Sun Got You Up? Here’s How to Black Out Windows for Sleeping

Are your sweet dreams being sabotaged by unwanted sun streams? The light outside your window can cause your circadian rhythm to lose its groove. When regular shades and curtains aren't cutting it, you can block sunshine and light from cars, streetlights, and neighbors with a few simple tricks. Read on to find out how to black out your windows for a good night's—or day's—sleep.

Why Should I Black Out My Windows? 

Blacking out your windows can offer you more benefits than meets the eye. If you’re ready to take the plunge on this project, you can reap some great benefits.

• Darker windows may help you get more sleep, especially if you like to sleep in on the weekends or work night shifts and need to sleep during the day.  

• You’ll have more privacy, especially at night when it’s easier to see in people’s windows.

• Some window blackout options can keep your home cooler in the summer, decreasing the amount you need to run your HVAC system (and cutting down on your electric bill).

• Blacking out your windows can increase your ROI if you sell your home.

How to Black Out Your Windows 

Ready to get better sleep and put a stop to that blinding morning light? Here are seven things you can do to get started. 

Hang Blackout Curtains or Liners

Blackout curtains can be ideal if you're looking for a temporary solution for blocking out light. There are two ways to approach blackout curtains: You can buy full blackout blinds made from a polyester-cotton combination or add blackout liners to your current curtains. Blackout curtains and liners can also help soundproof your house by reducing outside noise. Another bonus—they help insulate rooms, which saves money and controls temperature.

Install Blackout Shades or Blinds

If you don't want to hang heavy curtains, blackout shades and blinds are a good alternative. So, what's the scoop on blackout curtains versus blinds? Some people aren't fans of heavy blackout curtains because they can make a room look smaller, collect dust, and get pulled down by pets. Blackout window blinds offer a neater look for blocking out light. The tight weave used for this design blocks both artificial light and UV rays nicely.

Install a Tinted Film

Another effective way to block out light without hanging curtains is to install tinted window film. Treating your windows by tinting them allows you to keep the area around your window looking clear and fresh. Window film has a thin profile that seamlessly clings to window panes. The tinted window offers privacy and protects against:

• UV rays

• Artificial light

• Extreme temperatures

While you can buy tinted window film yourself, you may want to hire a local window tinter to apply it if you’re not confident that you can get all the bubbles out.

Cover Your Window With Cardboard

Have an old cardboard box hanging around the house? That's all you need for this DIY blackout window project. Using sheets of corrugated board or cardboard to cover your windows can greatly reduce light pollution. Simply cut sheets to fit your panes. Next, use some thick painter's tape to fix the cardboard to your windows.

Cover Your Window With Aluminum Foil

This is probably the least expensive and easiest way to black out your windows. Simply cut foil squares to the sizes of your window panes before securing them in place with painter's tape. Be gentle as you work with the foil; it’s easy to accidentally poke tiny holes in it without even noticing until the light comes shining through. 

Cover Your Window With Black Fabric

If you're a crafter, you may have some extra black fabric hanging around your house. Simply cut fabric squares to the size of your windows before applying painter's tape. You can even add black fabric over aluminum foil for some extra coverage.

Build an Awning

If light seeping into your room is a major problem, consider an attractive architectural solution. Building an awning to keep light out of your room is a long-term solution to darken a room, especially if you aren’t keen on hiding your window. An awning can also protect your window from rain damage. 

Awnings can be especially helpful for reducing sunlight in your bedroom in the morning if your room faces the direction of the rising sun. There are many ways to add an awning. In some cases, a simple canvas awning that's installed over your window may be enough. You can also consider having a contractor design a custom awning with a "little roof" that matches the style of your home.

Taking Care of Blacked-Out Windows

Depending on the method you choose, there are several ways to make sure your blacked-out windows stay shipshape. 

Tinted Windows

If you apply window film, taking care of your windows is easy. You can use a commercial window cleaner or a mixture of dish soap and water to clean them roughly once per month. Keep an eye out for any bubbling or creasing to catch any issues before they become big problems. 

Don’t clean your tinted windows before 30 days have passed from the time you applied the film. Otherwise, you risk messing up the film and having to reapply it. 

Curtains, Shades, and Blinds

If you have blackout curtains, check the tags for washing recommendations. It’s a safe bet to take them to a dry cleaner to get them professionally cleaned, but you can often find home washing instructions on your tag. If you don’t see any instructions, it’s safer to just spot-clean them or reach out to a pro for advice (just talking to a professional is free, after all).

Vacuum or dust your curtains and take them down to shake them out regularly, about once per month. Spot-clean or wash your curtains once per year. 

You’ll want to deep-clean shades and blinds every one to two months, depending on how quickly dust builds up in your home. Use a brush attachment on your vacuum to clear them of dust and debris. For shades and blinds that aren’t wooden, you should also clean them with a mixture of warm water and dish soap after vacuuming. 

Awnings

For deep cleanings on an awning, which are recommended every two years, awnings need to be brushed off with a broom to start. Then, use a garden hose to wet them before scrubbing them with a cleaning solution of mild soap and water. Let the soap mixture soak in for a few minutes, then rinse the awning thoroughly.

For non-deep cleanings, you can simply brush off dirt and debris and hose the awning down once per month.

Kassidy Barber contributed to this piece.