During the process of general cleaning, many housewives wonder how to remove the blinds so as not to damage their structure. Although the canvases are coated with a special impregnation that repels dirt and grease, they still need thorough cleaning from time to time. In this review we will look at methods for dismantling various structures.
At home, slats (plates) can be cleaned with a damp cloth or special brushes without detaching them from the curtain rod. It is recommended to remove them when they are heavily soiled.
Step-by-step instructions for dismantling blinds
Before removing the blinds, you must thoroughly clean them of dust. Otherwise, you only risk polluting the house more, since all the uncleaned dust will rise into the air and settle on all surfaces surrounding the window. After cleaning, you can proceed to the actual dismantling of the blinds.
Dismantling the horizontal structure
This is more difficult to do than in the previous case. First, it is recommended to determine what type of fastening is used.
Removal instructions for different types of fasteners
- L-fasteners. The system is held in place by two plastic clips that go under the cornice. To move them, the base wall is carefully bent towards you. Press with a finger. Now the mount can be removed without any problems. It will be more convenient to work if you bend the elements with a nail file or a thin flat screwdriver.
- Mini clamps. Used only for small products. To dismantle it is necessary to move the fastener to the side.
- Narrow twist holder. The structure is held in place by a screw fastener and the part rotates around the bolt. To gain access to it, the part is moved towards you with your fingers from above. If that doesn’t work, use a thin screwdriver to pry up its lower part. The latch is moved in a clockwise direction.
- Wide twist holder. The strongest of all known fastenings. Similar to the narrow variety, but the plate is much wider. The latch is removed in the same way: it is pryed off with a screwdriver and moved.
After determining the type of fastener, disassembly begins.
How to remove horizontal blinds
- Remove the decorative covers from all fasteners.
- Carefully remove the brackets that fixed the curtain to the horizontal surface.
- Raise the upper plates and release the upper latches. We pull them towards us and turn them slightly to the right. At the same time, pull the slats down and press them a little.
- We gradually release all the plates.
- We fix the brackets in place after all the plates have been removed.
If for some reason this method does not work, the product is dismantled along with the brackets. According to the manufacturer’s recommendation, it is secured with metal corners, which are “seated” on hexagon self-tapping screws. First unscrew the upper fasteners, then the lower ones and carefully remove the curtain.
Learning to remove vertical blinds
To understand how to remove blinds, you need to understand their structure. In the case of vertical blinds, the model is placed on a cornice, and plugs are attached to both sides to secure the entire structure.
Typically, such blinds are installed in public places (for example, in schools, offices), but they can also be found in simple houses and apartments.
To dismantle vertical blinds, you need:
- Remove the plugs by removing them from the cornice
- Gently pull the chain connecting all the blinds blocks and pull them out
- After removing the main structure, remove all the slats one by one
After the work has been done, you can safely carry out wet cleaning. It is worth noting that such blinds in some cases (depending on the material) can be washed in a washing machine, but most housewives prefer to clean them with a simple brush.
How to carefully unhook the strips (lamellas)?
There are craftsmen who clean blinds without removing them from the window, but such cleaning cannot be called complete. To effectively remove dirt from them, they need to be removed and washed.
In fact, this procedure is quite simple. You just need to understand its essence and cope with the first strip of blinds. After successfully removing it from the clamp, the process will go very quickly.
The main task that an inexperienced person faces is not to damage the clamps and the strips themselves. To do this, you must strictly follow the sequence of actions:
- Rotate the slats (blind strips) so that they are in the “open” position. To do this, a chain of command is used.
- Remove the guide chain from both sides of the bottom weight of each lamella.
- Remove the weights from the strip. This is what weight bars are called.
- Remove each strip from the curtain rod. The upper part of the lamella is grabbed near the slider and slightly turned, lifting it up by 3-5 mm. There should be a characteristic click. Then the strip is bent towards the long part of the fastening clip and sharply pulled down.
If everything is done correctly, the strip should remain in the person’s hands. A simplified description of the procedure is as follows: “lift, move the plug to the side, pull sharply.”
If the blinds do not turn, the reason lies in a broken guide. Trying to remove the closed strips is strictly prohibited. To troubleshoot problems, you need to call a technician.
Learning to remove horizontal blinds
The next type of blinds, unlike vertical blinds, is more often found in apartments and private houses than in offices and other public places.
Therefore, housewives encounter them in most such cases. When dismantling, the slats of such blinds may bend, which will lead to the formation of a crease.
This feature forces people to act extremely carefully when dismantling:
- Using a screwdriver, you need to disconnect the slats from the structure. This can be done by removing the fasteners on the top bar.
- Remove various decorative elements (panels, covers) from the structure
- Dismantle the entire remaining structure
The main thing is to prevent the formation of creases and tangling of the slats, as this leads to damage to the blinds and the impossibility of their further full use.
How to hang it back?
It is not difficult to hang the blinds back after washing, since the procedure for removing them has already been mastered.
The procedure is the same, but in the opposite direction:
- holding the lamella at the base, turn it sideways;
- the loop is inserted between the clamps - a characteristic click will indicate that it has taken its place;
- proceed in the same way with all strips;
- When the slats are hung, weights are installed and chains are attached to them.
All that remains is to enjoy the look of the washed blinds and the freshness in the room.
Learning to remove wooden blinds
This type of blinds is quite rare. In addition, it does not allow the use of various wet tools when cleaning, as this can damage the wood. Dismantling such blinds is similar to the above.
- The most important thing is to find the place where the blinds are attached (on the top of the structure). Afterwards, you need to pull the fasteners/unscrew the fastenings with a screwdriver (depending on the type of model) and carefully remove the blinds, stacking the slats on top of each other to avoid damage.
- At the end of the work, you should clean the slats with a dry cloth, brush, or vacuum cleaner. Dismantling wooden blinds is much easier than metal ones, because the slats cannot bend and there is no possibility of creases forming.
In addition, such blinds have many other advantages, including environmental friendliness, health safety and others.
Removing cassette roller blinds
To fix roller shutters, magnetic holders or especially strong double-sided tape are usually used. In some cases, the roll is hidden under a cassette or secured with brackets.
Before removing roller blinds, determine how the fastening is done:
- The magnets are simply separated from each other and the curtain is washed.
- To remove the tape, pry it over the edge with the sharp edge of a knife or nail scissors and carefully peel it off. The remaining glue is wiped off with alcohol.
- Rolls attached to the bracket are removed according to the same principle as horizontal ones. In this case, it is important to understand how the holder is fixed.
- To remove the cassette fasteners, first pull out the side plugs. This element is intended for decoration and can be easily snapped off. After this, they determine where the mechanism that folds and unfolds the curtain is located. From this side, take out the gear and pull out the roll with the curtain to the side. Then remove the roller shutter from the pipe.
Learning to remove roller blinds
Roller blinds or roller blinds are a popular option among housewives due to the ease of installation of the design. Such blinds are attached to the surface using double-sided tape or magnets.
This greatly simplifies the task of dismantling them:
- Unhook the fasteners from the surface
- Remove the caps to protect the rotating mechanism
- Pull out the mechanism itself (gears and rollers)
- Remove the roll cassette
At the end of work, it is recommended to clean the blinds from dust, but not in the washing machine, as it can damage the roll cassette
Useful tips
To prevent the process of removing vertical blinds from becoming a serious challenge, you need to take into account the following tips:
- Before purchasing blinds, you should ask the seller about possible ways to wash them. You should definitely ask a consultant to show you how to properly remove the strips from the mount and hang them back.
- Don't pull the strips down too hard. Movements should be sharp, but without applying significant effort.
- In order not to tear off the lamella along with the slider, you need to grab it in close proximity to the hook.
- It is not recommended to wash blinds too often. They need to be removed once a year, or as needed (in the presence of heavy contamination). In other cases, it is enough to limit yourself to wet cleaning. You can get rid of dust using a vacuum cleaner.
- When removing the slats, you have to climb to a higher elevation. Standing on the windowsill is not recommended. It is better to use a sturdy stool or a reliable table. The support should not be shaky.
Any elements tend to wear out during active use. This applies to all components of blinds. In order not to damage the fastenings, you need to remove the slats from them as rarely as possible.
You will find maximum useful information about washing clothes and various fabric products here.
Breakdowns when dismantling blinds
Blinds are a complex design that contains many small parts that perform a specific task. This does not allow a person to carry out repairs using available materials, and most parts will need to be purchased.
During dismantling, various breakdowns often occur. Most often, such problems arise due to the carelessness of the user of the blinds, but this can also be affected by the quality of the design itself.
The most common breakdowns:
- Damaged chain. A new one can be purchased in specialized stores. Afterwards, it is necessary to disassemble the mechanism and install the chain, having first removed the damaged one.
- Broken shoulder. Replaced with a new one by dismantling the structure. The new part must match the size of the blinds slats.
- Not working fasteners/clamps. You can buy it in hardware stores (depending on the model of the blinds). Replacement occurs in the same way as dismantling the hanger.
- Faulty slider. Just like the chain, it is purchased in specialized stores. It is necessary to disassemble the control mechanism and put a new part in place of the faulty one, and reassemble the structure.
Possible difficulties
Difficulties in removing blinds may arise for people who do not fully understand how to remove the slats from the mount. The main problem is a strip stuck in the center of the mounting clip . This is due to the fact that the lamella was not removed sharply enough.
To correct the situation, you need to return the strip to its place by lifting it up and repeat the procedure again. If you continue to pull the blind downwards, the fastening may be damaged.
Sometimes the process of removing blinds from the eaves is complicated by the fact that it is impossible to get close to the window.
If you pull them from afar, the likelihood of damage to the product increases. Therefore, it is better to move the furniture than to pay for the repair of the entire structure. Another difficulty that you may encounter is clamp jamming .
If this happens not with one, but with all fasteners, it is possible that there was a manufacturing defect. In this case, you need to contact the store where the purchase was made. You need to turn the slats until they open completely. In relation to the window they should be located at an angle of 90 degrees. Hands can get very tired and numb when working with blinds. There is no need to rush and quickly pull the slats so as not to break them. It’s better to go downstairs, rest and calmly continue the process of extracting the strips.
Installing blinds on a window with your own hands
After dismantling and carrying out the necessary manipulations, people usually want to install the blinds back on the window. This is not particularly difficult to do, because all the steps have already been completed.
You just need to do them in reverse order. It is important that the blinds are kept dry throughout the installation process.
This will prevent excess dust from settling on them. For the same reason, it is recommended that the window on which the structure is installed be tightly closed.
What to do if the fasteners are broken?
If the fasteners were broken due to careless removal of the strips, you can deal with the problem yourself . First you need to go to the store and purchase clamps of similar size.
They are available in all retail outlets that manufacture and sell blinds. In order not to make a mistake with your choice, it is better to take one mount with you.
First you need to remove it from the guide. If the outermost holder is broken, then there should be no difficulties .
When the fastening located in the middle of the blinds has been damaged, you will need to disassemble them completely by removing the chain. To get to the damaged element, the fastenings surrounding it are removed from the cornice along with the strips.
The lamella is removed only from the damaged holder according to the scheme described above . You need to act carefully so that the damaged plastic element does not tear the fabric strip. After purchasing the desired element, a lamella is inserted into it and the shoulder is returned to its place. All that remains is to hang the blinds back.
The cost of a new slider is about 15 rubles. To avoid having to go to the store several times, you can purchase several of these clamps at once.
Repairing fasteners yourself is not difficult . The services of a master will cost at least 100 rubles per 1 element. At the same time, he will definitely take money for a home visit.
The average rate in Russia is 600 rubles. Thus, repairing one runner will cost 700 rubles. It is much cheaper to buy and install it yourself.
Recommendations for caring for blinds
To make the procedure for dismantling blinds easier in the future and not to replace broken parts with new ones, you should know a couple of tips for caring for the structure.
- First, find out about specialty stores in the area and what they offer. This will help reduce the time it takes to fix a breakdown.
- Secondly, clean the slats regularly. Also, if you are not confident in your skills, do not dismantle the structure, limit yourself to dry cleaning.
- Thirdly, do not install fabric blinds in rooms with high moisture content and strong odors (for example, in the kitchen).
The lamella material quickly absorbs any liquid and retains various aromas for a long time. To avoid such problems, choose metal blinds.
Removing curtains with ceiling mounts
Horizontal models, roller and cassette curtains are usually attached to the wall above the window opening or to a metal-plastic structure. Only vertical blinds can have ceiling mounting. In this case, tapes made of fabric or other material are removed in the usual way, but if necessary, the cornice to which they are attached can also be removed for cleaning.
This part of the blinds is secured with several latches along its entire length. They are not visible from the side of the room, but they are clearly visible from the inside in the form of protruding parts. It is necessary to press hard on these protrusions so that the part gives way and separates from the cornice. This allows you to remove the cornice while leaving the piece attached to the ceiling.
Important!
If the cornice is short and secured only at the ends, the fastenings are removed one by one, holding the part with your free hand.
For long curtain rods with numerous fastenings, they are disconnected alternately from each side, gradually moving towards the center. In this case, you will probably need outside help to remove the last fastener.
Photo instructions on how to remove blinds yourself
Vertical products
These versions of blinds appeared a little later than the previous ones, but they are also very much in demand.
The only drawback is their horizontal location, since dust will accumulate a little faster.
But this is not a problem, since they are not so difficult to remove, you can do it in 5-10 minutes:
- First, separate the tape from the clips, then unfasten the lower slats.
- Fold the tape, do this by carefully twisting it and securing it with a piece of tape, in this case it will not unwind back.
- Pull back all the slats; if you pull them back with a sharp movement, they will easily come out of their fastenings.
- Finally, you need to remove the cornice; to do this, unscrew the corners and after that it is simply removed.
Removing heavy dirt and stains
Before washing, each fabric strip of blinds must be carefully inspected for stains.
Very strong stains and stubborn stains can be removed using the following methods:
- Ammonia refreshes and removes stains. It is necessary to dilute a bottle of ammonia in 10 liters of water and soak the fabric slats in the resulting solution. If necessary, especially dirty stains are wiped again with a sponge soaked in ammonia solution.
- Citric acid is an effective remedy for removing stubborn tea or coffee stains. To work, dilute one sachet of citric acid powder in 10 liters of water, moisten a sponge in the resulting product and carefully wipe the stain on the slats.
- Ammonia and baking soda will help remove old, stubborn ink stains. You need to mix baking soda (1 tablespoon) with ammonia to form a liquid slurry, apply the resulting product to a cloth and thoroughly wipe the stain on the fabric strip.
- Vinegar is good for cleaning colored blinds. The vinegar solution will help remove stains while maintaining the brightness of the fabric slats. To work, you need to dilute 3 tablespoons in 10 liters of water. vinegar, soak fabric strips in the resulting solution. After half an hour, the lamellas are taken out, rinsed in clean water and hung out to dry.
Device
More often, manufacturers offer to purchase ready-made devices. However, you often have to assemble the curtains yourself. At the same time, structurally the products have the same mechanisms. The individual elements can be divided into 3 groups. The top consists of several parts:
- movable axis;
- cornice;
- brackets;
- clamps;
- rotating device;
- decorative strip.
The middle consists of lamellas and a cord, with the help of which the slats are assembled into a single web.
The lower part includes a cornice with decorative end elements.
The principle of their operation is to regulate the flow of light by turning the slats at different angles relative to the street.
In addition to turning, you can raise the canvas to the level of the cornice. The main thing is that the lamellas are turned to a horizontal position. How to lower the blinds? A cord will help with this issue. To avoid problems, you should manipulate the devices smoothly and without haste. Any sudden jerk can lead to various types of damage.
Installation
After washing the blinds, you need to return them to their place, which will also require some effort.
- To fix the blinds in the plastic mount, you need to put the latch back in place, just not from the side, as when removing it, but from the top, pressing it until it clicks.
- The cornice is put on the metal fastening with tongues in the reverse order. First, the side of the cornice that is closer to the window is inserted into the mount, and then the other side is removed and raised to the mount. Now you can loosen the applied force and the cornice will be fixed in the fastener.
- The cornice is inserted into the twist brackets and the tongue is returned to its place.
- If the fastening was made with self-tapping screws, then they simply need to be screwed into the existing holes. You shouldn’t clamp it too hard, as they can turn in the thin wall of the window frame. Return the fishing line to its place, tighten and secure it, and then install the decorative covers.
Common causes of breakdown
The curtain mechanism itself or individual stationary elements may break.
Causes:
- Expiration of service life, resulting in destruction of fragile structural elements of the blinds.
- Fabric surfaces or slats wear out as a result of mechanical contact with cleaning agents, sponges, improper use, etc.
- Due to the sun or frequent contact with abrasive, chemically active detergents and cleaning agents, the color of the elements changes, which significantly spoils the visual picture.
- If repairs turn out to be expensive, which is comparable to the purchase of a new design, then it is more rational to buy and install other blinds.
- Unintentional or intentional aggressive contacts with the curtain structure as a result of children, pets, etc. playing.
- Over time, the design loses its attractiveness and relevance, like an obsolete element of the interior.
- Breakdown of individual parts or mechanisms that require minor repairs.
Attention Often, breakdowns occur as a result of poor-quality materials from which the blinds are made. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully choose the manufacturer and not save on this type of curtains.
Replacing the control chain
The design of the control chain is the same as that of the lower connecting chain. If you pull it sharply, sooner or later it will inevitably tear. Replacing the control circuit is also not difficult, but one condition must be met: before disassembling the sliders for replacement, they must be set to the open position. Then:
- Determine the length of the new chain. It is equal to the length of the lamellas.
- Unscrew the side cover on the cornice and take out the plastic gear.
- We remove the damaged chain and insert a new one in its place.
- We return the gear to its place.
- We put the side cover on the cornice and check how each lamella turns.
The control chain is closed in a circle with a special plastic lock
