How to Clean Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters are one of the easiest window treatments to keep clean. No trips to the dry cleaner, no fiddly tracks, no specialist products. A quick dust once a week and a deeper clean a couple of times a year is all it takes to keep them looking like new. Here's exactly how to do it.

What You'll Need

• Microfiber cloth or feather duster

• Soft vacuum attachment (upholstery or dusting attachment)

• Damp cloth

• Mild dish soap

• Light lubricating oil (for hinges)

• Metal polish (optional)

• Toothbrush (for tight corners)

• Masking tape (when oiling hinges)

How Often Should You Clean Shutters?

Step 1: Dust the Louvres

Open the louvres as wide as possible. Starting at the top and working down, wipe each slat from the center outward so you're pushing dust away from the window rather than behind the shutter.

A microfiber cloth or feather duster works well for this. For tight corners and the tops of frames, a soft toothbrush gets into spots a cloth can't reach.

In a rush? Close the louvres flat and wipe straight across. It's not as thorough, but it keeps dust from building up between deeper cleans.

Step 2: Vacuum for a Deeper Clean

For a more thorough dust removal, use a vacuum with a soft upholstery or dusting attachment. Work from top to bottom, running the attachment along each louvre.

Never use a floor attachment on shutters — it can scratch or scuff the finish.

Step 3: Wipe Down With a Damp Cloth

For marks and everyday grime, a lightly dampened microfiber cloth is all you need. For greasier spots in kitchens, add a few drops of mild dish soap to warm water and wipe down, then rinse with a clean damp cloth.

Wood shutters

Keep moisture to a minimum. Wipe quickly and dry immediately after — leaving wood wet can cause warping or splitting.

Faux wood and polyvinyl shutters

These are waterproof, so you can use more water and wipe more freely. Still worth drying off afterward to avoid water spots.

Step 4: Treat Any Stains

Treat shutter stains the same way you'd treat any furniture. A damp cloth handles most marks. For stubborn stains, a mild cleaning product appropriate to the material should do the job.

For wood shutters, check that any cleaning product is safe for use on painted or stained wood before applying.

Step 5: Lubricate the Hinges

Twice a year, lubricate your shutter hinges with a light oil — the same way you'd maintain door hinges.

Use masking tape around the surrounding frame and finish to protect against drips. Wipe the hinges clean with a damp soft cloth after oiling, then check that all screws are tight. Finish with a small amount of metal polish for a clean, polished look.

Easy to Clean, Built to Last

Shutters are genuinely one of the lowest-maintenance window treatments you can buy. Most of the time a quick wipe is all they need. Compared to drapes, which need specialist cleaning and laundry trips, keeping shutters clean is something any homeowner can fit into their routine in minutes.

Keep on top of the dusting, lubricate the hinges twice a year, and your shutters will stay looking as good as the day they arrived.

Thinking about adding shutters to another room?

Our plantation shutters are custom-made, simple to install yourself, and built to last. Contact our team for advice.