There is a growing awareness that dumping everything we don’t want into landfill is having a negative effect on our environment. Of course, much of the landfill content is genuine rubbish, but there is a significant part that is reusable. What is missing is the desire by most of us to think carefully before we discard items that, with a little effort, could be repurposed.

Blinds Need Repairing? Try Doing It Yourself

Window blinds are a good example of a product that responds well to a few simple repairs that can extend their useable life. Not only will these repairs have the blinds looking as good as new ones, but it will also save the householder the expense of buying new blinds. All it needs are some practical, do-it-yourself skills and a little imagination.

There are several different styles of blinds that lend themselves very well to being repaired, including verticals, Roman blinds, venetians made from a range of materials, Holland and oriental blinds. Venetians are still one of the most popular styles and the most common repairs needed are replacement of broken cords or frayed tapes.

Another Use for Old Venetian Blind Cords

It is possible to buy replacement cords and tapes in kit form, and these contain full installation instructions. This is also a great opportunity to replace any broken slats at the same time, and in the case of wooden blinds, to apply a new coat of wood stain. The blinds will look like new, and you could also roll up the old cord and keep it on hand for household tasks like tying plants to garden stakes.

Broken Chains on Verticals are a Breeze to Fix

Vertical blinds will last for years, but over time, the most common issue they have is that the bottom chain has broken. If this is not replaced, these great, practical window treatments look shabby and spoil the overall look of the whole room. The chain has clips on it that attach to the slats to keep all the blades in sync with each other. Simply buy a new length of chain and clips to replace the old ones.

Difficult Repairs – Call the Experts

Other blind repairs are more difficult and time consuming, so if you don’t want to tackle the job yourself, we are here to help. At Blind Concepts, we pick up your blinds and repair them in our workshop, then return them to you for rehanging. We do most common repairs, but if your blinds require an unusual repair, just let us know what the damage is, and we can work out a suitable solution for you.

If we all do our bit to keep recycling our window blinds for as long as possible, our planet’s natural resources will still be available for the use of generations to come.

Our planet is having a rough time lately. There are fires in the Amazon, melting ice sheets are raising ocean levels, receding glaciers may deprive millions of people of reliable sources of fresh water and extreme weather events are becoming regular rather than rare occurrences.

Think Globally, Act Locally

As if that isn’t enough, even the deepest parts of the ocean now contain human-generated rubbish and plastic has recently been found in the formerly pristine Arctic. Ocean currents have consolidated our waste into large, moving islands of rubbish. As individuals, we must do more so we can reduce this waste.

Making a concerted effort to repurpose things instead of buying new all the time is a positive step we can all take. At Blind Concepts, we provide a service to our clients that allows them to do just that with their window blinds. We specialise in repairing damaged blinds and restoring them to their original condition.

Both the Common and the Unusual can be Repaired

Vertical blinds, Romans, timber, Holland blinds, oriental, aluminium and wood composite blinds can all be repaired. Blind slats, slat hangers, cords, wands and bottom chains are the most common parts of window blinds that need repair or replacement. Other repairs that are more unusual can also be done once we have assessed the item and the type of damage.

Magic Happens in our Workshop

Imagine how good your windows would look if your favourite blinds still looked like they did when they were first installed. This is the result you will get if you decide to use our services. Our repair team will pick the blinds up from your premises and take them to our workshop where they work their magic, then return them to you ready to hang.

Waste Not – Want Not

Think about all the different materials that go into making a set of blinds. Much of these materials are not directly affected by any damage or wear, so it does seem a wasteful indulgence to toss them out. There are metres of slats, chains and cords in venetian and vertical blinds, and metres of fabric in other different styles. Casting these materials aside to decay in landfill over months or even years does nothing to support sustainability.

Windows Like New While Helping the Planet

Buying new blinds is expensive and when the old blinds are thrown away, they usually end up in land fill, contributing to the waste of our depleting natural resources. Our effective blind repairs save money, and leave our clients with a positive experience, knowing that they have helped the planet while updating their windows with blinds that look like new.

Window blinds are essential to provide privacy, protect floor coverings and furnishings from harsh sunlight, and to allow the occupants to either invite in or block out the weather and the neighbours. The more windows there are to cover, the bigger the financial investment required to cover them, so when blinds start to look shabby, replacing them with new ones is often not an option.

Update, relocate or recycle

Depending on what style of blinds you have on your windows, if you are in this situation, you may be interested in how blinds can be recycled. Perhaps you want to update the look of some blinds so that they can be moved to a different room, and you may be able to refurbish some to stay where they are. There may even be a few blinds that are beyond redemption and rather than toss them into landfill, they could be recycled in a different way.

Whatever the need, here at Blind Concepts we offer a service that can address most of the issues our clients have with their blinds. We can clean, repair and replace a range of different types of blinds and our service even extends to creating new styles and colours for some types of blinds. We offer a same day service although more complex repairs may take longer.

Replace broken slats with different colours for a little pizazz

Do you have stained timber blinds in good condition except for a few slats here and there that are broken? The broken slats can be replaced but instead of opting for the same timber stain, add some pizazz by using different colours. Now the blinds have a feature point that draws the eye, complements the accessories in the room and invites comment.

Bland verticals can become interesting

Even though vertical blinds are not as popular as they used to be, that is no reason to throw them out if they are still serviceable. Again, by replacing several vertical drops in contrasting colours at strategic intervals, your bland verticals will be a study in recycling.

Lateral thinking, the key to recycling

The ultimate recycling challenge will come when your blinds are beyond saving. If you are disposing of slat blinds, take them apart and look for alternative uses for the cords and slats. Even if they end up as stakes and ties for your garden plants, they are still serving a purpose. Roller blinds can be dismantled, creating lengths of vinyl which can be used for shelf liners.

There is usually an alternative use for blind materials if you think laterally. That is what we do when we are called in by a client to look at their blinds to see what can be done to either clean or repair them.

Winter is the perfect time of the year to assess your interior décor before joining the flurry of activity that conscientious householders undertake to welcome Spring. Hours sitting inside gives you time to think about updating furnishings and accessories.

Repairs to Window Blinds Maximise their Value

An overlooked area in this annual exercise is the window treatments. While most householders include curtains in a spring clean, taking them down to wash or dry clean before rehanging, very often the window blinds get a cursory run over with a vacuum cleaner. Closer inspection, though, reveals needed repairs to get value out of these expensive items.

Are You Turning a Blind Eye?

Are you one of those householders who deal with a sticking roller blind or broken slat on a Venetian by ignoring the problem? Did you realise that if these issues were fixed and the blinds restored to their original shape and purpose, it would take very little expenditure if you do the repair yourself?

This is something we know a lot about here at Blind Concepts. A major part of our business is offering blind repairs and cleaning services to our clients, and we specialise in old and damaged interior blinds. The correct repair techniques restore the quality to these blinds and extend their useful life.

Common Roller Blind Issues

There are some window blind problems that are quite common and easy for a handy person to rectify. Roller blinds, for example, sometimes start tracking to one side instead of going up and down straight. There are several reasons for this, but the easiest one to check for is insects or other materials rolled up in the blind. Pull it down to its full extent and wipe over with a damp cloth. This will remove any foreign bodies, and as a bonus, the blind will be clean.

Broken Slats? An Easy Fix

Broken slats on a venetian blind, especially a timber one, look shabby and interfere with the flow of light and air. Take a pair of pliers and undo the plugs on the bottom blind slat. These hold the lift and tilt cords. Pull the lift cord gently through the centre of the slat up the row of blinds until the damaged slat is released. Remove it and slide the replacement slat into position, then feed the lift cord back through the centre; finish off by replacing the plugs.

If the amount of work required restoring your blinds to their original condition is too much for you, our service makes life easy. Once you accept our quote, we repair them at our workshop and return them for rehanging. It couldn’t be easier.

Window blinds are a popular and fashionable way to protect your home and its furnishings. They offer versatility of style, options for the control of light and heat, and they are available in a range of materials and types to suit all budgets.

Simple Cleaning Mistakes to be Avoided

The simplest way to look after blinds is to take care when cleaning them. A simple mistake doing this basic task can spoil the appearance of your blinds, perhaps break some of the working mechanisms or in the worst case, render them unusable.

We know a lot about cleaning all types of blinds. In fact, Blind Concepts have been in the business of repairing and cleaning blinds for 20 years. We use an ultrasonic cleaning process that uses minimal amounts of chemicals and water, restoring older blinds to look like new.

Keep Water off Timber Blinds

One of the most common mistakes people make when cleaning timber blinds is using too much water. Unless they are a timber-look synthetic or have been made waterproof during manufacture, genuine timber blinds absorb water, thus causing them to warp or split when they dry out.

Don’t Close Slat Blinds Completely

It is surprising how often this mistake happens. With aluminium and vinyl slat blinds, people often just close them completely and wipe them over. The blinds look clean, but once they are opened, the parts of the slats that were hidden when closed are revealed, still with dust and grime on them.

Don’t Start with a Too Wet Cloth on Fabric Blinds

Roman and cellular or honeycomb blinds are very popular but look difficult to clean. Many householders make the mistake of trying to remove dust and stains by wiping over with a very wet cloth. Unfortunately, this can have the opposite effect by rubbing the dust into the fabric.

Don’t Start on Roller Blinds without a Plan

Roller blinds generally respond well to careful cleaning if you start with a plan. The most common mistake is to start on the worst stains first. If the blind is very dirty, it takes ages and many people just give up, instead of starting at the bottom and working upwards in sections. Dry them before rolling back up.

Remember to Vacuum all the Dust Away First

The number one mistake to make when cleaning your blinds is to not use your vacuum cleaner first. If you move the brush attachment gently over your blinds on a low suction it removes most of the dust. Any left-over stains can be easily removed with a damp (not wet) cloth and some mild dish-washing liquid.

For busy people without the time or desire to clean their own blinds, we will pick them up from your premises and return them to you within 24 hours, clean and ready to hang.

Did you know that in winter, approximately 30% of your home’s heating energy is lost through your windows, and in summer, up to 70% of the sunlight that falls directly on your windows become heat once inside? This makes the protection of your windows from the elements a high priority, and makes window blinds your best friend.

Reduced Energy Costs Just One of the Benefits

A reduction in energy costs is just one of the benefits of having blinds in your home. Blinds are the most versatile of window dressings because they come in so many different styles, fabrics and colours. Whether your home décor is modern minimalist, country cottage, all glass and chrome, retro or something else again, there will be a blind to suit.

Regardless of what style or fabric you choose for your blinds, or how long they have been hanging at your windows, we have a cleaning process that will get them looking like new again. At Blind Concepts, our tried and proven ultrasonic cleaning process removes all dirt, grime, stains, grease and bacteria, leaving them bright and clean.

Blinds Offer Privacy from Nosey Neighbours

Another benefit of blinds over just curtains alone is the level of privacy they provide. While curtains are attractive, they also move around in the breeze. This gives anyone prying from the outside the possibility of a clear view of the interior of the dwelling. Once blinds are closed there is no such opportunity, therefore giving the occupants an added level of privacy.

Control over Light another Benefit

We live in a country where the light, especially in summer, can be harsh. Blinds offer relief from this glare, and slatted blinds give the householder the ability to control the direction of the light or block it out altogether. This is excellent for shift workers who need to sleep during the day, or for those who wake with the first rays of sunshine when they don’t need to.

Versatility Makes Decorating Easy

There are so many different styles of blinds to choose from that there really is a blind for every application and every type of window. Venetians with timber, plastic or aluminium slats, verticals, Roman and Holland blinds, oriental blinds, roller blinds and others can be either purchased as is from retailers or custom made.

With current decorating styles moving away from the fussy and ornate, blinds give your window spaces the perfect aesthetic upgrade. Fabric blinds are especially versatile because, regardless of their style, there are so many different colours, textures and patterns to choose from that matching them with your current furniture and other fittings will be easy.

When your blinds need more than a wipe over or a vacuum clean, contact us here at Blind Concepts and we will have them looking as good as new.

Have you ever wondered, as you struggle to install a new set of window blinds, who came up with the idea of blinds in the first place? This is usually the internal conversation we have with ourselves when something is not working to plan, and we are looking for someone to blame. There must be a better way, we think as we balance precariously on a chair.

Is there nothing new Under the Sun?

Well, if it makes you feel any better, window blinds have been around for centuries, and so far, no-one has discovered anything more practical. Advancements are made in fixtures, fittings and materials, exciting new styles become available but apart from that, nothing much has changed.

Some Ancient Ways to Protect Windows

While we are not certain exactly when and where blinds first originated, we know from old parchments and wall frescos that Egypt, Persia or China are the most likely places. The ancient desert people used wet strips of cloth on their windows to keep out the elements. The Chinese in ancient times tied bamboo stalks together to make their window coverings.

The first time we have an approximate date is again in Persia in 1100 AD when what we now call Venetian blinds first appeared. They most likely made their way into Europe along the old Eastern trade routes, appearing first in Venice. That is why we still refer to this style of window blind as Venetian.

Vertical Blinds – An Early 1950s Appearance

These blinds spread throughout Europe, particularly in the 1700s, and soon became the norm in those households whose income allowed. It is interesting then to find out that vertical blinds, which are really the Venetian style hung around the other way, were only invented in the USA in the 1950s.

The Colosseum and Roman Blinds – Who Knew?

The construction of the Colosseum was said to be the catalyst for the invention of Roman blinds. It is believed that they were designed specifically to keep out the dust stirred up by this massive project. They spread throughout the Roman Empire, becoming more ornate and sophisticated as they did.

Thank the Scots for Roller Blinds

Roller blinds were not invented until the 1700s in Scotland. At first, they had no spring mechanism so when they were closed, the fabric fell to the window ledge where it remained until they were opened.

Benefits of Modern Technology

We are always interested in anything to do with blinds, even the history. Here at Blind Concepts we clean and refurbish all types of blinds, including those that originated in our distant past as well as any new styles that have been invented since. Regardless of what type of blinds you have in your windows, our modern technology will have them looking as good as new in twenty-four hours.

Whether you are renovating an existing dwelling or furnishing a new home from scratch, your window treatments will have a major impact on the appearance and ambiance of every room. As well as how they look, your blinds and curtains protect your privacy and allow you to control both light and air. Getting the right mix can mean the difference between a drab dark living space and one that is inviting and changes with the climate.

The Best of Blinds

If you cannot decide between blinds or curtains, you may be pleased to know that you can have both in your home, depending on what you are trying to achieve. Blinds, for example, come in different styles and materials, don’t fade, are great for small rooms because they fit into the window recess and they are superb at controlling the light.

Curtains can be Cool

Curtains also have their good points. They are available in all kinds of styles, colours and fabrics, they can completely block out the light if need be, are generally machine-washable for easy cleaning and create visual interest as they respond to the movement of air. Just think about the calming effect a light, wispy curtain has on the psyche as it moves in the breeze.

Blinds are our specialty because here at Blind Concepts, we clean and repair window blinds, using our ultrasonic cleaning technology. This method gets into the nooks and crannies of all types of blinds, lifting out dust, dirt and grime and returning your blinds to you ready to hang. Our repair services include replacing broken slats and slat hangers, and replacing cords, chains and wands.

What Type of Room Is It?

The best advice we can give to the householder trying to choose the right window treatment is to consider things such as the room’s purpose, its aspect and of course, the budget allowed. For example, blinds are perfect for hard-working areas like the kitchen and bathroom, but if you have bedroom windows facing west, block-out curtains might be necessary in summer to keep out the heat.

The Best of Both Worlds – Why Not?

There is no reason why you cannot have both, of course. In formal areas, Venetian blinds that allow you to control light and air flow partnered with a stylish set of floor length curtains will add elegance and style to your lounge room. Choose curtains without pull cords for added safety in homes with young children or pets.

Whatever you choose, remember that you do not have to sacrifice privacy when choosing either blinds or curtains, or both. Take the time to research all the options and you really can have the best of both worlds.

Regular cleaning of your window blinds, curtains, flyscreens and the window glass itself clears away the grit, grime, dust and pollutants that inevitably invade your space and dull the sparkle that clean windows add to a dwelling. However, did you know that there is another reason for keeping your windows clean that has nothing to do with keeping up appearances?

When is Dust not Dust?

If you haven’t cleaned your window blinds for a few weeks, you will notice a layer of what appears to be dust on them. You might think that this is dirt blown in from outside the dwelling, but in fact, most of the dust in your house is actually shed skin flakes. If that knowledge is not disturbing enough, these dust mites can cause health issues. This is especially true if any of the occupants of the dwelling have asthma, hay fever or other medical conditions that affect the respiratory system.

Pollen, Mould Spores and Pet Dander – Yuk!

Dust mites are most prevalent in humid areas like coastal cities and towns and are a major allergen. While they are also present in the drier inland, this is usually at lower levels, yet still an issue for someone who has a chronic allergy to them. Also present in dust, apart from skin flakes, are pollens, mould spores and if you have pets in the home, pet dander.

Blast the Mites with Sound Waves

While dust mites are almost impossible to eradicate from your home, using our blind cleaning process gives you a head start. When you hand over your blinds to us at Blind Concepts, we use an advanced ultrasonic cleaning method that removes grime and dust using high frequency sound waves. This process sanitises, deodorises and lubricates the blinds, and because the sound waves get into those hard-to-reach areas, the dust mites are blasted out.

Regular Vacuuming Will Reduce their Number

While we are taking care of your blinds, you can move onto the other areas of the dwelling that harbour dust mites. They like dark spaces so common hiding places are in bedding and mattresses, upholstered furniture, long-pile carpets and rugs and soft toys. Regular vacuum-cleaning of these and other areas of the home will reduce the number of dust mites, but it will never completely get rid of them.

Other Changes to Make to Reduce Symptoms

For those with asthma and allergies, it is important for their comfort and general health to make some other changes to reduce their symptoms. Avoid upholstered furniture and heavy curtains, and if possible, replace carpets with timber or vinyl flooring. These are just a couple of the suggested changes; using us to clean your blinds will take the hard work out of banishing those pesky dust mites.

Have you ever entered a residence that had great kerb appeal from the outside, only to find that while the interior décor was modern and stylish, the rooms were rather dark and gloomy? Homes like this often need artificial lighting on an overcast day, when the lighting should be adequate, especially in a modern home with large windows.

Perfect Windows need Blinds to Suit their Shape and Aspect

Often, the cause of this lack of light is that the window blinds are the wrong type for the shape of the window or for the aspect of the room. Many people, when choosing window blinds, opt for the same type for every room, thinking that consistency is the goal. However, this approach means that some windows will be perfect, and some will exhibit a varied range of design flaws.

This is something we see quite often when we are picking up blinds for cleaning from clients’ premises. At Blind Concepts, we offer a cleaning service using the latest ultrasonic cleaning technology. This is a very effective way of removing ingrained dirt, grime and grease on slats and hard to reach corners. What we also see are rooms outfitted with blinds that block light and air.

Bedrooms Need Natural Light

Bedrooms are a perfect example. Most homes have at least two smaller bedrooms for children, while the master bedroom and perhaps a guest bedroom have fixtures and fittings designed for adults. Having the same blinds in every bedroom is a missed opportunity. The adult rooms need something elegant that offers privacy but still allows in light, while the children’s rooms, also needing both privacy and light, must not have dangling cords or anything that can cause a hazard.

Blinds that Let in Light can Still Protect Privacy

Moving now to the family room, this is an important function space where much of the family interaction takes place, but often it is visible from the outside. While Venetians may not suit other rooms in the house, they are very versatile for this type of room where lots of light adds to the atmosphere, but a quick adjustment of the slats ensures privacy.

Kitchens Need All the Light they can Get

The kitchen is the heart of the home and needs every fixture and fitting to be practical and contribute to the overall efficiency of the space. Blinds on kitchen windows need to be easy to clean but also allow enough light into an area, which most of the time is busy.

There is no ‘one style fits all’ when it comes to window blinds. Each room should be assessed on its own merits, with function, aspect, need for privacy, climate control and the mood enhancing benefits of light all considered when choosing a suitable window blind.