Question from M.E.B
Hi Debra –
We have blackout blinds in our room. Our room faces southeast and gets blasted by the rising sun. Every morning when the sun is out and not when it’s overcast, a horrible chemical-esque smell fills the bedroom. After having the crawlspace, attic, and HVAC system inspected we realized it was coming from the blinds. Something on the blinds seems to be reactive once exposed to sunlight for a short period of time. We are going to have them replaced but have you ever heard of such a problem?
Debra’s Answer
It’s entirely possible for blackout blinds to give off an odor.
My husband and I have black cotton curtains that we purchased from Target. They aren’t as thick as blackout curtains, but they greatly reduce the light from streaming in our east bedroom window if we want to sleep in the morning. Last time I looked (September 2007) they were still carrying them. They had no odor after we washed them with soap and water.
