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New curtains refusing to open/close

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Just paid a small fortune to get new living room curtains made (my first pair ever, yay). Got home, counted out the spaces etc as you're supposed to - they're the type that hang on hooks - and got DH to hang them for me. Grumpily. Anyway they are on a track that is suppose to be opened and closed by a string at the side, but they are refusing to open and close. After I hung them I noticed a leaflet explaining how you're supposed to use the string in the curtain itself (up by the hook end) to figure out the width before you hang. I didn't do this :o and am reluctant to admit it to DH because of the grumpiness. Do you think this would have a bearing on them not opening and closing with the tracking system?? Or are they just too heavy for the track (which is plastic)? They are long - about 9ft - and lined. If anyone can offer advice I'd be really grateful.

Comments

  • bluebag
    bluebag Posts: 2,450 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Try spraying the track with a little furniture polish and rubbing it in. Makes it a bit slippy and may help.
  • ragz_2
    ragz_2 Posts: 3,254 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    If you didn't thread the string properly that's probably why, Wait til the OH goes out and then 'fix' it, saves admitting you are wrong ;)
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  • belfastgirl23
    belfastgirl23 Posts: 8,025 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    ragz wrote: »
    If you didn't thread the string properly that's probably why, Wait til the OH goes out and then 'fix' it, saves admitting you are wrong ;)

    It is very high and I am short otherwise I would have done it already. May have to bribe the BIL with something and get him round when DH is out! thanks!
  • pigpen
    pigpen Posts: 41,152 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    The string in the curtains won't make the slightest bit of difference.

    Are the curtains heavy? They may be too heavy for the pull mechanism

    Spray the pulley bits and sliding bits with furniture polish.. it does help!

    do you have to pull the cord to one side slightly to release a locking mechanism? You had to on mine.. like a roller blind.
    LB moment 10/06 Debt Free date 6/6/14
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  • purpleivy
    purpleivy Posts: 3,660 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I have a Fabsil spray which is great for curtains that don't pull and zips that don't run.
    [SIZE=-1]"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad"[/SIZE]
    Trying not to waste food!:j
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  • Another one for spraying the sliding bits with furniture polish.
  • rachbc
    rachbc Posts: 4,461 Forumite
    I suspect 3m long lined curtains will be too heavy - we have struggled and failed to find a corded track for our heavy lined curtains....the only ones recommended were metalnot plastic and are currently to £££ for us!
    People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
    Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • Nicki
    Nicki Posts: 8,166 Forumite
    Use a cheap silicone based polish though like Mr Sheen. The nicer ones don't work in the same way.
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