If you’re one of many Melbourne homeowners who have invested in roller shutters for your home, you’re no doubt enjoying the many benefits they bring.

While your shutters are designed to weather the elements and perform well with minimal intervention from you, to maximise your investment, it’s important to give them a clean from time to time.

If you’ve looked at your shutters recently and decided they need a clean, but have no idea how or where to begin, Titan Shutters can help.

In this article, we’ll share our top tips for keeping your shutters looking and working like new. Learn why cleaning matters, what to use for cleaning and how to keep yourself safe while doing so.

Let’s get right to it.

Why Should I Clean My Roller Shutters?

Just as you care for other parts of your home, cleaning your roller shutters as part of your regular maintenance schedule is highly recommended.

Keeping the curtain of your shutter clean is a very important part of maintaining it and ensuring it can continue to operate properly. As they are outside and constantly exposed to the elements, shutters are prone to a build-up of natural deposits.

From spider webs to bird droppings, to dust, dirt and debris all of this and more is often seen on roller shutters.

It is important to remove these and avoid any other materials being stuck to your shutter curtain. If left uncleaned and maintained, you risk these being rolled up inside the pelmet, or getting stuck between slats or in the guides.

This can lead to damage to the shutter or its components which may then require costly repairs or replacement.

Do I Have To Clean Them?

We understand it can seem like a fairly arduous chore to clean every roller blind installed at your home.

While you do not have to clean them, choosing not to will decrease their longevity and increase the likelihood of damage or impaired performance over time.

How Often Do Roller Shutters Need Cleaning?

How often your shutters need cleaning will vary based on where you live or how exposed the shutters are.

Typically,  you should clean your shutters at least every 6 months in metro areas, every 4 months in rural areas, or every 2 months in coastal areas where salt deposits can cause corrosion.

However, if you notice a significant mess or any of the aforementioned build-up on your shutter, you should clean it off as soon as possible and avoid operating the shutter until this is done.

What Should I Use To Clean My Roller Shutters?

Thankfully, cleaning your shutters requires no special tools or potentially harmful chemicals. Most homeowners already have everything they need at home to manage this.

For effective cleaning, you will need the following:

• A hose with adjustable pressure, low-pressure is all that is needed
• A soft brush (we recommend an inside broom or dust-pan brush)
• A bucket of warm water
• Some mild detergent (we recommend liquid car wash)

Safety First – A Note About Electric Roller Shutters

At Titan Shutters, we install electric roller shutters. If you are cleaning electric roller shutters, we advise turning off the power from the electric box or power board beforehand.

This ensures that you have an extra level of protection whilst cleaning your shutters.

Additionally, when using a hose on your shutters, make sure not to point the hose into your pelmet. The pelmet houses the shutter’s motor, and it’s important that it’s kept dry as much as possible.

Cleaning Your Roller Shutters Step By Step

Once you have gathered your cleaning supplies, simply follow the below steps for a quick, easy and effective clean.

Step 1: Pre-rinse The Shutter

Close both the window and the shutter fully. Then, using a hose with the water running at a low to moderate pressure, gently rinse any loose dust and debris from the shutter curtain.

You may also like to gently brush the shutter down first, especially where cobwebs are present, as this stops them from sticking to the shutter once wet.

Step 2: Clean The Shutter With Detergent

Mix your mild detergent with a bucket of warm water, be careful not to use too much as this can leave a residue on your shutters.

Then, keeping the shutter fully down, use the detergent solution and a soft brush to gently clean your shutter.

You can use moderate pressure to scrub away any stubborn stains or spots where there’s a build-up of dirt and dust. Avoid scraping at or harshly rubbing any marks as this will scratch the slats.

Step 3: Repeat Steps1 and 2 With The Shutter Partially open

Open the shutter a little, so that the perforations between the slats are visible, but the curtain is still down.

Gently rinse again, then give the shutter another clean with the detergent solution and soft brush. This time, focus on the spots between the slats, ensuring that all remaining dust and dirt is cleaned from the curtain.

Step 4: Give The Shutter A Final Rinse

The second to last step in the cleaning process, you should now use your hose to give the shutter a final rinse. Be sure to remove all dislodged dust and dirt particles as well as any detergent residue.

Step 5: Allow Ample Drying Time

Lastly, allow your shutters to dry fully before using your wall switch or remote to put them back up.

Wet shutters should never be opened and coiled back into the pelmet box as this can introduce water into the motor within.

Keep Your Shutters At Their Best With Titan Shutters

By following these simple steps, it is easy to keep your shutters both looking and operating at their best.

Should you discover any concerns related to visible damage or the operation of your shutters during cleaning, we can help with this too.

Offering tailored services related to repairs and maintenance alongside the manufacturing and installation of roller blinds, we’re the experts you can trust.

If you have any questions or concerns related to the proper cleaning and maintenance of your roller shutters in Melbourne, simply get in touch with Titan Shutters at 1300 020 001.