Why are my shutters black??

[Decoratingsucks]

and how do I clean them?

I had white plantation shutters fitted last year and have only ever dusted them until now. I noticed the other day that the living room ones had black marks on - I assumed it was where my kids touch them. So today I thought I'd give them a wipe only to discover that they are black all over.

It's almost like newspaper print type smudges. I've tried cleaning with anti bac wipes but its almost like I'm just spreading it around. If I dry each slat off with kitchen roll it gets most of it off but there is still a slight residue in places.

Anybody know whats caused this? And whats the best (quickest) way to clean them up?

Weird. I have these and was told to only dust them with no product as anything more would take off the UV coating and make them discolour. Could it be to do with that?

Maybe contact the place you bought them with pictures?

No it’s definitely just filth 😳

Do you burn lots of candles??

Could it be Black mould?
It's more common in bathrooms and sometimes in bedrooms which are unventilated and damp.

I need to repaint one of my rooms thanks to a very smoky candle. Also my fireplace surround is covered in soot from candles. You'd think I would've learnt by now, but I'm looking at candles burning away as I type 🙄

It’s not mould like it’s just black filth. We are on a fairly busy road so my husband thought pollution but I rarely open the windows in the living room as we only use it in the evenings.

We do burn candles occasionally. Could that be it??

I think it is candles you know. We have two big ones that my husband burns if he’s eaten something smelly.

Yes likely to be from candles!

Google thermal tracking

Another vote for the candles! I couldn’t believe how much soot was on the tiles in our downstairs loo after a brief burning!