There are three reasons most people need to remove their honeycomb cellular blinds: deep cleaning, rehanging after painting or replacing window trim, or replacing a broken component. The process takes under five minutes and usually requires no tools at all – once you know which type of bracket you have.
That is the step most guides skip. Your removal method depends entirely on how the blind is mounted and which operating system it uses. Get that wrong and you risk bending the headrail or cracking a bracket. Get it right and the blind lifts off cleanly in seconds.
Quick Answer
Raise the blind fully. Locate the mounting brackets. Push the headrail back toward the window with your thumbs, tilt the back edge downward, then pull the front of the headrail forward and off the brackets. For cordless shades, press the release tab on each bracket first. No tools required for most removals.
This guide applies to all honeycomb blinds Edmonton configurations – the bracket types vary but the removal sequence is the same.
Step One – Identify Your Mount Type Before You Touch Anything
This is the step that saves the bracket.
Inside mount – the headrail sits inside the window recess, flush with or recessed into the frame. The brackets are screwed into the top or sides of the window recess interior. Most common in Canadian homes with deep window frames.
Outside mount – the headrail sits above the window frame on the wall or ceiling. The brackets are screwed into the wall surface or ceiling above the window opening. Common in homes with shallow window frames or where maximum light coverage is needed.
The removal technique is the same for both – but knowing which you have tells you where the brackets are and what direction to apply pressure.
If you’re replacing the blind and the room has moisture issues, consider switching to roller blinds in moisture-resistant fabric, which require no special cleaning technique.
Step Two – Identify Your Operating System
Standard cord loop or chain lift – has a visible operating cord on one side and no spring mechanism in the brackets.
Cordless – no visible cord. The blind raises and lowers by lifting the bottom rail directly. The brackets have a spring-loaded release tab.
Top-down/bottom-up – has two rails, one at the top and one in the middle or bottom, each with their own operating system. Requires releasing both rails.
Motorized – operates by remote or smart home system. Must be fully raised using the motor before removal. Do not attempt to manually raise a motorized blind.
How to Remove Standard Honeycomb Blinds (Cord Loop Operating System)
What you need: Flathead screwdriver (sometimes). One other person for wide blinds.
- Raise the blind fully to its maximum height. This protects the pleated fabric from creasing during removal.
- If a hold-down bracket is attached at the bottom of the window, unclip or unscrew it first.
- Locate the mounting brackets – you will see them at the top of the headrail, usually two or three across the width of the blind.
- Place both thumbs on the back of the headrail, directly over where the brackets sit.
- Push the headrail firmly toward the window. This disengages the back of the headrail from the bracket hooks.
- While pushing back, tilt the back edge of the headrail downward so it clears the back of the bracket.
- Pull the front of the headrail forward and out of the brackets toward you.
- If the headrail does not release, insert a flathead screwdriver between the bracket and headrail and gently twist – this depresses any spring clip holding the headrail in place.
Set the blind down flat on a clean surface. Do not lean it against a wall by the fabric – lean it by the headrail end only.
If you’re deciding whether to replace the blind or switch to an alternative, our guide to are honeycomb blinds worth it covers the honest cost-benefit for Edmonton homes.
How to Remove Cordless Honeycomb Blinds
Cordless shades use a spring-loaded bracket with a release tab. The removal process differs slightly.
- Raise the blind fully using the bottom rail. Lift until it is fully compressed at the top.
- Locate the release tab on each bracket – it is a small plastic tab on the back or underside of the bracket, visible when you look up at the headrail from below.
- Press the first release tab inward with your finger or a pen while supporting that side of the headrail with your other hand.
- Repeat on each bracket along the headrail.
- Once all tabs are pressed, the headrail lifts forward and out of the brackets toward you.
On some cordless brackets, pressing the tab and tilting simultaneously is required – press the tab, tilt the back of the headrail down, and pull forward in one motion.
How to Remove Top-Down/Bottom-Up Honeycomb Blinds
Top-down/bottom-up blinds have two rails – a top rail (the headrail with the mounting brackets) and a bottom rail. Both must be released carefully.
- Return both rails to their neutral position – top rail at the top, bottom rail in the middle or at the bottom.
- Release any hold-down pins or clips at the bottom of the window first if present.
- Remove the headrail using the standard push-back, tilt-down, pull-forward technique described above.
- The bottom rail lifts off once the headrail is removed, as it is only held in place by the fabric connecting it to the headrail.
- Handle the fabric carefully – do not fold or bunch the pleats. Lay the full blind flat immediately after removal.
How to Remove Motorized Honeycomb Blinds
- Use the remote, wall switch, or app to raise the blind to its fully open position.
- Disconnect the power cable or remove the battery wand before touching the headrail.
- Locate the brackets and release using the push-back and tilt method.
- The motor unit adds weight to one end of the headrail – have a second person support that end during removal to avoid bending the headrail.
Do not attempt to manually raise a motorized honeycomb blind by pulling the fabric. The motor resists manual operation and pulling the fabric risks tearing the cellular material.
How to Clean Honeycomb Blinds “Once your blinds are back up, here is the correct way to clean them without damaging the cellular structure.”
How to Remove Honeycomb Blinds From a Window – Inside vs Outside Mount
The bracket release technique is the same for both mount types. The difference is access.
Inside mount removal is straightforward – the brackets are directly accessible from the front of the window. Push back, tilt, pull forward.
Outside mount removal sometimes requires a step stool if the headrail is mounted above eye level. The brackets are fixed to the wall surface above the frame rather than inside the recess. Everything else is identical.
For outside mount blinds wider than 150 cm, always use two people – one at each end of the headrail – to avoid bending the headrail under its own weight during removal.
How to Remove Mounting Brackets After the Blind Is Down
Once the blind is off, the mounting brackets remain screwed to the window frame or wall. To remove them:
Locate the screws holding each bracket in place. Use a Phillips screwdriver or power drill to remove them. In Edmonton homes with older window frames, screws may be painted over or slightly corroded – use penetrating oil if they resist turning.
If you are removing the blind permanently, fill the screw holes with wood filler before painting. If you are reinstalling the same or a replacement blind, leave the brackets in place – they are already aligned correctly.
After Removal – How to Store Honeycomb Blinds Properly
If you are removing the blind temporarily for painting or cleaning:
- Store the blind flat, fully extended, in a clean dry location
- Never fold or compress the cellular fabric – the pleated cells crease permanently under sustained pressure
- Do not store leaning against a wall by the fabric – store vertically by the headrail only, or horizontal on a flat surface
- In Edmonton, avoid storing in an unheated garage during winter – extreme cold makes the cellular fabric brittle and more prone to creasing
When to Call a Professional Instead of Removing It Yourself
Most honeycomb blind removals are simple. Call a professional honeycomb contractor if:
- The blind is motorized and the motor is not responding to the remote before you attempt removal
- The brackets are damaged, cracked, or the headrail will not release after following the steps above
- The blind is very large (over 180 cm wide) and you do not have a second person available
- The blind is mounted on a high window above a staircase or vaulted ceiling
Forcing a stuck headrail risks bending the headrail permanently, which means the blind cannot be reinstalled correctly even with new brackets.
Are Honeycomb Blinds Worth It? “Not sure if honeycomb blinds are the right choice for your home? We answer that honestly – room by room
FAQs
How do I remove honeycomb blinds from a window?
Raise the blind fully. Locate the mounting brackets along the top of the headrail. Push the headrail back toward the window with your thumbs, tilt the back edge down, then pull the headrail forward and off the brackets. For cordless blinds, press the release tab on each bracket before pulling. Most removals take under two minutes and require no tools.
Do I need tools to remove honeycomb blinds?
Usually no. The push-back and tilt method releases most honeycomb blind headrails without tools. A flathead screwdriver is occasionally needed to depress a stiff spring clip on older bracket styles. You will need a Phillips screwdriver only if you are removing the mounting brackets themselves from the window frame.
Can I damage honeycomb blinds by removing them incorrectly?
Yes – two ways. Forcing the headrail sideways instead of straight back can crack or bend the bracket. And if the blind is not fully raised before removal, the fabric bunches at the bottom and the pleat cells can crease permanently. Always raise the blind to its maximum height before touching the brackets.
Best Window Blinds for Edmonton “Comparing honeycomb blinds against other options? See how they stack up against roller, zebra, and vertical blinds for Edmonton homes.
How do I remove honeycomb blinds without removing the brackets?
The headrail releases from the brackets without unscrewing them. Push the headrail back and tilt it off – the brackets stay fixed to the window frame. You only need to unscrew the brackets if you are removing the blind permanently or repositioning them.
Once the blind is down, see our guide to how to clean honeycomb blinds for the correct dry-vacuuming method that cleans the cells without introducing moisture.
If you are in Edmonton and your honeycomb blinds have reached the end of their lifespan – or you are looking at replacing them with custom cellular shades that are correctly measured and installed from the start – Ben Blinds manufactures and installs honeycomb blinds locally across Edmonton and all surrounding communities.
We offer free in-home consultations, bring single-cell, double-cell, and triple-cell samples to your home, and handle every measurement and installation ourselves. No guesswork, no subcontracting.
For custom-manufactured custom honeycomb blinds Edmonton installed by our own team, call (780) 916-7500 to book a free in-home consultation.
