Caring for Your Shutters
So, you’ve made the smart investment in a gorgeous new set of shutters? Now it’s time to protect that investment. Many homeowners are anxious at the thought of taking care of their new shutters as they’ve paid a higher price for the class and durability they provide and would like them to last. The truth is that there is absolutely no need to obsess over shutter care, however, it is important to keep a few things in mind during and after the design and installation processes to maintain their beauty and functionality. To give you a better idea of just what you need to focus on to keep your shutters in good condition, we’ve compiled a list of the top three tips for taking care of your shutters. Refer to the list below for a quick guide to getting the most out of your new shutters.
- Consider placement
Although authentic wood shutters are resistant to sun damage and therefore great for living areas, they’re also highly susceptible to water damage. This means that you should probably stick to vinyl in areas like the kitchen and bathrooms that are messier and leave authentic wood for other areas of your home.
- Clean often
Dust that is left on a shutter for too long will eventually end up damaging the color and texture of the panels. Paying attention to the condition of your shutters and implementing the proper cleaning methods when they’re getting a bit dusty will help you sustain the life of your shutters.
For wood shutters, dusting is the most effective and safe cleaning method. If your wood shutters are painted, you may wash them in place by dipping a brush in detergent and water then running it along the panels while paying attention to creases within the smaller pieces as well. Once you have washed your painted wood shutters, you will rinse and dry them with a cloth.
There are a couple of options for cleaning vinyl shutters. If you’re looking to conduct a quick cleaning, start by putting on a pair of cleaning gloves and mixing 1 tsp of ammonia with 1 quart of water. From here, you’ll dip a cloth into the solution and run it along the top and bottoms of the panels and small pieces. For a deep clean, remove the blinds and hang them in your shower or lay them in your bath. Next, wash each slat with a sponge dipped in warm, soapy water or an ammonia solution. Once the wash is complete, rinse them with clear water or a clean sponge, dry them then put them back carefully.
- Use gently
Although shutters are the most durable window fixture available, they can be broken if treated roughly. Make sure that both you and your family handle your shutters with care by gently opening and closing them and fastening them when they’re open to avoid banging.
Now that you know how simple taking care of shutters really is, you can stop the stressing and obsessing over protecting your investment and simply enjoy your new shutters. These were our top three tips that we have found to be effective in sustaining shutter life. Are there any tips you would like to add? Leave a comment to share your shutter care tips with other subscribers.
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