The Best Command Strips

Buying Guide

Command strips are durable adhesive strips that are a popular choice for hanging items without worrying about drilling holes or leaving permanent damage on the surface. Depending on the type you buy, you could use them alone or with the hooks and other accessories that Command offers. Along with being very easy to use, these strips are unique for the pull tab which makes them easy to remove later.

There are different types of Command strips that not only look slightly different and come in different sizes, but are also designed for certain purposes. So, it’s crucial to know what you plan to use the strips for so that you buy the appropriate kind.

Often used with Command hooks, clips and caddies, the basic strips come in both indoor and outdoor varieties. The outdoor strips feature a special adhesive that resists damage from the sun and water and can also handle more extreme temperatures. Typically available in mini to large sizes, these strips are usually white, but the pull tab for some types is clear. There’s an adhesive on both sides, and they’re designed for one-time use. 

Command also makes picture hanging strips that are specially textured, lock together in pairs and can handle the heavier weights typical with picture frames. Designed for one-time use, they come in black and white colors and have an adhesive on one side and a special texture on the other. You can get them in small to extra-large sizes with different frame sizes and weights specified. The largest strips can handle weights of up to 20 pounds.

Lastly, you’ll find adjustable strips that are designed to hang up posters and documents. These are convenient since they allow you to reposition your item up to three times over the initial 20-minute period. They have limited uses, however, since the weight limit is one pound with these strips.

• Command strips will stick to common smooth surfaces such as tile, metal, painted walls and laminates. However, they won’t work on brick, wallpaper, fabric or textured walls. They also won’t stick to a wet or humid surface. Check the temperature range your particular strips can handle as well to avoid adhesion issues.
• Before applying a Command strip, make sure the surface is dry and consider using rubbing alcohol on the area. If you’ve recently painted the surface, Command also says to wait at least a week before you stick a Command strip there.
• When applying the Command strip, make sure you press down on the strip firmly for the time specified on the packaging. Your product may also suggest a wait time before you attach anything to the other side of the strip.
• Command strips come in several quantities, and some products come in multipacks where you can get a combination of sizes for convenience.
• Make sure you get enough strips. While a single strip is all you need to hang a Command hook, the picture hanging strips would need to be paired up on each side of the frame.
• If you’re buying Command strips to use with a hook or another Command product, make sure you buy the size specified for your product, such as small strips for a small hook. When using them alone, consider the weight and size of the item you’re hanging and check the strips’ specifications. For example, if you need to hang an 18-inch by 18-inch picture that weighs 11 pounds, you’d need medium-sized picture hanging strips. 
• To avoid safety issues and damage to your item, don’t use Command strips to hang items over places where people will sit, such as a bed, and don’t use basic Command strips to hang heavy items like picture frames. 
• When you’re ready to remove the Command strip, you’ll want to pull the tab down slowly so that the strip will stretch and come off the surface without damage. If the strip ends up breaking before fully coming off, you could try using dental floss and a hair dryer to try to get the adhesive to become soft enough to remove by hand more easily.