How to clean persianas and window tracks in a Spanish home
Roller shutters (persianas) and window tracks collect dust, salt and grit on the Costa del Sol. A safe, step-by-step way to clean them before the damp season.
· 2 min read
Why persianas and tracks get so dirty
Most Spanish homes have persianas, the roller shutters that keep out summer heat and winter draughts. Because they are open to the outside, they collect dust, pollen, sea salt and, after a calima, a fine layer of Saharan sand.
The same grit settles in the window tracks and in the shutter guides. Left alone, it mixes with condensation into a grey paste that makes windows hard to slide and shutters noisy.
Start dry, then go damp
Lower the shutter fully and brush or vacuum the slats first with a soft brush attachment, working from top to bottom. Removing loose dust before you add water avoids smearing it into the surface.
Then wipe each slat with a microfibre cloth wrung out in warm water with a few drops of mild washing-up liquid. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry. Avoid soaking the shutter box or the strap, as water can reach the mechanism.
Clean the tracks properly
Vacuum the window tracks with a crevice tool, then loosen what remains with an old toothbrush or a narrow brush. A cloth wrapped around a butter knife reaches the corners well.
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry. Check the small drainage slots in the outer frame: if they are blocked, rainwater cannot escape and may spill indoors during autumn storms.
Mind the material
Aluminium and PVC shutters and frames tolerate mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive pads, bleach and strong solvents, which can dull the finish or yellow white PVC.
Do not spray oil on the slats. If a shutter sticks or sounds rough, a silicone-based spray applied sparingly to the guides, following the manufacturer's advice, is safer than a general-purpose oil that attracts dust. A jammed or damaged shutter is a job for a specialist.
How often, and when to get help
A light dusting each month and a proper wash of shutters and tracks two or three times a year, ideally before the damp months and after the summer, keeps them in good order.
In a villa with many windows, upper floors or hard-to-reach shutters, this is slow work. Lavanda can include persianas and window tracks in a seasonal deep clean, so your home is ready for the winter.
