How do I hang things without drilling holes?

Adhesive fixings fail for predictable reasons: the surface was not clean, the weight was over the limit, or the wall was textured. Within their limits and on the right surface they are genuinely reliable, which matters in rented homes.

What you'll need

• Adhesive strips or hooks
• Rubbing alcohol and a cloth
• Spirit level (optional)
• Tension rod (optional)

Step by step

1. Check the surface first.Smooth, sealed, non-textured. Textured wallpaper, brick, unsealed plaster and gloss paint are all unreliable for adhesive fixings.
2. Check the paint is fully cured.Emulsion needs several weeks to cure fully, not just to dry. Adhesive on fresh paint pulls it off the wall.
3. Clean with rubbing alcohol, not household cleaner.Household sprays leave a residue that prevents adhesion. Isopropyl alcohol evaporates and leaves the surface clean.
4. Weigh the item and stay well under the stated limit.Limits are for ideal conditions. Using half the stated capacity is realistic, and the consequence of failure is a broken object.
5. Press firmly for the stated time, then wait before loading.Usually thirty seconds of firm pressure, then an hour before hanging anything. Skipping the wait is the most common cause of failure.
6. Use two fixings for anything wide.It spreads the load and stops the item tilting. Check level before the adhesive sets fully.
7. Use tension rods and over-door hooks where they suit.For curtains, shelving in an alcove, and anything on a door, these carry more weight than adhesive and leave no mark at all.
8. Remove strips by pulling the tab straight down, slowly.Not outwards. Pulling away from the wall takes the paint with it; pulling straight down stretches the adhesive and releases it cleanly.

Tips

• Adhesive fixings are strongly affected by temperature and humidity. Bathrooms, kitchens and unheated rooms are the places they most often fail.
• For anything heavy, valuable or above where people sit, use a proper fixing into the wall. Adhesive is for light items only.
• Keep a couple of spare strips. Removing and repositioning always uses more than expected.

Common mistakes

• Sticking to a freshly painted wall — Emulsion takes weeks to cure. Adhesive applied early pulls the paint off with it when removed, or fails entirely.
• Cleaning with household spray before sticking — It leaves a residue that prevents the adhesive bonding. Rubbing alcohol is what the instructions specify for a reason.
• Hanging the item immediately after fitting the strip — The adhesive needs about an hour to reach full strength. Loading it early is the most common failure.

Questions people ask