How do you hang up towels, dish rags or pot holders? How about photos on the wall? If you’re like me, it hurts to even think of making holes in that beautiful wood.
Aboard Que Tal, we used a variety of solutions. Lots of screw-in cup hooks, left by the previous owner — plus a few we added in “hidden” spots. Industrial strength Velcro for the laptop and things on the nav station, which was very hard to remove (I was afraid it was going to peel the Formica off the wood under it). For photos, we used tape, which fell off in hot weather, or poster putty which also would slowly soften and release the pictures in hot weather.
Enter Command Strip products. These weren’t available — or at least I wasn’t aware of them — when we moved aboard Que Tal and I never saw them in Mexico. But now that I’ve discovered them, I’ve come to the conclusion that they were just made for boats!
Basically, there are four great things about Command Strip products:
- They leave no mark, hole, residue or anything else when you remove them.
- Installation is dead simple.
- They have a lot of holding power compared to many other options.
- There’s one designed for almost every application you can think of.
And they’re not too expensive, either. You can buy them at almost any big box store or hardware.
Ideas for using them on the boat, galley and otherwise:
Hooks are perfect for hanging almost everything — towels, hot pads, dish rags, an apron, a bag of clothes pins, keys, grocery bags, shower bag . . . whatever. And since there’s no damage to beautiful woodwork, you can put them wherever it’s convenient.
Another idea is to turn them horizontally and run a bungee cord between two for a paper towel holder (see more on this idea).
Depending on the size — they go from mini to large — hooks will hold up to about 5 pounds.
Command Picture Strips will handle almost everything else. Believe it or not, some can support as much as 20 pounds!
They are great for pictures, in frames or plastic sleeves (we got some of the clear plastic “picture holders” designed to go on a refrigerator with a magnet and used them on the walls so that the photos would be protected). You could use them to mount a spice rack in the galley . . . or attach a divider in a locker.
They remind me of very strong Velcro — and they’re great for keeping electronics in place, too. Laptops, chargers and other things that you want to keep in place (no guarantees in particularly rough seas — all boats differ, so use your own judgment as to what is sufficient).
In the cockpit, we used Velcro to keep the autopilot control in one place, and also on our SSB/ham/stereo speakers (they weren’t built in). It was a real pain to remove the Velcro when it came time . . . these would have held better than the Velcro and been easier to remove — a definite win/win.
One quick note on using the picture strips — the first ones I used, I aligned with the outside edge of a picture frame. As you can see in the picture, it’s definitely visible from the side. Now, the nice thing is that I can easily remove the strip and place it further from the edge . . . but think about this as you’re hanging items!
As I began researching all the Command Strip varieties, one that really appealed to me for the galley are the spring clip ones.
Put them on the wall to hold lists, recipes, meal plans and more. They’d also be handy at the nav station or helm for keeping info that you want instantly at hand. And one would be perfect for a laminated sheet with emergency info and radio frequencies right next to the radio.
There are also cord organizers — great for running wiring anywhere, either through lockers or in an exposed location.
We use lots of all these types on Barefoot Gal!
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Sharon Thompson Dunsworth on Facebook says
I just discovered these to use for Christmas decorations as I didn’t want anything permanent. I’m glad to hear they come off easily..was going on faith that they would. Thanks for all the great ideas.
tami says
We use ’em in the cockpit to hang sheets and halyards
MaryJo says
Do they really hold on wood? I thought it would have to be on plastic or glass. If they’ll hold on wood I can use them to hang Christmas decorations in the saloon. Yay!!!
Carolyn Shearlock says
MaryJo — I’ve used them on varnished wood — teak, oak and maple that I know of — and they’ve worked perfectly. I’ve also used them on cheap laminates with no problem. Painted wood, walls and bathroom tile have all been fine. I’mgoing to guess that rough wood would NOT work, however.
MaryJo Boyle says
They really do work on wood. I’ve got them all over the boat now! =0)
Donna Tourt Cantwell on Facebook says
We use them everywhere!
LaMarr Harding says
My wife hates them, they pulled the paint off the walls in the rest home and hospital rooms she’s stayed in. I put hot pad holders on the wall next to the stove and they got pulled off. There was a hole in those hooks that I ended up putting a screw in.
Carolyn Shearlock says
If paint or varnish is not in good condition, yes, they can pull it up . . . but then, even Scotch tape will pull peeling paint off.
Sharon Thompson Dunsworth says
This is what I am using on our boat. Haven´t found anything yet that it can´t be used for. Going to try using hooks for hanging curtains when I figure out what size I will need. Thanks for sharing.
Linda L Finney-Blazsek says
We did this in our sailboat, the command strips!
David Holbourn says
They are excellent , I have put hooks up for oilies and they are great, plus use their version of velcro ( two pads of hooks) to hold displays on the wall.
Ted Oliverio says
Looks cool, but I don´t get how it´s different in application from velcro. I´m not saying one is better than the other, only that, mechanically, they appear to be “the same product.”
Use too much velcro: it´s hard to get your laptop off the counter. Same thing if you use too much command strips.
Use too little command strips: your [whatever] falls out of place during bumpy water or just over time. Same thing if you use too little velcro.
Am I missing some key point, here?
(Again, I´m sure command strips are a fine product — I just happen to be familiar with Velcro and how much is enough and how much is too much 🙂 )
Thanks!
Connie Downs says
The difference is that when you try to take the Velcro strips off later, they tend to destroy the surface. The Command Strips are designed so that when you go to remove them, you don’t just peel off, you s-t-r-e-t-c-h the material and it comes off without damaging the surface. Brilliant!! I did not get the concept originally, and peeled some paint off my classroom wall the first time, thinking, “Wait a minute! This wasn’t supposed to ruin my wall!” Then, I actually read the instructions on the package, and have never gone back.
Jim Allen says
Been using them for years, both on the boat and at home
Darlene Burnett Price says
Yep. No way I’d put a hole in the teak!
Leslie Womack says
Spread the word! The more popular they are, the more available they become! I stock up for the boat whenever I am back in the US.
My experience with using these in humid conditions has led me to use the “bathroom” version of the strips exclusively on our boat. A couple of art objects crashing to the floor in the night convinced me! These particular Command strips are pale blue with water droplets printed on the pull end.
Thanks for promoting one of my favorite boat items!
Anna Klosterman says
So god the bathroom versions hold up to heat and humidity? I have tried these on our boat and the Texas weather didn’t keep them holding
Deborah Wozniak Ison says
Was just recommending this very product to a boat friend this weekend! They come in a variety of finishes to match your existing hardware.
Gloria Rooney says
I have never seen the clip ones — these would be great and I will look for them. I use the other products both at our townhome on the water and on the boat (also use velcro too).
Thanks for the clip idea!
David Holbourn says
Been using and recommending them for yrs
Sue says
We too have been using them for years. We use them in the head for shampoo caddies nad for shower curtain hanging. Love them. Never pulled the paint off either…a bonus on a steel boat.
Debbie Richey says
I love these also. The one thing I have learned is to make sure to clean the area with rubbing alcohol like the directions say. I put up some coat hooks to hang our life jackets from, left out the alcohol step and within a month they had fallen down. I put some cork up on our v-berth walls and used the picture hanging strips to attach it to the fiberglass. Worked wonderfully.
Cheri Hanes says
How about using that Velcro on cloth items, like wall pockets? Would that work? How could they be attached to fabric?
Carolyn Shearlock says
You can use the sticky-back Velcro on the side going to the wall, and the sew-on type on the fabric. One side hooks and the other loops.
Cheri Hanes says
Perfect!
Debbie ones says
I use them everywhere, from pictures to loaded shower bags! The only problem is items swing when underway. I solved this on smaller items by pushing a small ball of Butyl tape under the corners. It is easily removed and everything stays put.
Roxana says
Be careful on thin veneer. I had some come off when I removed the strip.
Mell says
I had the problem on a boat we recently bought. Some of command strips were old and the glue part would just broke instead of stretching and coming off. I googled it and they recommended using dental floss or fishing line to cut behind the hook, then rolling off any residual glue. It worked perfectly!
Lauralee says
Do these work in particularly hot hot hot climates? I really want to use them but fear the heat will melt them loose. We sail in Baja where it tends to get exceptionally warm.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I know well how hot it gets in Baja — cruised there six years full time (yes, including the summer). Didn’t use these then (weren’t available) but have now in southern FL over the summer. The ones inside were fine — had a couple on windows that dried out and “unstuck.” So it seems to be that temp alone is fine, but right in the window with harsh summer sun (it was holding silver film to the window so lots of extra heat and reflected light) was bad.
Cathy Lunn says
any idea how to remove them if the stretch thing come off? We bought our boat last year and there are 4 or5 really old ones. i saw them and thought hey i can stretch these and they’ll pull off..not so much!
Carolyn Shearlock says
I’ve had that happen and I was able to kind of reach under most of them with a pair of tweezers and grab a tiny bit and pull out. On the others, I had to pull hard and it finally stretched out and I could grab it.
barbara says
Carolyn you are so determined and resourceful, always honing to make things work better. I loved your details on the fridge thermometer. Even tho I am a landlubber I use many of your hints. You are a doll!
Carolyn Shearlock says
Thanks!
Richard Armentrout says
With wood screws, what else?
The Boat Galley says
The Command Strips won’t leave a mark or hole if you switch things around in the future . . .
Joshua Hockman says
Try 3M command hooks and tapes. They’re rock solid, and leave no marks.
Joshua Hockman says
Oh, HA! I should have read the article….
The Boat Galley says
😉
Lisa Carol Kelly says
I would think that humidity on boat would make 3m commands come unstuck.
Carolyn Shearlock says
I’m in the Florida Keys and Bahamas — really humid — and mine haven’t come off as long as I clean the surface well (and make sure it’s dry) before attaching the strip and wait the prescribed length of time before mounting anything on it, and also don’t exceed the recommended weight. The times I’ve had a problem have been due to operator error and once I re-did things correctly, no problems. Admittedly, I haven’t tried to put up anything real heavy.
David Lake says
3m
Christine Dumaine Springfield says
I am having mixed results with the command strips. The hook on the door to the head is working perfectly. The picture frame with the strips has “walked” it’s way down the wall and now the base of the picture sits on a rail. It hasn’t come unstuck, just got a lot lower.
Rox Adams says
Can pull off a thin veneer upon removal. Happened to me.
William Kelly says
I use these hooks on my boat. They work great. Use for my towels, sweaters, keys and flashlights!
Dawn Teresa says
I love 3M command strips (a Minnesota company – where I’m from) and have been using them for years. They work wonders on our boat. I also love their locking strips like Velcro, best invention yet!
Yvonne McTeer says
What a great idea … Are they available in Canada????
William Kelly says
I’m in Canada, yes they are Canadian Tire, Home Depot and even Walmart.
Yvonne McTeer says
William Kelly thanks .. I will pick up some and take to the boat this winter
Chantal Gellermann says
Great tip! Thanks
Claire says
Just one more suggestion for those who move from a motor yacht to a land yacht (45’.) I have a reusable grocery bag full of 3M products. I’ve used them for years on both yachts, and I purchase more as needed. I’m still using The Boat Galley for suggestions on our motor coach. Water and land act the same when traveling big. Water is a bit less forgiving.
Andrea says
Will these stick on the textured marine vinyl? I want to hang curtains, but don’t want to put holes in the hull and Command strips have curtain rod holders…
Carolyn Shearlock says
If it’s sufficiently flat, it will. If the texture is really spiky, no. And it depends on the weight of what you put on it.