Revive Your Suction Cups: Tips to Make Them Stick Like New

Suction cups are incredibly handy when they work as intended. Need extra shower storage? No problem! However, they often lose their grip over time, slipping down bathroom tiles or kitchen windows no matter how hard you try to secure them. Thankfully, a simple and effective solution exists. Here’s everything you need to know.

Using Petroleum Jelly to Restore Suction Cup Functionality

While this trick isn’t new, it’s gaining renewed attention thanks to TikTok, particularly from user @alroessler. In their video, they tackle a common sink issue: a sponge holder with suction cups that won’t adhere. After applying a small amount of petroleum jelly to the suction cups, the holder stays firmly in place, solving the problem effortlessly.

Alternative Techniques to Restore Suction Cup Functionality

In

an article for Hunker, Kirsten Nunez offers several additional methods to revive suction cups:

Ensure the surface is even and smooth, such as a mirror

Eliminate any lint or grease from both the surface and the suction cup

Soak the cup in warm water to increase its flexibility

Periodically press the suction cup to eliminate trapped air pockets

Ensure the ambient temperature remains above 40 degrees Fahrenheit

Meanwhile, as mentioned in a different article on Hunker (written by Kathy Adams), a small amount of cooking oil can serve as an alternative to petroleum jelly for securing suction cups. Here’s the method: “Apply a minimal amount of the chosen substance to the edge of the cup where it adheres to the surface,” she advises. “Using too much may reduce the cup’s suction ability.”