Roller blinds are very popular as window coverings. They come in many different finishes and styles, and are available in literally hundreds of fabrics that cover a full spectrum of colors, textures, and patterns. They can be purchased custom or in pre-made blind sizes and even cut to fit a specific window size. But one problem roller blinds can have over time is fraying, usually from repeated use. Because these can be delicate and difficult to handle, they require special care when you want to repair them and limit damage. Here’s how to manually seal a frayed side of a roller blind if the blinds are out of warranty.
The first thing to do when trying to repair this is not to do it while the roller shutter is still attached to the window. Instead, remove the roller shade from its bracket and place it on the floor. The best idea here is to put it on top of old newspapers or another smooth surface. Be sure not to entangle the cables or damage them in any way. Because these items can be fragile when removed from their installation, care must be taken when handling them, paying particular attention not to soil the fabric. If you have rubber gloves, it’s a good idea to wear them, or at least be gentle with each blind. The first step is to carefully remove any pieces of fabric that have already frayed from the fabric with sharp scissors, being careful not to remove too much. Next, you’ll need a glue solution called Fray Stop, something you can get at any good haberdashery or is widely available online. Simply squeeze the container to gently squeeze out some of the sealant and apply the substance to the frayed side of the roller shutter, using a fine tip, usually included with the solution. Here, you can seal just the obviously frayed areas, or you can decide to seal the entire roller shutter, to prevent any future problems.
You can use cotton swabs or a towel to wipe the result and make sure no glue is exposed. The solution will generally turn white and clear as it dries. It is best to refer to the instructions on your fray-stop solution for how long the blinds should be allowed to dry, however if in doubt you can leave them overnight. Then, before you put the blinds back on, you should wait for the process to dry completely. This can take several hours. In the end, Fray Stop can help keep your blinds looking good and clean for years to come and extend the life of your product. Because it helps not only existing problems, but also keeps the blind safer from future problems, it’s a great solution.
In general, it is quite simple to manually seal a frayed side of a roller blind using a stop fray solution, and it is something that can not only solve a problem, but also improve the quality of your blinds. There is no need to pay a professional to do it, all it takes is the right steps and careful handling. Then you can do it all yourself, save money and extend the life of your blinds even more.