Take the blind down, rethread new cords through the rings, then rehang it with a child-safety cleat fitted.
RB-01Set up your workspaceClear a table or floor space long enough to lay the whole blind out flat. Put down an old sheet or towel to protect the fabric. Before you touch anything, take a clear photo of the cord routing on the back of the blind — you'll copy this exactly when restringing.
RB-02Take the blind downMost roman blinds lift straight off their top brackets without tools. If yours is screwed into a headrail bracket, undo the screws and set them aside somewhere you won't lose them. Lay the blind face-down on your workspace with the headrail at the top.
RB-03Remove the old cordsUntie or cut out the old cords from each vertical row of rings, working from the bottom knot upwards. Keep one old cord aside as a length reference. Check the rings themselves — replace any that are cracked or pulling away from the fabric.
1 pack · Replacement rings (pack of 20) RB-04Cut and seal new cord lengthsMeasure the blind's drop and add about 500mm extra per cord for the cord lock and hand-pull, using your old cord as a guide. Cut one length per vertical row of rings. Seal each cut end with a lighter flame for a second, or dab on clear nail varnish, so it doesn't fray.
1 reel · Roman blind cord (10m reel) RB-05Thread cords up through the ringsStarting at the bottom ring of each column, tie a firm double knot to anchor the cord, then thread it up through every ring in that row, following the same route you photographed. Keep each row's cord separate and untangled as you go.
RB-06Feed cords through the headrailAt the top, guide each cord over the pulleys or through the eyelets inside the headrail, then out through the cord lock at the side, exactly as the old cords ran. Keep the cords parallel and flat — twisted cords will make the blind hang unevenly.
RB-07Test the action flat on the tableBefore rehanging, pull the cords to raise and lower the blind while it's still lying flat. Check the folds close evenly across the width. If one side lifts faster, adjust that row's bottom knot slightly and retest.
RB-08Rehang the blindLift the headrail back onto its brackets, or refit the screws if it's a screw-fixed bracket. Check it sits level and pull the cords once more to confirm it raises and lowers smoothly in place.
RB-09Fit a child-safety cleat or breakaway deviceFix a cord cleat to the wall or window frame at a height out of reach of small children, and wind the looped cords around it whenever the blind isn't in use. If your blind came with a breakaway cord connector, fit that too rather than leaving a continuous loop.
RULES1 each · Blind cord safety cleat KNOW THE RULES
UK regulations require corded blinds to have a safety device (a cleat or breakaway connector) fitted so looped cords can't form a strangulation hazard for children.
RB-10Tidy upCoil any excess cord neatly and secure it on the cleat. Bin the old cord and any offcuts. Give the blind a quick check over its full range of movement one more time before you leave it.
Some links may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Save this as a projectBack to all guides