Blinds offer an attractive and practical solution for controlling light and privacy in your home. Whether you need dim ambiance for sleeping in or full sun for reading by the window, blinds have you covered. However, over time blinds can fade, warp or sustain damage, requiring slat removal or replacement.
Do you need to replace stained or broken slats in your blinds? Or maybe you want to adjust blinds that are too long or just change up their appearance. Removing slats may sound complicated but can actually be quite easy, depending on your blind type.
In this post, we’ll provide a DIY guide for detaching slats from popular blind styles like verticals, Venetians and cellulars. With a few basic tools and by following the proper steps, you’ll have your blinds refreshed and back in working order in no time.
To remove slats from blinds, you need to lower the blinds, measure the desired length, mark the last slat, remove the plugs, cut the cords, slide out the slats, and reattach the bottom rail. The exact steps may differ for cordless, vertical, faux wood, venetian, and vinyl blinds.
What You Will Need
To remove slats from blinds, you will need the following tools and materials:
- A flat screwdriver or a similar tool to pry out the plugs
- A pair of scissors or a sharp knife to cut the cords
- A measuring tape or a ruler to mark the desired length
- A pencil or a marker to mark the slats
- A ladder or a stool to reach the top of the blinds
How to Remove Slats from Corded Blinds
Corded blinds are the most common type of blinds that have cords that run through the slats and control their movement. To remove slats from corded blinds, follow these steps:
- Lower the blinds and turn the slats into an open position. Measure the desired length and mark the last slat that you want to keep. This will be your guide for cutting the cords and removing the excess slats.
- Remove the plugs from the bottom rail of the blinds. The plugs are small plastic caps that cover the holes where the cords run through. You can use a flat screwdriver or a similar tool to pry them out gently. Be careful not to damage the plugs or the rail, as you will need them later.
- Cut through the holes of the slats that you want to remove. Use a pair of scissors or a sharp knife to carefully cut through each hole of each slat that you want to remove, including the marked slat. Make sure to cut only through the holes and not between them, as this will damage the cords and ruin the blinds.
- Cut only the outer ladder string of each slat that you want to remove. The ladder string is the cord that runs along both sides of the slats and holds them together. Do not cut the inner cord, which is the cord that runs through the middle of each slat and controls the tilt of the blinds. If you cut the inner cord, you will break the mechanism of the blinds and make them unusable.
- Slide out the slats that you want to remove. After cutting through each hole and each ladder string, you should be able to slide out each slat that you want to remove easily. You can discard them or reuse them for other purposes.
- Reattach the bottom rail to the last slat that you want to keep. Slide in the bottom rail through each hole of the last slat that you want to keep. Make sure that it is aligned with both sides of the ladder string and that it fits snugly into each hole.
- Tie a knot on each end of each inner cord and tuck them into each hole of the bottom rail. This will secure the bottom rail and prevent it from sliding out.
- Replace the plugs into each hole of the bottom rail. Push them firmly until they snap into place.
- Adjust the tilt of your blinds and enjoy your new look.
How to Remove Slats from Cordless Blinds
Cordless blinds are a convenient and safe option for window treatments, as they eliminate the need for cords that can get tangled or pose a risk for children and pets. However, cordless blinds may also need some adjustments, such as removing slats to shorten the length or change their appearance.
To remove slats from cordless blinds, follow these steps:
- Lower the blinds and turn the slats into an open position. Measure the desired length and mark the last slat that you want to keep. This will be your guide for cutting the cords and removing the excess slats.
- Remove the plugs from the bottom rail of the blinds. The plugs are small plastic caps that cover the holes where the cords run through. You can use a flat screwdriver or a similar tool to pry them out gently. Be careful not to damage the plugs or the rail, as you will need them later.
- Cut through the holes of the slats that you want to remove. Use a pair of scissors or a sharp knife to carefully cut through each hole of each slat that you want to remove, including the marked slat. Make sure to cut only through the holes and not between them, as this will damage the cords and ruin the blinds.
- Cut only the outer ladder string of each slat that you want to remove. The ladder string is the cord that runs along both sides of the slats and holds them together. Do not cut the inner cord, which is the cord that runs through the middle of each slat and controls the tilt of the blinds. If you cut the inner cord, you will break the mechanism of the blinds and make them unusable.
- Slide out the slats that you want to remove. After cutting through each hole and each ladder string, you should be able to slide out each slat that you want to remove easily. You can discard them or reuse them for other purposes.
- Reattach the bottom rail to the last slat that you want to keep. Slide in the bottom rail through each hole of the last slat that you want to keep. Make sure that it is aligned with both sides of the ladder string and that it fits snugly into each hole.
- Tie a knot on each end of each inner cord and tuck them into each hole of the bottom rail. This will secure the bottom rail and prevent it from sliding out.
- Replace the plugs into each hole of the bottom rail. Push them firmly until they snap into place.
- Adjust the tilt of your blinds and enjoy your new look.
How to Remove Slats from Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are a type of blinds that have vertical slats that hang from a track and can be tilted or drawn to the side to control the light and privacy. Vertical blinds are often used for large windows or sliding doors, but they may also need some adjustments, such as removing slats to shorten the length or replace them if they are damaged or stained.
To remove slats from vertical blinds, follow these steps:
- Tilt the slats into an open position and draw them to one side. This will give you access to the hooks that hold the slats to the track.
- Use a credit card or any thin object to push the hooks and detach the slats. Slide the card between the hook and the track and gently push it until the hook releases the slat. You can also use your fingers to pinch the hook and pull it out of the track, but be careful not to hurt yourself or damage the hook.
- Slide out the slats that you want to remove. You can discard them or reuse them for other purposes.
- Slide in the new slats or reattach the old ones if you want to keep them. Align the hole at the top of the slat with the hook on the track and snap it into place. Make sure that all the slats are facing the same direction and are evenly spaced.
- Tilt and draw your blinds as desired and enjoy your new look.
Conclusion
Still worried removing your blind slats will be difficult? As you’ve seen, with the right technique and a few basic tools, the process can be straightforward for common blind types.
Whether updating your decor or performing necessary maintenance, blind slat removal and replacement is a useful skill to have. Your windows will be refreshed and your blinds back in working order, controlling light and privacy as needed once again. Don’t live with damaged or improperly sized blinds – use this guide to detach and replace slats with ease. Your windows and wallet will thank you! Enjoy your revitalized view
