The Easiest Way to Remove Every Type of Blinds Without Damaging Your Window Frame

Removing blinds can be tricky. Whether you’re removing them to replace them with new window treatments or to paint the window frame, you’ll want to do so without damaging the window frame. The trick to removing most blinds is to uncover the hidden mounting hardware, as they’re intended to look seamlessly installed.

Below, we’ve explained how to remove different types of blinds such as horizontal blinds, roller blinds, Venetian blinds, Roman blinds, and more, plus how to identify which types of blinds you have.

5 Reasons Why You Would Remove Blinds

There are several reasons one may want to remove window blinds without damaging the window frame. Here are some common ones:

• Replacing them because they’re old. Blinds don’t last forever—especially budget-friendly options. Eventually, blinds tear, bend, and begin to show other signs of wear, and replacing them is the best option.
• Changing them out for a new style. With so many different styles of blinds to choose from, you can completely change your interior design by swapping your blinds for a new style or choosing a different kind of window treatment.
• Winterizing your windows. To prepare your windows for the frigid temps headed your way, proper window winterization is a must. However, winterizing windows is much easier to do when you’re working around blinds.
• Painting the window frame. Trying to paint a window frame around your blinds is a recipe for disaster. Removing the blinds and hardware before painting gives you more room to work and spares them from paint mishaps.
• Deep-cleaning them. Blinds attract dust and grime and can get very dingy over time, requiring an occasional deep cleaning to maintain a clean look. While you can clean your blinds while they’re mounted, removing them allows for easier and more thorough cleaning.

Want more home reno project tips and inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest how-tos, reno guides, and more!

How to Remove Different Types of Blinds

No matter which type of blinds you have, the removal process is similar. However, each type of blinds has its quirks you need to know to ensure you remove them without damaging the blinds or the window frame. Each of the examples below features a brief description to help you determine which type of blinds you have.

How to Remove Horizontal Blinds

Horizontal blinds encompass any blinds with horizontal slats, whether thick or thin. Removing horizontal blinds, often called Venetian blinds, is often simpler than it seems. While different types of horizontal blinds may have slight variations in the type of hardware used to hold them, the process is generally similar across brands. Here’s how to do it:

1. Draw the blinds. Pull the string to lift the blinds into the open position. This will make the brackets easier to access and the removal process much easier.
2. Remove any decorative trim pieces. Some blinds have decorative trim pieces at the top to cover the brackets and hardware. If this is the case with yours, it will likely consist of a flat trim piece spanning the top of the window. This trim piece is usually held in place by easy-to-remove plastic clips.
3. Locate the brackets. The blinds will be held to the window frame by metal brackets on each end. Depending on the width of the blinds, there may be one or more brackets in the middle section. Some brackets are fixed while others have spring-loaded clips.
4. Pull the blinds from the bracket. To remove the blinds, pry the top of the bracket up and roll the headrail downward.
5. Depress the spring-loaded clips. If the headrail isn’t coming out of the bracket easily, you likely have spring-loaded clips holding it in place. To depress the springs, push the entire headrail toward the window, then roll it downward and out of the brackets.
6. Uninstall the brackets. Once the blinds are removed from the brackets, unscrew the brackets from the window frame and remove them.

How to Remove Horizontal Mini Blinds

The smaller horizontal blinds are often referred to as “mini blinds.” Mini blinds are what you likely consider standard blinds, as they are some of the most popular types of blinds. The process for removing them is very similar to the larger horizontal blinds and goes as follows:

1. Draw the blinds. For corded mini blinds, lift them utilizing the string. For cordless mini blinds, lift them by pushing the blinds upward toward the headrail.
2. Pry the bracket clips. Using your fingers or a tool such as pliers or a screwdriver, pry the portion of the bracket that is clipping the headrail in place away from the headrail. Repeat on all brackets.
3. Look for spring-loaded clips. If your brackets have nowhere to pry against, they likely have spring-loaded clips. Instead of prying, you simply push the entire headrail toward the window to depress the springs.
4. Remove the headrail. Rotate the headrail downward while pulling it toward you. It may take a couple of tries to get the correct motion.
5. Uninstall the brackets. Remove the brackets by unscrewing them from the window frame.

How to Remove Roller Blinds

Roller blinds often consist of a solid sheet of material that rolls up around a cylinder positioned at the top of the window. Many blackout blinds are roller blinds, as the solid material does a great job of blocking out the light. Here’s how to remove roller blinds:

1. Draw the blinds. Just like horizontal blinds, roller blinds are easier to remove if you lift them until they’re fully open.
2. Unhook the chain safety clip. For roller blinds that are operated by a chain, look for the chain safety clip near the bottom of the window and remove the chain from the clip. You may have to remove a screw to do so.
3. Locate the safety clamp. At the top of the window, head to the side of the roller blinds opposite the chain. This is where you’ll find the safety clamp, which prevents the roller blind from falling out of the bracket during operation. The safety clamp may release differently, depending on your style of roller blind.
4. Undo the safety clamp. For higher-end roller blinds, you can release the safety clamp by squeezing the two sides and rotating the blinds. On budget roller blinds, you must use a flat screwdriver to pry the clamp away from the bracket, which will release the blinds.
5. Pull the roller from the brackets. Once the safety clamp has been disengaged, remove the blinds from the bracket. The side of the blinds with the chain should simply pull out of the bracket.
6. Uninstall the brackets. Unscrew the brackets from the window frame to remove them.

How to Remove Vertical Blinds

Vertical blinds consist of vertical slats hanging from a headrail that spans the distance of a large window or door. They’re typically reserved for covering glass doorways, most often sliding glass doors, as they can be pulled completely to the side of the doorway. Here’s how to quickly and safely remove vertical blinds:

1. Close the blinds. Unlike most other processes of removing blinds, removing vertical blinds is easier to do when they’re closed.
2. Rotate them open. With the slats stretched across the doorward, rotate them into the open position.
3. Remove any decorative trim. Just like Venetian blinds, vertical blinds often feature a horizontal trim piece that stretches across the top of the blinds and hides the brackets and hardware. The trim piece may be plastic, wood, or faux wood. Remove this by prying it off the plastic clips, then removing the plastic clips from the frame.
4. Remove each vane. The vanes (vertical slats) are held to the track with plastic clips. Although they’re easy to remove, you can easily damage the vanes or the clips while doing so. Luckily, there’s an easy trick to get this done without damage. To do so, slide a credit card inside the clip to separate the two sides, then slide the vane out of the clip.
5. Remove the pole. Remove the pole that controls the blinds by unhooking it from the headrail.
6. Remove the headrail from the brackets. Depending on the size and weight of the vertical blinds, the headrail could be attached to the brackets in different ways. For heavier vertical blinds, the headrail may be screwed securely into the brackets. To separate them, you’ll have to first remove the screws. For lighter vertical blinds, the headrail may clip into the brackets and you can simply pry open the clips and remove the headrail.
7. Remove the brackets. Unscrew the brackets from the window frame to remove them.

How to Remove Roman Blinds

Roman blinds may look similar to shades, but they’re technically blinds and are attached to the window frame very similarly to other types of blinds. They’re often made of fabric that bunches up as you draw them up toward the headrail. Here’s how to remove Roman blinds:

1. Remove the headrail cover. Many Roman blinds feature a portion of fabric that folds up to cover the headrail. This is often attached with velcro and can simply be pulled away to expose the headrail.
2. Examine the brackets. Some Roman shades feature small levers that can be pulled with a screwdriver, while others feature spring-loaded clips. Examine yours closely to determine which type it has.
3. Pull the lever. If you have the lever style, pull it away from the headrail using a screwdriver to release the headrail from the brackets.
4. Depress the spring-loaded clips. If your Roman blinds have spring brackets, depress the springs by pushing the headrail toward the window.
5. Remove the headrail. Once the brackets are disengaged, roll the headrail downward and lift it from the brackets to remove the blinds.
6. Remove the brackets. Unscrew the brackets from the window frame to remove them.

How to Dispose of Old Blinds

If you’re replacing or getting rid of your blinds altogether, you don’t have to throw your old blinds away. Here are some better ways to dispose of old blinds:

1. Recycle them. Most blinds are made up of recyclable materials. Before heading to your recycling center, call to confirm they accept blinds.
2. Scrapyard. If you have blinds made of steel or aluminum, skip the call to the recycle center and head to a metal scrapyard. You may be able to recycle your metal blinds in exchange for cash, which can add up if you’re looking to dispose of a lot of old blinds.
3. Donate them. If your blinds are still in usable condition, donating them to Habitat for Humanity or a thrift store may be an option in your area.
4. Repurpose them. If you have fabric blinds, you can cut the fabric off and repurpose it or donate it. The slats and vanes of blinds can be used for various projects, such as DIY plant markers.
5. Give them back to the manufacturer. Some blind manufacturers offer take-back programs so you can turn in your old blinds.
6. Compost them. If your blinds are made out of wood, there’s a good chance they can be composted. Simply cut them into small pieces and toss them into the compost.
7. Throw them away. While it’s not ideal to put your blinds in the landfill, you can throw most types of blinds away if you don’t have another feasible disposal solution.