If you’ve just purchased some shutters for your home – you’ll know how great they are at tying a room together. But, in order to maintain their clean, sleek finish, you need to keep them looking as fresh as a daisy.
It might sound simple enough, but cleaning your shutters the wrong way can cause damage to their material and functionality. Find out how to clean shutters yourself at home, as well as what mistakes to avoid with Solaire Blinds and our vast blinds-related expertise, below.
How to clean shutters the right way
Keeping your shutters clean doesn’t have to be a chore. To help prevent mishaps occurring, we’ve outlined the top five mistakes people make when cleaning shutters below – as well as what you should be doing.
Cleaning all types of shutters the same way
One mistake many people make when it comes to cleaning their shutters is treating all types of shutters alike. Wood, vinyl, and composite shutters must be treated individually, otherwise, you risk damaging their material. For example, harsh chemicals can wear down the natural shine and finish of wood.
Solaire’s top tip: With wooden blinds and shutters, regularly use a microfibre cloth to remove dust and debris from louvres and windowsills. Vinyl and composite materials can be frequently cleaned with a damp microfiber cloth using warm, soapy water. Ensure the cloth is wrung out as excessive moisture can do more harm than good.
For more stubborn stains, a solution with equal parts white vinegar and water will work for wood shutters with a drop of mild dish soap. Tough marks on vinyl and composite shutters can be removed with a solution made up of a quarter white vinegar and three quarters water. For all materials, dry the shutters with a fresh cloth afterwards.
Using abrasive cloths
It might seem tempting to use a scourer or the rough side of a sponge when cleaning your shutters to remove difficult stains, but doing so can scratch the material’s surface and dull its finish.
Solaire’s top tip: Microfibre cloths are always the best option when it comes to cleaning shutters. Mostly because they’re a non-abrasive material which makes them safe to use on delicate surfaces. In fact, studies have shown that microfibre cloths can remove up to 99.9% of bacteria when used with water alone.
Despite their sensitivity, microfibre cloths are still effective at removing tough stains. Thanks to their positive and negatively-charged properties, they attract and pull stains from the surfaces they come into contact with. If you’re interested in finding out how to clean roller blinds, vertical blinds or roller blinds, take a look at our blog.
Ignoring hard-to-reach corners
No one wants to spend much of their time cleaning. But, if you don’t spend time doing it thoroughly, it might mean you ignore hard-to-reach corners. As a result, grime and dirt could build up in these areas and be tougher to remove.
Solaire’s top tip: From the first day your shutters are fitted, you need to keep on top of a good cleaning routine with them. This means cleaning them regularly, and thoroughly.
To reach hidden spots and smaller spaces, use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment. If you don’t have one of these, you can use a long feather duster instead, then wipe down with a microfibre cloth.
Cleaning on sunnier days
Another mistake many make without realising is cleaning their shutters on sunnier days. Direct and harsh sunlight can dry any cleaning solutions you use too quickly, which can result in streaks and even damage the wood shutters.
Solaire’s top tip: Cloudy weather is frequent in the UK, so opt to clean on one of these days instead.
This will mean the solutions you use dry at a slower rate, and therefore have more time to evaporate – minimising the risk of streaks and water spots. If you must clean on a sunny day, try to clean the shutters in sections instead. And for information on the best blinds for summer weather, take a look at our blog.
How do shutter blinds work?
Shutter blinds work by using tiltable louvres, otherwise known as slats that are flexible yet sturdy.
Tilting shutters up opens the slats and allows light flow into your home and vice versa. Thanks to their versatility and traditional aesthetic, they’re a popular choice with many homeowners.
How to close shutter blinds
Shutter blinds typically come with a rod that rotates – allowing you to open and close them depending on which way you tilt the rod.
At Solaire Blinds, you can choose between opening and closing your louvre slats with or without tilt rods. These rods either run down the centre of the shutter panel, or you can have them placed at the side to provide a neater finish.
When you purchase shutters from Solaire Blinds, you can choose between either. Or, if you’re looking for an even simpler choice, our Easy Tilt option means you’re able to open and close the slats with your fingertips.
How to measure for shutter blinds installation
To measure for shutter blinds installation, you need to measure within your window frame recess. At three various points – the top, middle and bottom of your window – you’ll need to measure the width and height. This might seem odd, but it ensures the measurements you record are accurate. Next, record the smallest width and height measurements.
To ensure ultimate precision, take away a small measurement (typically 3-5 millimetres or 1/8-1/4 inch) from the recorded width and height measurements. This offers leverage between the shutters and the window frame for a smooth operation. For more information on measuring for blinds, check out our guide.
Come Down to a Solaire Blinds Showroom to See for Yourself
Buying a product online and viewing it in person are two different things, which is why our blinds showrooms in Wakefield and Leeds display the best of our window blinds to all customers who need to see to believe.
One of our showroom blinds experts will guide you through our wide range of blinds, fabrics, and styles. Gain an insight into our best heat retaining blinds, like our thrillingly innovative reflective roller blinds which prevent heat loss when it’s cooler, and protect your home from strong direct sunlight when it’s hot.
Book a Free Design Consultation Today
Our free design service helps our customers choose the perfect blinds or shutters for their homes. At Solaire Blinds, our range of window blinds and window coverings is extensive, giving you the choice to pick from a wide range of fabrics and textiles.
Those living throughout the North West can receive a visit from a Solaire representative, if they’d rather design their blinds at home. An expert from our team will measure your space and ensure the sizing is right for your room. Our staff are as friendly as they are experienced, and are more than qualified to provide a design consultation that takes your unique requirements into account.
To book your free design consultation, and take advantage of a Solaire no-obligation quote, contact us at your earliest convenience.
