How to manually seal a fraying side of roller shades

Roller shades are a versatile window covering choice. They're available in a variety of fabrics, including those that block excess sunlight. Roller shades come in an assortment of precut sizes to fit different window widths. Some stores will even cut them to size, if needed.

One problem with roller shades is their tendency to fray on the sides after repeated use. This is an especially common problem if the shades are made from delicate, woven material.

To keep roller shades from becoming unsightly, seal frayed sides as soon as you notice the problem.

Remove the roller blind from the window. Unroll the blind completely and lay it out, over old newspapers, on the floor or on a large table. If the blind has pull cords, be careful not to tangle them.

Put on the rubber gloves to protect your hands. Open the fray sealer. Squeeze the fray sealer container gently to push the sealer out. Use the fray sealer's fine tip to carefully apply the sealer to the frayed edge of the roller blind. You can seal any obvious frayed areas only, or you can seal the entire side of the roller blind. Sealing the entire side of the roller blind will stop existing frays and prevent new ones.

Wipe off any excess fray sealer immediately. Use cotton swabs, or a cotton cloth or towel. If the excess fray sealer dries on the roller blind fabric, check the package to find out what type of solvent you can use to dissolve it. Some fray sealers can be removed with rubbing alcohol, followed by a rinse with water. Others can be dissolved with DD eucalyptus oil. Test an inconspicuous area of your roller blind first, to make sure the fabric won't be damaged by the solvent.

Leave your roller blind unrolled until the fray sealer is completely dry. The fray sealer package should state the drying time required. If not, leave it to dry overnight. Roll up your roller blind and put it back over your window.