The perfect window treatments can really tie your home together.
They can impress friends and family you invite over for special occasions. They’ll attract the attention of neighbors who admire the style and privacy they offer. Ultimately, they make your house feel like a home.
Yet, there are times when your blinds, shutters, shades, and drapes can be a bit temperamental (especially if they’re the mass-produced window treatments you can find online and in department stores).
As your valued source for all things window décor, we’re here to share some insider tips on correcting these minor mishaps without breaking a sweat or damaging your window adornments.
Whether you’re dealing with a stuck roller shade or dealing with other common concerns, we’ve got your back with this handy troubleshooting guide!
Stuck Roller Shade Solutions
Shades allow you to enjoy optimal light and privacy control in your living spaces. Yet, uneven rolling can be a pesky problem.
To overcome over this window treatment challenge, you can employ the following solutions:
- Check for Obstructions: Is there something obstructing the path of the shade? It could be as simple as some everyday debris or a curtain tieback causing the obstruction. Clear the area around the shade and give it another go!
- Inspect the Mechanism: Sometimes, the issue is the roller mechanism itself. Carefully examine the roller for any signs of damage or misalignment. If you spot any issues, gently realign or adjust the mechanism as needed.
- Tug and Release: Give the shade a gentle tug downwards, then release it. This often helps dislodge any jammed components and gets the roller back on track. Repeat the process a few times if necessary — but be careful not to exert too much force as this could permanently damage your window treatment.
- Lubricate the Mechanism: Over time, dust and debris accumulates within the roller mechanism, causing it to stick. Applying a small amount of silicone-based lubricant to the roller’s moving parts helps loosen things up and restores a smooth operation.
Tangled and Jammed Blinds
Blinds are a great way to add a touch of sophistication to any space. However, they can encounter a few issues from time to time.
Tangled slats and jammed mechanisms are common issues that can disrupt their functionality and style. Luckily, there’s a couple of swift solutions to these problems right at your fingertips:
- Fix Tangled Slats: You can untangle slats by using something flat and sturdy, such as a spatula or ruler. The key is to take your time and be gentle so you don’t damage or scratch the slats.
- Lubricate the Mechanism: For jammed mechanisms, a careful application of lubricant or silicone spray works wonders, allowing you to easily raise and lower your blinds or adjust the slats to your preferred amounts of light control and privacy.
Misaligned Shutters
Nothing exudes timeless elegance quite like classic shutters. But misalignment can mar their aesthetic appeal.
If your shutters are askew, here’s how you can correct this issue:
- Tighten or Replace the Hardware: First, inspect the hinges for any visible damage or misalignment. Screws can become loose over time, so tighten them or replace any missing screws as needed. If your shutters require more than a bit of tightening up, use a level to ensure that each shutter panel aligns perfectly.
Disheveled Drapes
Drapes are a dramatic and eye-catching way to elevate the style of your home. But they can also be plagued by an inability to stay in place and/or stubborn wrinkles.
If you’re having trouble with these issues, these methods may help:
- Add a Bit of Weight: If your drapes refuse to stay in place, despite your best efforts, you can try to secure them with discreet curtain weights. Or, you can purchase drapes designed with a heavier fabric that’s less prone to billowing in the breeze.
- Steam Away Wrinkles: If your drapes are prone to wrinkling, you can purchase an inexpensive handheld steamer to easily smooth out wrinkles without scorching the fabric with an alternative method like an iron. For persistent creases, hang the drapes in a steamy bathroom.
Still Have Window Treatment Concerns? Call the Experts!
And there you have it — your quick and easy-to-follow guide to conquering those pesky window treatment woes like a stuck roller shade, misaligned shutter, or tangled blinds.
While many of these minor issues can be resolved with a bit of DIY know-how, they may be fairly persistent with most mass-produced window treatments.
The best way to avoid these issues is to opt for custom window treatments.
At Bartlett Blinds, we’ll bring our showroom and expert window treatment knowledge to your home. We’ll help you decide which treatments best suit your needs and preferences, measure your windows for an accurate fit, and design your custom choice. When they’re ready, our team will also professionally install your custom window treatments!
Have questions about our custom window treatments options or want to schedule a consultation?
