Question from Stacey
Hi Debra,
I am looking for reasonably priced blinds for a bathroom and kitchen window. I see Home Depot has Aluminum blinds which are pretty cheap. Are these safe? If not, do you have any other suggestions? The windows are not standard so any other “natural” shades can be expensive…
Thank you!
Debra’s Answer
Aluminum blinds are fine.
I just purchases a set of blinds fromHome Depot. My husband had to take them down due to the smell. I rather not have blinds that smell toxic.
Good point. I don’t know if it was a baked on powder coat or not. However, starting in the early ’90s, I began noticing that some metals that did have the baked on powder coat did have an odor that was a problem for me. A set of outdoor metal chairs and table advertised as having the baked on powder coat still smell after 15 years.
In 1987 I purchased aluminum mini blinds from JC Penny & from Sears. After a good washing the JCP blinds were fine, but I could smell what seemed to be an oil based paint odor on the ones from Sears. After much more washing and airing the odor eventually got better. However, when I take them down to wash off the dust, hot water still brings the paint smell out.
In the late 90s I bought more aluminum mini blinds from JCP. This time, unfortunately, there was a chemical smell on them which much washing with baking soda, detergent, vinegar, etc., and airing did not dissipate. Today, some 17 years later, the odor is the same, so I am not able to use them.
I have tested samples from several companies and detect a chemical odor that I am unable to remove on all of them. I don’t remember which companies I purchased the additional samples from.
It would be prudent to test samples before making a purchase, & verify that the samples are made exactly as the current blinds of each company are. It can be hard to test small samples, even with the jar test, so you may want to purchase only one pair of blinds and see if they are OK before spending more money.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I said aluminum blinds are OK based on my experience but also just knowing what they are made of.
Aluminum blinds are made of aluminum with what is called a “powder coat” finish. It is baked on to adhere to the metal.
I’m not sure what the source of the odor was that you experienced, and agree with your advice. In general, though, they should be nontoxic and without odor.
Perhaps yours had some other kind of finish.