A Plantation Shutters Guide For Cleaning Professionals
Hey, cleaning pros! Ready to conquer the world of plantation shutter cleaning?
We’ve got your back with a simple yet powerful guide. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting, we’ll walk you through the steps. From the nitty-gritty of the cleaning process to handling those delicate parts with care, and finally, making sure you leave those shutters looking their best.
Let’s make your client’s windows shine bright!
Mastering the Cleaning Process
Depending on how soiled your client’s shutters are, you are going to need a few items to help you get the job done. The good thing- you probably already have most of them in your tool bag.
When cleaning plantation shutters, you will need:
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- a duster
- a soft cloth
- water
- a mild-solution cleaning liquid (make sure to not use any harsh abrasives)
- a stool or ladder to reach the top.
- a magic eraser if your clients have poly-resin shutters.
Cleaning interior shutters is a breeze! Start by using a duster to get rid of any dust or cobwebs. Once the initial cleaning is done, this might be the only step that needs to be repeated on a bi-weekly basis to keep the shutters looking beautiful.
For an initial cleaning, or any areas prone to fingerprints or grease, you have to take your cleaning a step further. Mix a bit of mild cleaner with water, and use a soft cloth to wipe down each slat. Pay extra attention to the corners. If you’re cleaning wood shutters, it’s very important to wipe away any water residue so it doesn’t affect the wood.
If you encounter any stubborn stains, you can use a magic eraser to gently remove the stains from the shutter.
Handling with Care – Parts that demand attention
There are two common mistakes from cleaning people that lead to repair calls within our industry:
1. Hitting the tilt bar or clear-view bar
Depending on the design choices of your clients, there will be either a bar running vertically in the front of the shutter or the back of the shutter. This bar is connecting all the louvers in a section to move together. A common mistake we see cleaning professionals make, while they’re cleaning the shutter louvers (or slats) is that they hit this bar with full force from this side. This action will kick out the connectors from the louvers, leading to a louver spinning freely from the other louvers in the shutter. To avoid this from happening, it is important to be careful when cleaning the area around this bar. This is especially important when you’re dusting with a duster.
2. Tilting louvers on arches the wrong way
The second reason we get called out for repairs is when the client has an arched top. Unlike a square shutter that can tilt freely in both up and down directions, the last louvers on an arched top have limited movement. Forcing them to move past their limit will result in broken louvers. To avoid this, don’t force the shutter to move in a direction that provides resistance. This is most likely an indicator that the shutter is used incorrectly.
Leaving a lasting impression
The final touch is crucial for client satisfaction.
After cleaning, adjust the shutters to their natural, open position to showcase the entire window. Ensure all slats are aligned, giving the shutters a uniform and polished appearance.
What does natural position mean? The best way to stage plantation shutters is to let the slats tilt slightly up. This gives the homeowner privacy from the outside looking in as well as the best view-through. By tilting the louvers up, you’re also making sure that the UV rays coming in through the windows get directed up toward the ceiling, instead of damaging flooring and furniture. As a professional cleaner, your clients mustn’t walk into their homes feeling the need to walk around “fixing it” after you’ve done the service. Instead, it should leave an impression of being clean, organized, and relaxing.
Lastly, don’t forget to inspect for any lingering streaks or spots and address them promptly. Leaving plantation shutters in impeccable condition reflects your commitment to providing a top-notch cleaning service.
