If you live in warm tropical regions and you are wondering what kind of shutter would give you the best in terms of aesthetics and durability, you would be in very good hands with plantation shutters. In some circles, they are called California Shutters and this is probably because they are the popular option in that region. Beyond the stunning visual effect, people go for plantation shutters because of its practicality too.
Benefits of Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters allow you to control the airflow in and out of your home. So, on days that heat or wind is extreme on the outside, you could just shut it and that would be the end of it. It also allows you to control how light enters into your space. People who use the traditional windows that are decorated with blinds and curtains have to work with fabric, colour and technical insight in order to get the right amount of light into a room. Plantation shutters simply open up your space and let the light in. And if you feel that the light is too much, again, you simply shut them down. This ease of use is one of the things that makes them a popular option.
People with homes that have large windows would maximize the benefits of all that space with plantation shutters. For homes with windows located in tricky places, getting good window options that gives you a great view without the need to change or move internal fixtures may seem difficult. Thankfully, plantation shutters have multiple options when functionality is a priority in your design. You can either go for fixed plantations or sliding plantations. If your space allows it, you can opt for bifold plantations. Hinged plantations offer you more flexibility in terms of movement. A plantation shutter expert can help you decide on what works best for your space so, contact a specialist close to you to get a second opinion.
Having moved on from deciding on the best type of shutter for you, it is also important to consider maintenance. The major gripe people have with plantation shutters is the extra work they think it requires to keep them squeaky clean and good looking all year round. This is why we have put up these quick and easy steps on how to clean your plantation shutters.
How to Clean Your Plantation Shutters
- First, get your cleaning gear together
A feather duster or a dry cloth, vacuum, and a toothbrush are the basic tools for this chore. For better post cleaning result, you may want to add a spray furniture polish to your list. - After assembling the items that you need, the first thing to start with is the feather duster
This gets the dirt out of the way faster. Alternatively, you could wipe the louvres with a dry cloth. It is very important that you skip the moisture throughout the cleaning process to prevent rot and other kinds of damage from setting in. - The next step is to vacuum any additional dust on your shutters
Sometimes, you can encounter really stubborn dust that appears to be glued to the shutters. Gently and diligently running the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner over the shutters would get rid of them perfectly clean.
At this point, you should have clean shutters but to ensure that the job is perfect, these extra tips would come in handy.
Between the feather duster and vacuum cleaner, you should have a “dust be gone” moment. But there are tricky areas and hard to reach corners that neither of these tools can reach. This is where the toothbrush comes in. Reach into those corners with the toothbrush to clean out those spaces. When you are satisfied with the results, finish off with the spray furniture polish for that extra shine.
Keeping your shutters clean all year round means that you have to schedule frequent shutter cleaning. If for some reason you have missed a few months in between the last clean and you are worried about the grime you are seeing, do not be tempted to wet it down with soap and water. Yes, it would get it clean but it would also damage your shutters. Instead, fill a bowl with white vinegar, dip your cleaning cloth into it and squeeze it until it becomes damp instead of just wet. Use this to wipe down your shutters until you get the desired effect. You may have to repeat this process several times but the result is worth it.
Want to know more about cleaning and maintaining your plantation shutters? Contact your local plantation shutter specialist today.
