Buzz
Hanging items on your walls is a fantastic way to add style or extra storage to your home, but it comes with one drawback: wall holes. Depending on your skill with spackling and whether you're renting or owning, a few small holes may not be a big issue. However, if you're unsure about fixing them or worried about losing a security deposit, you may hesitate to drill or hammer into your walls.
That's where 'no-damage' adhesive products like Command hooks come in. These products are designed to adhere to your wall, support enough weight for practical use, and be easily removed without leaving any marks or holes, helping you avoid damage to your walls and security deposit. While these products generally work as promised (if the instructions are followed), they can cause damage to your walls if not used correctly. Rather than assuming everything will be fine and facing issues later when you remove them, keep the following points in mind when using 'no-damage' adhesives.
Understand your wall surfaces
No-damage adhesive products, like Command hooks, aren’t magical solutions. They're simply adhesives designed to stick to certain surfaces, but they won’t adhere to just anything. The first thing to do when planning to use these hooks is to carefully read the instructions and ensure you're applying them to a suitable surface. For example, these products generally won't work on unfinished wood, exposed brick (or any uneven surface), or fabrics and wallpapers.
The condition of your wall is also important. If the surface is dirty, deteriorating, or peeling, the adhesive may not stick properly. Additionally, if the wall has been freshly painted, it's best to wait until the paint has fully cured before applying an adhesive product. For oil-based paints, this takes about a week, while latex paints typically require a month before you can safely apply the hooks.
Clean the walls
When was the last time you cleaned your walls? At a minimum, you should clean them once a year, but many people overlook this—especially renters. However, cleaning the walls is crucial if you plan to use any adhesive. This is why it’s step one in the instructions for a Command hook. Dust and dirt can get between the adhesive and the wall, weakening the bond, and residue can cause the adhesive to fail.
This doesn’t mean you should grab any cleaning product from your shelf. Most cleaners leave behind a residue that can interfere with adhesion. The recommended method is to clean the wall with rubbing alcohol for the best results.
Ideal climate conditions
No-damage adhesives are designed for removal, making them more delicate than other adhesives. They are sensitive to the climate of the room. For instance, they won’t perform well in very cold or very hot environments. For most indoor Command products, the ideal temperature range is between 50° and 105° Fahrenheit.
Humidity is another factor to consider. If you're installing hooks or shelves in a bathroom, make sure to choose a product specifically designed for use in humid or damp areas. Without this, moisture may cause your items to slide off the wall. Fortunately, these bathroom-friendly products are fairly easy to find.
Proper removal process
The riskiest time for your security deposit or your damage-free wall is when you remove the no-damage adhesive. Be sure to follow the instructions provided with the product for proper removal. However, it's also important to adjust your expectations: you may encounter more difficulty removing the adhesive than you expect, and there may still be residue left behind (no damage doesn’t mean no residue).
Have a small toolkit on hand when it's time to remove everything from the walls:
A hair dryer can help loosen adhesive that’s stubborn and difficult to remove.
A putty knife can slide under the adhesive and gently pry it off the wall. Alternatively, dental floss can be used—just thread it behind the hook, gently saw downward until it comes loose.
A microfiber cloth with warm water is effective for removing residue. If it proves tough to clean, you can use the putty knife to scrape it off gently. For really stubborn residue, a little rubbing alcohol can help scrub it away.
