How to Clean Louvered Wood Closet Doors

Louvered doors

Louvered doors are usually made of wood, while blinds and shutters are readily available of wood or polymer construction. Louvers are often described by the width of their slats - common slat sizes are 2 and 3 inches. Because louvers are slanted with slats laid close each other, dust easily accumulates between the slats. The design of louvers leads to extra labor and requires cleaning tools ideally suited to clean louvered wood closet doors.

Things You'll Need

• Long handled cleaning tool with magnetic fiber dust cloth
• Spray bottle of wood cleaner
• White hand towel

Instructions

1. Dust louvers first, opening the louvers completely, so that the slats are horizontal. Stand on one side of the louvered door and thoroughly dust each slat, one at a time, with a hand held duster - preferably one containing a magnetic dust cloth. Disposable dust cloths easily found in grocery stores and other retail outlets work well. Dust in a brisk circular motion.

2. 

   Dust masks can be helpful

   Move to the other side of the louvered door and repeat the dusting procedure. Flick the dusting cloth over the sides of the louvers as well. Consider wearing a dust mask to control allergies if dust is a health concern.

3. Take a look at the louvers and determine if a good dusting job is all they needed. If the louvers look like they could use a more thorough cleaning, use a spray on wood cleaner. Not to be confused with wood polish, a spray on wood cleaner is meant to clean the wood, not simply polish it. Hold the spray bottle 6 inches away from the wood and spritz lightly with rapid sprays. Avoid over applying wood cleaner.

4. 

   Use a lint-free, white towel

   Clean one louver at a time by spritzing and following up by wiping away the wood cleaner while simultaneously cleaning the wood. After wiping the wood cleaner off, slide a white, lint-free cleaning towel between the louvers. Slide the towel back and forth, holding each end of the towel, shimmying it over each slat as you work your way down the entire door.

Tips & Warnings

• Dip a Q-tip into water and use it to reach small crevices where dirt or dust resides.

References

• Mrs. Clean USA: How to Clean Doors
• University of Oregon Health Center: House Dust Allergies

Resources

• Natural Organic Baby: Natural Wood Cleaners