Updated July 2025: Have a pair of gray mini blinds gathering dust? Whether they’re for small window blinds, over that front door small window, or a nostalgic relic from your first apartment, old mini blinds don’t need to be tossed. With a bit of creativity and care, they can live on — looking fresh and serving new purposes.
What Are Mini Blinds & Why They’re Worth Keeping
Mini blinds are compact, lightweight window treatments made of aluminum or vinyl. They’re perfect for mini blinds home basics: affordable, easy to install, and available in every neutral shade.
While they’re not as trendy now, they still deliver reliable privacy control — open them for light, close them for seclusion. Wondering mini blinds blinds up or down for privacy? They offer surprisingly precise light control when installed and operated correctly.
Plus, all SelectBlinds aluminum mini blinds offer a Cordless lift. How do cordless blinds work? You raise or lower the shade by moving the bottom rail up or down. They offer child safety and a neat, cord-free look.
Before you uninstall them, consider: how long do blinds last? Many mini blinds remain functional for 5–10 years. Are they broken and need new mini blinds brackets, or do they simply need a good clean?
Refresh with a Deep-Clean
Cleaning is the first step in restoring your mini blinds to working order.
- Use a vacuum with brush attachment or duster to remove dust. Wipe from top slat to bottom.
- For stubborn marks, spray a microfiber cloth with soapy water and wipe each slat.
Once cleaned, your mini blinds (especially in gray mini blinds styles) will pop, ready for day-to-day use as living room blinds. Or you may decide it is time to uninstall them and repurpose them.
Repurpose Slats with DIY Creativity
Even if the blinds themselves won’t hang again, there are several options for repurposing the aluminum slats.
- Use them as a paint edger instead of painter’s tape.
- Save a slat or two to slide between cabinets or under furniture to retrieve hard-to-reach items, like a dog’s toy that rolled away.
- Shorten the slats and use them as garden markers
- After cutting the slats, use them as book markers
- Weave the slats into coasters or picture frames.
Check out the Family Handyman for more inspiration! With some effort, your front door small window blinds might become something beautiful.
Recycle or Donate Responsibly
If you’re not interested in keeping your mini blinds, don’t default to the trash. Ask first if any of your friends would be interested in custom aluminum blinds. Facebook Marketplace is another place to advertise your product. You can also call your local recycling center to see if they would accept used blinds.
Get Creative & Sustainably Style Your Blinds
Mini blinds aren’t out — they’re underrated! Whether you restore them for continued use, transform slats into decor, or recycle them responsibly, you’re making smart choices for your home.
Want to buy window blinds and shades online, or see the window shades for sale at SelectBlinds? Head to our website today!
FAQs: Mini Blind Home Basics
Q: How often should I clean mini blinds?
A: Every 1–2 weeks for dust; deeper clean every few months helps maintain mini blinds.
Q: Best practices for privacy?
A: Close the blinds slat-down during the day to block visibility while still allowing light—then blinds up or down for privacy, depending on your needs.
Q: Best practices for privacy?
A: Close the blinds slat-down during the day to block visibility while still allowing light—then blinds up or down for privacy, depending on your needs.
