Have you ever scanned the front of your home only to recognise that your window blinds are letting down the rest of the façade? So, what happened to these blinds that looked so smart and pristine when they were new? It turns out that most blinds are damaged by just a few common occurrences.

Too much Sunshine is Brutal for Window Blinds

Here in Australia the biggest culprit is sun damage. It is obvious really, since the main reason we cover our windows with blinds is to protect our interiors from unwanted sunlight and ultraviolet rays. Sun damage presents itself as faded, discoloured and weakened blind material, resulting in cracks, splits and tears.

Sun damage is hard to prevent because our windows are exposed 24/7. However, there are fade-resistant materials available that block out up to 95 per cent of ultraviolet rays. Not only will the use of these materials extend the life of your blinds, but they will also keep the interior cooler than standard materials.

Mould and Mildew Thrive in High Humidity

Mould and mildew are prime candidates for causing damage to blinds in wet areas such as bathrooms and other locations with high humidity levels. It is easy to overlook mould on blinds where they are obscured by heavy curtains. Undetected, it spreads quickly on plastic or wooden blinds and other porous surfaces, damaging their structural integrity.

If the damage is not too severe, the blinds can be cleaned then sealed to prevent a recurrence. Replacement blinds should be made of materials such as a combination of PVC and polyester, then checked and cleaned regularly.

Four-Legged Chaos

There is nothing like dogs or cats for providing companionship and unconditional love to their owners. However, until they are trained, your adorable puppy or kitten may use the cords and pull chains on the side of your blinds as playthings. Cats also like to climb and scratch their claws on surfaces such as window coverings. Vigorous playing sessions have been known to leave curtains and blinds in broken and shredded piles on the floor

Prevention in the form of quality, consistent training, and lots of active time outdoors when you are home could prevent damaging your window blinds. Distracting toys like scratching posts for cats and chew toys for dogs will keep them occupied while you are out.

If this information comes too late to save your window treatments, our repair process at Blind Concepts restores the quality of damaged blinds. We replace slats and slat hangers, resew slats and replace chains, cords or wands. We also have a cleaning service that restores the quality of blinds that need deep cleaning.

Most householders like to keep their living spaces clean and tidy using a regular cleaning regime that keeps the worst of the daily grunge at bay without becoming fanatical about it. After all, who wants to spend all their spare time cleaning when they could be enjoying fun times with family and friends?

Time for a deep clean?

This relaxed approach to housekeeping allows time to run the vacuum cleaner and dusting cloths over the window blinds, perhaps not weekly but monthly. Venetian blinds, verticals and even roller blinds will stay reasonably clean for some time, but eventually, the time will come when all the window treatments in your dwelling will need a complete deep clean.

Incorrect cleaning techniques may damage blinds

Not only is this a major commitment in time and effort, but if not done carefully, householders may damage their expensive and cherished blinds if the cleaning is not done with care. Some wooden slat blinds, for example, may warp if they are immersed in water for too long, especially if they are genuine timber. The quality of the result when cleaning fabric blinds will depend on the material used. Different fabrics need different techniques so the manufacturer’s instructions should always be followed.

Venetians and Romans need special care

Did you know that when vacuuming Venetian blinds, you should hold the blinds at the bottom with one hand while moving the vacuum across the slats? If you don’t, there is a risk that some of the slats may twist or warp. Dust can be vacuumed off Roman and cellular (honeycomb) blinds, but stains and grime are a different story. Heavy duty cleaning methods such as scrubbing can easily result in tears in the fabric, which will ruin the whole blind.

Verticals and roller blinds can easily be damaged

Vertical blinds should be dusted or wiped clean from the top down, as brushing or wiping upward can cause the slats to become unhooked from their mountings. Hold the blind during the process to prevent breakage of the bottom chain links. Roller blinds, especially in a kitchen, can quickly become spattered with oil and grease during cooking. If scrubbing is necessary to remove dirt and stains, take care not to scrub so hard that it removes the colour.

If this all seems too difficult, we offer an easier alternative. Here at Blind Concepts we perform blind cleaning and repair services on a wide variety of window blinds. Our ultrasonic cleaning technique is an effective and environmentally responsible process that removes deeply seated dirt. Our process is effective and gentle, leaving your blinds free from damage and looking like new.

If you have recently refurbished an existing home or apartment, you will have discovered that furnishings and window coverings can be expensive, especially if you are doing the entire dwelling all at once. Many householders with a limited budget search the second-hand shops for quality pieces of furniture or accessories to get the most out of their cash, but often, they replace the window blinds instead of repairing them.

Blinds Last for Years if Treated Well

There are good reasons for going down the repair path when it comes to window coverings. Unless blinds have been subjected to wilful damage or are completely worn, they are quite resilient. After all, they are out of the reach of foot traffic so, unlike furniture, they are not scratched and chipped by the wear and tear of family life. If they are cleaned regularly and any minor issues fixed immediately, they should last for years.

This has been our experience here at Blind Concepts; in fact, it is the basis of the service we provide to our clients. We clean, repair, and replace various types of interior blinds including Roman and Holland blinds, verticals and Venetians, as well as aluminium and wood composites and others. We can restore blinds to their original condition and even create a new style for them with new colours or stains.

Cleaning and Repairing Works Wonders

Quality well-made blinds that have served their owners well for a number of years deserve another opportunity to shine. Sometimes, all they need is a thorough and professional cleaning to remove all traces of dirt and grime. Also, repairs such as replacing or resewing slats or replacing chains, cords or wands to a properly cleaned set of blinds can bring them back to their original condition.

Reducing Waste While Saving Money

We should all be aware of how individual actions impact on our fragile environment, so when householders takes down all the window blinds and dispatch them to the local rubbish dump, they may not be making the most environmentally responsible decision. Not only do we, as a society, still thoughtlessly consign far too much recyclable material to landfill, but we are also not active enough in finding new uses for such material. This is another reason for thinking carefully before we simply throw away household items like window blinds.

You can save money while getting your blinds back to pristine condition and help preserve our precious environment by contacting us for a quote before making any decision. These are two excellent reasons for repairing your window blinds rather than spending extra cash buying new ones.

Simplicity continues to be the preferred interior design theme for both new builds and renovations. The emphasis is on a few large furniture pieces supported by small accent features to add colour and interest. This approach allows for plenty of options to update window dressings.

What to Choose – Blinds or Curtains?

This raises the issue of whether to use window blinds or curtains or perhaps even both. For some owners, it is simply a matter of personal taste, but for others, it offers the opportunity to use the positive aspects of both options to increase the comfort of the occupier.

Colour, Style and Comfort with Curtains

Modern curtains are a far cry from the dull, heavy dust-collectors of old. The choice of fabrics and colours is endless, and the lightweight options float with elegance on the breezes they allow through an open window. There are also fabrics available that reduce external noise and insulate the rooms against both heat and cold.

Blinds for the Budget Conscious

Today’s blinds are a quick and easy solution to light and privacy issues for any building. With respect to light control, blinds offer the option of covering all of the window at one time, or just a part of the window, depending on how they operate. They are often cheaper to install than curtains, are easy to maintain and are available in a wide range of styles and materials.

We are very familiar with the benefits and versatility of window blinds. Our company, Blind Concepts, will clean and repair your blinds and, if required, replace broken slats and other components. We take your blinds to our workshop, run them through our ultrasonic cleaning process and return them to you, ready to hang, within 24 hours.

Blinds Come in a Range of Styles

We notice, in the course of our work, that Venetian blinds in aluminium, timber or plastic are still popular and fit in well with modern décor. Roller blinds are the perfect, low-cost solution for utility rooms such as the kitchen, laundry and bathroom whilst Holland and Roman blinds add a touch of elegance to the formal areas of a dwelling.

Why Choose? Just Use Both

If you are in the process of installing new window treatments, you may like to consider using both blinds and curtains. Either option looks great alone but if you put them together you get double the wow factor. When paired together, you will have more options for light control and privacy. There is also more flexibility in styling. For example, to make a small window look bigger, fit the blind to the window size and extend the curtain on either side.

The final decision is up to the property owner, but either way, the windows will look great.

Is it time for a redecorating project for your dwelling? Perhaps it’s an entire refit of the whole property or just a couple of rooms, but if you’ve been planning it for some time and investing your hard-earned savings, you will want the finished product to look spectacular. To achieve the best result, you should be careful about skimping on your window coverings.

New Blinds Lift a Room

Old, shabby and discoloured blinds will make any room look tired regardless of how bright, new and fashionable are other furnishings and accessories. Discarding them for new ones is one option that many people take, while at the same time looking for responsible ways to dispose of their old blinds.

Some Blinds can be Recycled

Depending on what materials the blinds are made from, they can be recycled. Pure untreated timber, pure plastic or metal such as aluminium are all suitable candidates for recycling. Check your local area for a recycler who accepts these items, making sure to remove the slats first as most recyclers will not accept the cords or rails.

Charities Accept Blinds in Good Condition

If the blinds are still in reasonable condition, but you just want a new look to go with the new décor, charities such as the Salvation Army will accept them as a donation. Just remember that the blinds need to be suitable to resell in their shops. Otherwise, the charities must spend funds meant to help others on disposing of things that should have gone straight to the dump.

Here at Blind Concepts, we have another solution that may have you rethinking your original decision. What if you could restore your old blinds so that they look new again? Our ultrasonic cleaning process removes dirt, stains, grease, bacteria and grime, and uses minimal quantities of chemicals and water. We also repair damaged blinds or replace single or multiple slats in different colours to give your blinds a thorough makeover.

Watch Out for Budget Overruns

Redecorating as we all know can be one of those projects that, if not closely managed, can quickly overrun a budget. It could be an unexpected price rise on a critical item or a sudden change of mind that adds dollars to the bottom line. The finished project may look fantastic but if the cost causes financial stress for months to come, it is worth looking at every option to cut costs.

We can help with your budget planning too. Contact us with all the details of your blinds. We will find the perfect solution and give you a free quote.

Householders who take pride in their homes know that getting the right window treatments for each room is the final touch in creating a comfortable space that welcomes them home each day. A regular cleaning regime is also part of this feeling of comfort, and while blinds don’t need cleaning every day, they should be on the cleaning schedule of every well-kept dwelling.

Cleaning Methods for Different Blinds

Window blinds are also expensive, so no householder wants to damage theirs during cleaning. Using different types of cleaning methods for diverse styles of blinds is one way to avoid accidental damage, especially if you are cleaning them on the window.

Cleaning Venetians with Care

Aluminium and plastic venetians, for example, can be safely cleaned using warm water, a soft cloth and an all-purpose household cleaner. Taking the time to clean each slat individually will give the best results, with no patches of dust or grime left behind. A gentle touch is best to avoid damage, and when one side is cleaned, flip the blind to the other side and repeat.

Go Easy on the Water

Wooden venetians need a little more care, as using too much water as part of the cleaning process may cause the slats to warp. The first step is to tightly close the blinds, leaving no gaps and gently wipe over with a microfibre cloth to remove any traces of dust, then repeating the process on the other side. This may be all that is needed, but if not, wipe with a slightly wet sponge for a final clean.

We understand how important clean windows and blinds are to house-proud people. Keeping your blinds in excellent condition is what we do at Blind Concepts. We use ultrasonic cleaning methods to get your blinds spotless and because our process uses very little water and chemicals, it is also environmentally friendly.

Too Scared to Clean Your Roller Blinds?

Many householders are afraid to tackle roller blinds, especially plastic ones, in case they use too much force and tear them from the roller. Have no fear.

1. Place a mild cleaner, even dishwashing liquid, in warm water and using a sponge, start at the bottom of the fully extended blind.
2. Wipe across gently, gradually moving upward until the entire blind has been cleaned.
3. Do both sides and leave them open to dry.

However, if you don’t have the time or energy for any of this, remember we are blind cleaning specialists. We will take your blinds back to our workshop, clean them and have them back to you in no time. Give us a call for a free quote.

Property owners generally spend a lot of money on their window blinds, and although the quality can range from excellent to average, depending on the brand and the price, there are always situations where problems arise with the way the blinds operate. These problems may not present themselves for some years, and some happen with annoying frequency.

Blinds Will Eventually Need Repairs and Maintenance

The problems also vary depending on the style of the blinds, especially those that are popular with the general public. Venetian blinds made from timber, plastic, aluminium, wood-composite and other materials are still in demand, along with verticals, Roman, Holland, Oriental and other blinds. While all these styles will wear well for a time, eventually they will need repairs and maintenance.

Here at Blind Concepts, we specialise in the cleaning, repair and replacement of old and damaged interior blinds. Many of the problems that owners have with their blinds can be repaired, and our ultrasonic cleaning process can also restore them to their original condition, saving our clients the cost of new installations.

Cords and Tapes on Venetian Blinds can be replaced

Venetian blinds have a couple of recurring problems that need solutions. The tilt and turn wand and other mechanical parts can become damaged through constant use and the slats can break or warp. If the cords break or the tapes become shabby, replacement kits are available.

The kits contain full instructions on how to remove and replace the cords or tapes. It is also the perfect opportunity to remove and replace broken or damaged slats.

Problems with Verticals either Simple or Complex – No In-between

Problems with vertical blinds are often simple issues such as the blades getting stuck backwards or becoming crooked; these are easily fixed by checking each blade individually and adjusting where necessary.

Another simple fix is replacing the bottom link chains, which are easily damaged. However, sometimes the problems are more complex. Verticals have many parts, some of them quite small, so more difficult repairs are best left to experts.

Clumsy Repair Attempts on Roman Blinds Can Cause Further Damage

Over time, Roman blinds may wear at the pull cord, and the plastic ring used to manipulate the blinds will break. The repair requires the blind to be removed from the window and laid, fully extended, on a flat surface.

The broken cords or rings are then removed and replaced. While this seems simple enough, again, this is a job for someone experienced as it is very easy to damage the blind further while attempting the repair.

These are just some examples of problems with blinds and suggested solutions. If you have any of these issues with your blinds and you don’t want to try the solutions yourself, contact our team of repair and replacement experts.

There are all kinds of common items around us every day that we take for granted, so much so that we don’t really think too much about how these things are made or what goes into them. For example, just think about a simple everyday item such as a toothbrush. Now that we are considering this item, we realise that a toothbrush is made from plastic and nylon, but how often do we seriously given this any thought?

Common Items Can Have Complex Components

In fact, if you look around your home, just about everything falls into this category. Every window, for example, has some type of window treatment, and apart from choosing the style and colour, do you ever really think about the actual components that make up the type of blinds you have once they are up on the windows?

Blind Components are Similar throughout the Industry

Window blinds come in numerous styles, materials and colours but the components that are used in blind manufacture are very similar throughout the industry, although they may be used in different ways depending on the style of the blind. Very common components are brackets, which are used to attach blinds to the window frame. There are different types and sizes of brackets depending on the style of the blind they are attaching.

Chains are Common to Several Different Types of Blinds

Chains are another component used in both roller blinds and verticals. Roller blinds, as the name suggests, are made by attaching a length of plastic or material to a roller, which is drawn either up or down by a length of chain attached to the roller. Vertical blinds are more complex than roller blinds and require many more components.

Among these are tilt mechanisms, wands and wand tips, bottom rail parts such as weights, control units and as mentioned, bottom chains that link the vertical slats together.

Multiple Components Used in Venetians

Venetian blinds consist of horizontal slats of timber, plastic or aluminium that stack at the top of the window. They also have lift cords to raise and lower the slats, along with cord locks, wands, cord mechanisms and other, smaller but no less important components.

If this is sounds confusing, don’t be concerned. We deal with this information day after day at Blind Concepts. We are always happy to answer questions from our clients, but if you need your blinds cleaned, refurbished or even replaced, you may not be interested in this level of detail.

Most clients contact us for advice about the best solution to rejuvenate their blinds, and once we know the style, size and number of blinds they have, we give them free quotes for all our services.

How often in our busy lives do we walk past something in our dwelling that needs cleaning or even replacing without noticing it? Experts tell us that this is common behaviour simply because we become familiar with things that are around us all the time. This causes us to give them just cursory glances until we have reason to look more closely.

Often, the first time we notice the issue is when we are preparing our home for a party or some other social event. It is almost like we have suddenly looked through a magnifying glass and seen everything clearly. This usually sets off a frenzy of activity to rectify the situation.

Check behind the Curtains

Window blinds are often the most overlooked item, especially when they are hidden by curtains. Even when running the vacuum cleaner over the curtains to keep the dust at bay, how often do we stop to really examine the blinds behind them? If we did, we might see signs of wear that could be repaired to prolong their usefulness.

At Blind Concepts, extending the life of your blinds is the core of our business. Our clients save hundreds of dollars when they entrust their blinds to our cleaning and repair processes. Our ultrasonic cleaning technology removes built-up grime while our repair and replacement services restore the quality of your valuable blinds.

Are Your Blinds a Hazard?

There are some signs you should look for when checking to see if your blinds are at the replacement stage. Blinds not only should look good, but they must also be practical and suit your situation. If you now have very small children or pets living with you, blinds with cords that were no problem for adults are now a choking hazard.

Is there Irreparable Damage?

Over time, humidity, along with sun and water damage can cause the slats on timber Venetians to warp. While we can replace these slats as part of our service, there may come a time when so many are damaged that you may choose to replace the blinds with new ones.

Old Blinds Don’t Suit New Decor

If your blinds are very old, it may simply be a situation where they no longer suit the décor. Perhaps you have repainted the interior in modern colours, installed new floor coverings or replaced key furnishings and light fittings. This may leave the window blinds and curtains an unsuitable match for these major changes.

Before you make the final decision to replace your blinds, give us a call. Our repair personnel can examine your damaged blinds and possibly offer an alternative solution.

Window treatments such as those for blinds and curtains are not only expensive but are also a very public introduction to the homes and other buildings they adorn. In effect, the state of the windows in the premises you occupy, whether as an owner or a renter, is the first impression that a visitor forms when they arrive at your dwelling.

First Impressions Count

No doubt you would like that impression to be favourable, so if your window blinds are dirty, it may be time to break out the cleaning materials. Before you do though, take a moment to think about the type of cleaning materials you have, and what effect they are likely to have on your blinds. Depending on what they are made of, you may need to avoid chemical products to preserve the life of the blinds.

Take Care When Cleaning Timber Blinds

When cleaning timber blinds, remove the dust first either with a vacuum cleaner and the soft brush attachment, or wipe them with a clean, dry cloth. Any marks that are left can be rubbed gently with a clean damp cloth, remembering that excess moisture will cause the wood to swell. Avoid using liquids or chemicals as any varnishes, stains or other finishes on timber slats may fade and peel.

Need to Clean Roller Blind Mechanisms?

Roller blinds are the workhorse of window treatments and are perfect for rooms such as the kitchen and bedrooms. They are economical, easy to use and if they are made of plastic or PVC, easy to clean with standard household cleaners. However, if as part of your cleaning regime you need to clean the mechanism and if you are using a silicone spray, avoid getting this on the blind fabric. It could react to the chemicals in the spray and leave your blinds looking discoloured or bleached.

Soft Fabrics Make Roman Blinds Difficult to Clean

Roman blinds are more difficult to clean because generally, they are made from soft fabrics such as cotton or linen. Gentle dusting or vacuuming with a soft brush keeps dust at bay, but stains and marks are a different problem. Chemical stain removers should never be used on roman blinds as there is no way of knowing how this will affect the colour of the fabric.

Too Hard? Give us a Call

If all these do’s and don’ts seem daunting, the easy solution is to entrust the cleaning of your precious blinds to Blind Concepts. We clean verticals, Roman blinds, aluminium and timber Venetians, oriental and Holland blinds and others, using our ultrasonic cleaning process that is almost chemical-free. We take your blinds to our workshop, work our magic and return them, sparkling clean, to you within 24 hours, ready to rehang.