Blackout curtains

[puroticorico, MSN, CNA, RN]

Hi fellow night shift RNs! I purchased blackout curtains. Unfortunately, light came in through the sides so I used 3M Dura Lock Velcro on the sides, however, a lot of light is still creeping in through the top of the curtains. Any ideas on a quick fix, but that doesn't look too horrible? Maybe a roller curtain inside the window frame? Thanks!

[Hoozdo, ADN]

You have the right idea. I have a small blackout blind to fit inside the bedroom window frame, then a larger one that fits outside the window frame (to block out the light seeping from the sides and top), and then a curtain! It's darker than a Las Vegas hotel room and that's exactly what I want! NO LIGHT.....I am melting.......

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

I would just fold up a dark sheet or something at the top, but that's me!

[DoeRN]

Try a sleep mask too if you aren't already. When I worked nights I had sheers and black out curtains over them. I had a rod that was almost flush to the wall so not that much light would seep through.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

[JMEMNRN]

Tin foil taped on window works wonders....

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

Tin foil taped on window works wonders....

I'm sure it does, but I think many HOAs might have an issue with the look of it!

[tewdles, RN]

I get your problem.

I don't work night shift, but here in AK the sun shines all night long for a couple months of the year.

It is truly hard to sleep if the room is never dark.

We use blackout curtains and secure them on all edges to prevent those annoying sunbeams.

In this decidedly NOT FANCY OR FORMAL state we also make good use of tin foil over windows...as mentioned earlier, it rocks the dark!.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

This solution is easy and cheap!

Measure the window (not including the frame, just the window). Buy black upholstery fabric. I found mine in a fabric store with fleece on one side and vinyl on the other. Buy an extension rod that fits inside the window, the kind you twist to tighten. Tape the top of the fabric over the rod. It should fit tight enough so that light does not escape from any side. When you do not want it there, untwist the rod and roll up the fabric and hide it somewhere.

I know an MD who put a blow up bed inside his walk-in closet.

[MJB2010]

Tin foil works best. My neighbors thought I was cooking meth, but I explained I work nights and they were all like OHHHHHHH! OK! I imagine with the tin foil, and the way I look half asleep in jammies sauntering out to the mailbox, paired with all the DO NOT KNOCK OR ELSE signs on my door, drugs seem like a logical conclusion.

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

There is cling-on dark window tinting in the auto section of Wal-Mart. Just cut to size and place on the window. It looks better from outside the house than aluminum foil on the window. If you move to day shift, just peel it off the window. It has worked for me for the last 13 yrs.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

Wasn't pretty, but for years of nightshift I'd hang long bathtowels down the sides, stuffed into the top rod to secure them while they hung; they'd fill the gap made by the curtain rod sticking out. I put some double-stick tape further down, to stick the curtains to the wall itself, where the towel would end.

I even went so far as to put a rolled-up towel along the bottom of my bedroom door, to block the light from the hall.

[mysonsmama]

DH works nights. We got this styrofoam insulation stuff with thin foil on one side. Cut it to fit inside the window and taped the sides with ducttape so little pieces wouldn't fall off. It works great and our room is much cooler (AZ) in the summer. Our room only has windows in the backyard though so there isn't an issue of what our HOA thinks about it. Before that we just used black sheets. They have now moved to my toddlers room