The Simple Trick That Helps Peel & Stick Shades Last Longer

If you're looking for a budget-friendly alternative to installing new blinds or curtains, peel-and-stick window shades might be a great fit for your home. These fixtures are typically made of paper, come in multiple colors, and offer a quick fix to any privacy concerns you might have from leaving your windows open, especially during the evenings. They're also a great DIY decor trick for renters that makes it easy to avoid damaging the wall or the window itself. However, if you've tried these handy shades before, you might have noticed that their adhesive can wear away over time, which eventually causes them to fall.

Luckily, there's a simple trick you can implement when installing your peel-and-stick shades to make them last significantly longer. Instead of just taking them out of the package and putting them up right away, take a quick glance at the underside of the window frame. Unfortunately, all sorts of dust and grime can collect on this surface, especially because you're probably not looking there very often. Gently washing this area with diluted isopropyl alcohol makes the adhesive on the shades last longer, which means you ultimately get more bang for your buck. This trick is one of many clever ways to use rubbing alcohol around the house.

Cleaning and then drying your window frame before hanging your peel-and-stick shades will go a long way toward increasing their lifespan. However, there are a few other hacks you can try during installation that will also keep them around for longer. First, measure your window to determine exactly how much of the paper you should cut away. If your shades and blinds fit well, they shouldn't move around too much if they catch a draft, which should help reduce strain on the adhesive. Use either a box cutter or a knife rather than scissors so that the edges look even.

Just as with other peel-and-stick DIY products, it's a good idea to hold the sticky side in place for at least 30 seconds to a minute when you first put it up, applying as much pressure as possible. If the underside of the window frame is difficult to reach, use a ladder to ensure your own safety and stability. After holding the taped part in place for a little while, slowly unfurl the shades as evenly as possible so that you don't rip them. If the product comes with heavy plastic or metal clips, make sure to evenly distribute the weight along the bottom of the paper rather than attaching everything to one side.