Guides
Looking after plantation shutters: a simple care guide
Plantation shutters are low-maintenance, not no-maintenance. A few minutes now and then keeps them moving smoothly and looking right, and heads off the wear that turns into a repair bill later. Here is all it really takes.
By the Shutter Installation team · Updated 10 July 2026
Dusting and cleaning
Dust with a dry microfibre cloth or a soft brush, tilting the louvres to reach both faces.
For marks, a barely-damp cloth is plenty. Wring it out well, shutters do not like standing water.
Skip harsh cleaners, solvents and furniture polish; they can dull or damage the finish.
Keep the movement sweet
Open and close the louvres through their full range now and then rather than always leaving them in one position, it keeps the tilt mechanism free. If a panel starts to feel stiff or a louvre will not hold its angle, that is the moment to have it looked at, before it wears into something bigger.
Bathrooms and kitchens
In damp rooms, wipe away condensation from the sill and slats rather than letting it sit, and open the shutters to let the window dry. Timber shutters can swell if repeatedly left wet; if yours are in a consistently damp spot, moisture-resistant material is worth considering when the time comes.
The small checks that save money
A louvre that has started to droop or stick, caught early, is a quick re-tension.
A hinge that is beginning to catch is easier to sort than one that has seized.
A tilt rod staple working loose is a two-minute fix before the rod comes away entirely.