Repairing Mini Blinds

It is easy to repair mini blinds than you think even though you might be tempted to just toss them out if they start manufacturing. However they are usually quite easy to fix if they get jammed.

Before you start you will need some basic materials. Depending on what is wrong with the mini blind you might need replacement slats, replacement lift cords, ladder tape, ladder string, scissor or a utility knife.

Your first step is to repairing mini blinds is to take them out of the window lower the blind and then manipulate the slats so that they are in the fully open position using the cord or wand that makes the slat tilt open. Then remove the blind from its brackets and lay it flat on a large even work surface such as worktable. You are now ready to start repairing mini-blinds.

To take the blind apart remove the end caps on the upper and bottom rails so that the knots or clips that hold it together are revealed and you can see how the mechanism works. If you are replacing the string ladders then disconnect them from the rails. Otherwise all you have to do is remove the two lift cord ends, which are either knotted or clipped to the rail.

To remove any damaged slats and add new ones to the ladder lift both cords up through the slats as far as you can go and take them out. Then thread the cords again and secure them to the bottom rail. Replace the end caps and you are done.

However if you are replacing the lift cords or the string ladders, pull the cords as far as you can go to the top box. To replace them remove them from the tilt tube in the valance and slide them off the slats. Slide the new string onto the slats and attach them to the top tube and the bottom rail. Make sure that you have threaded the slats correctly by placing them alternately back and forth between the ladder rungs so that they will open and close correctly.

Your final step in this process is to hang the blind.

Some safety tips to remember are to wear gloves if you think you are dealing with particularly sharp plastic or laminate slats as you could cut your fingers. It is also a good idea to make a diagram of where the cords are inside the box in the first place to save yourself distress in case in the middle of repairing mini blinds you get confused.