How to Fix Venetian Blinds

Venetian blinds are one of the most practical and long-lasting window treatments around, but they can develop problems. When the cords break or the tapes look frayed and shabby, you can give your blinds new life by installing replacement cords and tapes, often sold in kits. 

What You'll Need
Here are the tools you'll want to have on hand to replace the lifting cord on a venetian blind:
  • Replacement lift cord
  • Adhesive tape
  • Scissors

Replacing the Lift Cord
If the blind is clean and otherwise in good condition and the old lift cord is not broken, you can install a new lift cord without removing the unit from the window. Here are some easy steps to replace the lift cord on a venetian blind:

Step 1: With blinds down, tilt slats horizontally. Ends of cord are secured to underside of bottom rail. If bottom rail is wood, knotted ends of cord are simply stapled under ends of tapes. If bottom rail is metal, remove end caps and clamps from rail to expose knotted cords. Untie knot on side opposite lift cord, and butt end of new cord to this end. Tape two ends firmly together with adhesive tape.

Here is the path of a venetian blind's lift cord.
©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
A venetian blind's lift cord is threaded up one side of the blind, over a pulley,
across the top and through the control pulley, and then down the other side.
A loop of cord from the control pulley forms the lift control.

Step 2: Pull gently on old lift cord to draw new cord up through slats on this side, across top, and through control pulleys. Leave a loop of excess cord for new lift cord, and continue to draw cord down through slats on lift cord side.

An equalizer clips allows for adjustment of the lift cord.
©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
An equalizer clip allows for
adjustments of the lift cord.

Step 3: When taped end of new cord reaches bottom rail, untape old cord, discard it, and cut off any excess cord at starting end. Knot both ends of new cord, and secure them the same way old cord was secured. Replace end caps on bottom rail, and slide equalizer clip off old lift cord and onto new one. Adjust cord with equalizer until blind works smoothly.

Replacing Lopsided or Tilted Cords

It's important to have properly working cords on a venetian blind. Sometimes the cord can become lopsided or tilted after extensive use and affect how the blind functions. Use these directions to replace a tilted cord:

Step 1: Untie or cut off knots at ends of tilt cord, and remove pulls. Tilt cord is simply threaded over pulley and out again; it doesn't connect with lift cord. Remove old tilt cord by pulling it out. Then thread one end of new cord over pulley and feed it in until it comes out over other side of pulley.

Step 2: Slip cord pulls over ends of cord, and knot ends to hold the pulls on.

Cleaning Slats and Ladder Tapes

To keep your venetian blinds working properly and lasting longer, it's important to clean the slats and replace the ladder tapes when necessary.

What You'll Need
Here are the tools you'll want on hand to clean slats and replace ladder tapes on a venetian blind:
  • Dishwashing detergent
  • Replacement tapes
  • Scissors
  • Replacement lift cord
  • Adhesive tape

Use the following steps to clean the slats and replace the ladder tapes:

Step 1: Take blind down and lay it out flat, all the way open. Untie both ends of lift cord, as above. Pull cord out of blind, and set equalizer clip aside.

Step 2: Remove slats one by one, stacking them in order. If they're dirty, soak them in detergent solution, then rinse and dry them thoroughly on both sides.

Step 3: Pull out hooks that hold tapes in place at the top of blind. (One hook holds tapes on each side.) Position new tapes in top box and slide hook into each pair of tapes, front and back, at sides of box. Slide slats into place between tapes; make sure they're all right side up, facing the right way. Fold ends of tapes under, and fasten them to bottom rail under last slat.

Removing slats of a venetian blind requires removing the lift cord and dismantling the ladder.
©2006 Publications International, Ltd.
Removing slats from a venetian blind system requires removing
the lift cord and dismantling the ladder.

Step 4: Thread lift cord into blind, starting at tilt cord side and working up that side, across top, through control pulley, and down other side. Tapes have woven strips, or ladders, connecting front and back pieces on alternating sides. Insert new cord right at center of tapes, so these ladders are placed on alternate sides of cord. At control pulley, leave long loop of cord for new lift cord, and keep threading cord down through slats on that side.

Step 5: Cut off any excess cord, knot both ends of the cord, and secure ends to bottom rail.

Step 6: Slide equalizer clip onto lift cord, and install new tilt cord, as described previously.

Before rehanging the blind, check the control pulley mechanism to make sure it's working properly. If you can see dirt or lint in the pulleys, vacuum it out, and wipe the mechanism clean with a soft cloth. Then spray a little silicone lubricant into the pulleys to keep them working smoothly.

By following the tips in this article, you will be able to keep your windows looking like new and working properly.

©Publications International, Ltd.