When a GroAnywhere Blind has been stored away the suction cups can become flattened and won’t stick effectively to the window (this sometimes happens with brand new Blinds that have been flattened in transit). The suction cups stick better when the surface to which they are stuck (and the suction cups themselves) are clean and free from dirt. In addition, changes in temperature or humidity may gradually make cups lose suction. In order to achieve the best suction:
1. Clean the window you are applying the suction cups to with soap and water (they won’t adhere well to a dirty surface). De-grease the glass with rubbing alcohol if necessary (bathroom/window cleaners usually leave a residue). Wipe clean with a soft lint-free cloth.
2. If necessary, wash the suction cups with warm, soapy water, rinse them off again and pat them dry with a lint-free cloth. (Dirty suction cups will not stick as well). Make sure both the inside of the suction cups and your window are clean and dry before application.
3. To enhance suction and help keep the seal tight, dampen your fingertip with water and lightly moisten the inner rim of the suction cup. Moistening helps create a tighter seal. The key is to not get too much moisture… just barely enough to coat the surface.
4. Press the centre of each suction cup all the way down firmly to the glass and keep firm pressure for about 15 seconds, then gently release the pressure until all the air bubbles inside are released and a vacuum is created to firmly seal the cups to the surface. (What you are trying to do, is to push all of the trapped air between the suction cup and window out from behind the suction cup). Try not to let the suction cups slide, if they slide easily you might have used too much moisture.
5. The closer the suction cups and the window are in temperature, and the closer this is to ‘room’ temperature, the better results you will have.
6. The suction cups may need to be ‘burped’ periodically by pressing down on them to remove any air that may have seeped in.
If a suction cup still won’t stick:
1. Try rolling it between your fingers to reshape it.
2. To return some elasticity to a suction cup, or if it has become flattened or deformed, place it carefully in hot water for 2-3 minutes (when children are not around). This will help ‘reset’ the plastic and make it more flexible, allowing it to return to its normal shape.