Mini blinds provide privacy, block the sun and usually work perfectly for years. Here are our best tips and fixes for mini blinds that could use a little TLC.
Mini Blind Tips and Fixes
![Shorten Horizontal Blinds](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH02DJA_SHOBLI_01.jpg)
Shorten Horizontal Blinds
![Easy Blind Cleaner](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH07DJA_474_WINDUST.jpg)
Easy Blind Cleaner
Keep some inexpensive cotton or microfiber gloves around the house for cleaning your blinds. Slip on a glove and run you fingers over the slats. When the gloves get dirty, pop them into the wash. It's that easy!
![Mini Blind Cord Safety](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH98JUN_01361003.jpg)
Mini Blind Cord Safety
Keep mini blind cords safely out of the reach of infants and toddlers by putting suction cups with hooks on the window. You won't have to drill holes in either the wall or the casing for cord brackets. And when the kids are older, you can just remove the hooks—no holes to repair!
![Straighten a Bent Blind](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH13JUN_slats_34.jpg)
Straighten a Bent Blind
![Mini Blind Bracket Hole Template](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH01OCT_02451_001_002.jpg)
Mini Blind Bracket Hole Template
Marking the pilot holes for mini blind or other small brackets is painstaking work. Transfer the pilot holes to a piece of tape, and stick the tape where the bracket is to be fastened. Drill the pilot holes and mount your brackets.
![Operate Mini Blinds Covered with Shrink Film](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH10OCT_WINMNB_01_02.jpg)
Operate Mini Blinds Covered with Shrink Film
If you apply plastic shrink film to your windows to keep out cold winter drafts, you can continue to use your blinds if you follow these steps. For more tips on staying warm in the winter, check out this collection.
![Mini Blind Lift Cord Fix](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/FH00NOV_FIXCOR_02.jpg)
Mini Blind Lift Cord Fix
![Make Your Windows Work for You](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/2017_MAR_miniblindtf_.jpg)
Make Your Windows Work for You
Keep open the blinds or drapes on windows with direct sun exposure (usually on the south side of the house) to let the sunlight heat the room. Heating doesn't get any cheaper than this! At night, close the blinds or drapes to cover the cold glass.