How to Straighten Bent Aluminium Venetian Blind Slats

Aluminium slats bend easily. A knocked blind, a trapped cord, or a pet that decided the slats were a good place to sleep are all it takes.

The good news: most bends and kinks are fixable at home without buying replacement slats, as long as the aluminium hasn’t cracked or torn.

What You’ll Need

Tools

• Flat, hard work surface (a kitchen table or floor works fine)
• Clothes iron or heat gun (optional, for stubborn kinks)
• Clean cotton cloth or tea towel (if using an iron)
• Scissors (if cord needs to be re-tied)

Materials / Replacement Parts

• Replacement slats (only if the aluminium has cracked or torn)
• Replacement ladder tape (only if the tape was damaged during removal)
• Spare cord (only if the lift cord was cut or knotted during removal)

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How to Fix It: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Remove the Bent Slats

You can’t straighten slats properly while they’re still in the blind. Take them out first.

1. Lower the blind fully and tilt the slats to the open (horizontal) position.
2. Remove the bottom rail by pulling out the knotted cord ends from the cord lock holes underneath it. Set the rail aside.
3. Slide the bent slat downward through the ladder rungs until it comes free. On most aluminium venetians, the slats sit in the ladder tape with no clips, so they pull out without force.
4. If multiple slats are bent, remove them all at once now rather than making repeat trips.

Step 2: Press Out the Bend by Hand

For light bends and gentle kinks, hand pressure on a flat surface is usually enough.

1. Lay the slat on a flat, hard surface with the bent side facing up.
2. Place both palms along the length of the slat and press down firmly. Work from the centre of the bend outward toward the edges.
3. Flip the slat and check the underside. Some bends transfer a slight curve to the reverse side after pressing. Repeat on that side if needed.
4. Hold the slat up to eye level to check the straightness. A slight remaining bow is fine and won’t affect how the blind operates. A sharp kink that won’t move needs heat.

Step 3: Use Heat for Stubborn Kinks

Aluminium becomes more pliable when warm, which makes kinks easier to work out. Don’t overdo the heat.

1. Set a clothes iron to its lowest heat setting. Never apply the iron directly to the slat.
2. Place a clean cotton cloth over the kinked section of the slat.
3. Press the iron over the cloth for 5 to 10 seconds. Remove the iron and press the slat firmly flat with your hands while it’s still warm.
4. Let it cool for 30 seconds before checking the result. Repeat if the kink is still visible.
5. If you don’t have an iron, a hair dryer on a medium setting held 5cm from the slat for 15 to 20 seconds works too.

Step 4: Rethread and Test

Getting slats back in is the fiddliest part of the job. Take it slow.

1. Feed each slat back up through the ladder rungs from the bottom, starting with the lowest slat position and working upward.
2. Make sure the slat sits level in the ladder tape, with equal tape showing on both sides.
3. Once all slats are back in place, reinsert the lift cords through each slat hole from top to bottom and re-tie the knots in the bottom rail.
4. Rehang the blind, lower it fully and tilt the slats back and forth a few times to confirm everything runs freely.
5. Check the straightened slats from a distance with the blind closed. Any remaining bow will be obvious at this point. If one slat is still noticeably off, repeat the heat treatment before deciding to replace it.