How to clean plantation shutters
Very little work, but the wrong cleaner will damage the finish and void the warranty.
Thermalite shutters need almost nothing — they will not crack, warp or yellow, and the finish is designed to be wiped. What matters is doing it regularly and not reaching for the wrong product.
Two rules that are warranty conditions, not suggestions. No harsh chemicals or abrasives. No ammonia-based cleaners. Monthly cleaning is a condition of the Thermalite warranty — see the full terms.
Inside the house
- Weekly: run a vacuum brush attachment along the louvres. It reaches the high panels without a ladder and stops dust becoming grime, which is the thing that actually takes effort to remove.
- Monthly: a soft dry duster over every louvre, top and bottom.
- As needed: fingerprints and marks come off with a damp cloth and, if required, a mild detergent or dishwashing liquid.
- Hardware: a light spray of silicone on hinges keeps them moving freely.
Tilt the louvres fully one way, clean that face, tilt them the other way and do the reverse. It is faster than trying to get both sides at once and you miss less.
Outside
- Hose external shutters down regularly and wash with a mild soap solution. Salt and airborne pollutants are what degrade an external finish, and rinsing removes both.
- Do not use a high-pressure hose. It can force water into the mechanism and damage the finish.
- Near the coast, clean more often than monthly — and check that stainless steel hinges and screws were used, because anything else voids the warranty in a coastal area.
What not to use
Avoid
Ammonia-based cleaners, abrasive creams or pads, solvent-based sprays, bleach, and anything marketed as a heavy-duty degreaser. All of them attack the paint finish.
Use
A soft dry duster, a vacuum brush head, a damp microfibre cloth, and mild dishwashing liquid in warm water if something needs more than water.
Care instructions for blinds and Elegant Shades, which are different again, are on our product care page.
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