blackout curtains advice

Nurses New Nurse

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Hi everyone. Ive just started orientation for my new job and soon ill start my night shifts. I know I want blackout curtains but does anyone know anything about the best types and such? Im willing to spend money on it as long as their really good.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.:nuke:

Thanks!

Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.
+1. I made mine though I know not everyone can. Know someone who is handy like that? I tried several brands of traditional blackout curtains and was unhappy with them all.

I bought this big roll of blackout material, and a sewing machine, and I don't even know where to start. My wife said she'd sew it on the back of our bedroom curtains for me, but hasn't done it yet (this is like going on 3 years now). At this point we're getting ready to move so I guess that stuff will have to wait until after we move now (for redecorating).

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma.

I took cardboard and stapled in to a wooden frame that just fits inside the window. A little weather stripping makes it seal, and no light at all gets through. A fan on, and a towel under the door; and I can sleep all day.

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

I have some white ones I got at Bed Bath & Beyond. Now only if I had the time to put up some pretty curtains over them!

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Specializes in NICU.

well thanks for all the suggestions. I found some kinda tarp like white ones at linnens and things. Theyre being shipped this week. if that doesnt work ill probably head out to home depot or try and construct something myself.

thanks everyone!

:rcgtku:

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Specializes in Rural Health.

Bought some at Lowes - $19.99 each and I just needed 2.

I put them on the inside of the window, with a tension rod & then I have my nice curtains on the outside. My nice curtains are very think, velvet type curtains. They block out whatever light doesn't get blocked out with the room darkening curtains which is actually very little. On my days off - I pull them all back and tie them with a tassle type thing. That way I get light in my room on my days off, dark on my days I work.

I sleep SO MUCH better nowt hat I have the curtain thing under control.

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Hi I just found about this product that is great - it is 7 peices of blackout cloth material and it really works! it can totally dim the place if you have to go for seminars and stuff and works well with existing curtains that never totally cover the edges too.

http://blackout-curtain-togo.com/

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.
Hi everyone. Ive just started orientation for my new job and soon ill start my night shifts. I know I want blackout curtains but does anyone know anything about the best types and such? Im willing to spend money on it as long as their really good.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.:nuke:

Thanks!

I used black construction paper, then I placed foil over the construction paper, so it wouldn't have

that cheap look from outside the window.

Turn the fan on high. Works great!

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I bought blackout curtains at walmart.com for $20. They work great and they ship to a store for free if there is one on your area. I was a lot easier than paper and foil and duct tape!

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Specializes in NICU Level III.

Well I got my pretty curtains over my blackout curtains now but my BO curtains are such a pain to draw back for when I'm off. I really like the cardboard box idea..but my window for my bedroom is HUUUUGE so ..and then I'd have this box thing sitting around when I'm off... ahh well, I guess I'll just stick to a dark room.

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I've been working nights for 8 of the last 10 years and think I've tried just about everything. The best solution was a bedroom in the basement! :yeah:

I never did find blackout curtains that worked for me. Currently I'm using heavy curtains that block out more light than any of the blackout curtains I've tried. Some light filters in but it's just enough that I don't need a light on to move around the room.

I had the most success using darkening blinds (inside the window frame) in conjunction with heavy curtains (outside the window frame). With this method, I didn't get light through any openings between the curtain and the walls or seems so I had total darkness. It didn't look bad, was affordable without a lot of effort (or skill) on my part and it was easy to allow light in the room if I wanted. I now have cats who love being in the windows so blinds aren't as practical for me.

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You can purchase blackout curtain material at Joanne's or any place where they sell material. When I worked night shift I bought blackout material and just tacked it around my window every morning and it kept out all the light. Not pretty, but there were no "leaks" of light.

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