How To Use Command Strips
Whether hanging a wreath, or putting up stockings on the mantle, we have top tips on how to use Command Strips. These handy adhesive hooks are the easiest way to hang anything from picture frames to dog leashes and keys. Command Strips are great for temporarily adhering something to a surface without damaging your wall.
The three biggest mistakes using Command Strips are removing the Command Strip incorrectly, not waiting for the adhesive to "cure" prior to hanging, and choosing a strip that is too small for the item you want to hang. We are here to help you navigate through these sticky situations and show you how to use Command Strips.
Top tips on how to use Command Strips:
- Choose Command Strips with the size and features you need. There are Command Strips for hanging holiday lights, jewelry, picture frames, and even a soap dish.
- Find the right surface. Command Strips will work on glass, painted/stained/varnished wood, metal, drywall or tile.
- Having a rough time? Command Strips can't stick to bumpy surfaces like textured walls, concrete and exposed brick.
- Heat is an enemy of the Command Strip. Heat, like direct sunlight on a glass window, makes the Command Strip lose its adhesive properties.
- Only use Command Strips on dry items. Avoid using the strips in humid environments like the shower, unless using specialty water-resistant hooks.
- Weight check! Each Command Hook is designed for a different weight capacity. Hanging a bathrobe on a hook designed for keys will lead to a heap of terrycloth on the floor.
- Clean first. Dab rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth then wipe away dust and grime from the surface you plan to adhere to. Once your surface is clean, it's time to use the Command Strip.
- Time for something new? When removing Command Strips, slowly pull down, not out. The adhesive in the Command Strip releases when the tab at the bottom of the strip is pulled down, toward the floor. When the bottom tab is pulled out toward the room, the adhesive tends to grab and pull what it is connected to (usually the paint on your wall). Pull down, not out.
Now that you have our top tips on Command Strips, we will walk through how to use them. In this example, we will explain how to hang a dog leash on the wall using a Command Hook.
- Identify the surface you plan to use. Clean the wall surface with a dab of rubbing alcohol to clear away dust and grime.
- Remove Command Strips from their packaging. Identify which side is marked "wall side" and which is marked with the red Command brand logo. Separate the number of strips that you need from the others in the package.
- Remove the tape from the back of the Command Strip that has the Command brand logo on it. Do not remove the tape from the side marked "wall side". Press the sticky side of the strip on the hook.
- Now that you have the Command Strip attached to your item, it's time to affix it to the wall. Remove the tape from the side of the strip marked "wall side" in black. Push the hook on to the wall, compressing it for 30 seconds.
- Wait one hour before hanging the dog leash on your Command Hook. This time allows for the adhesive to set.
If you want to use Command strips the right way, stick to our advice above. No sticky situations here!