How to Remove Command Strips and Hooks

Command strips and hooks are incredibly useful adhesives that allow you to hang pictures, shelves, and other objects on your walls without nails or tacks. While command strips make decorating easy, they can be a pain to remove. When it’s time to take down what you’ve hung up, getting those strips and hooks off cleanly can take some work. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to remove command strips and hooks easily and minimize wall damage.

What Are Command Strips and Hooks?

Command strips and hooks are branded adhesive products made by 3M designed to hang items on your walls without tools or hardware. The strips and hooks stick to your wall using a strong, specialized adhesive that leaves no residue or damage when removed properly.

There are several types of command strips and hooks:

Command picture hanging strips: These thin foam strips have adhesive on the back so you can stick them to the wall. You then press the frame or object against the strip to mount it. They can hold up to 16 pounds.
Command picture hanging hooks: These use the same adhesive tech but are molded plastic hooks you stick to the wall. Hang your picture’s wire over the hook. They hold up to 7.5 pounds.
Command utility hooks: These versatile hooks allow you to hang lighter items like keys, headphones, towels, etc around the house.
Command poster strips: These use Velcro-like fasteners to hang posters and large items on the wall.

No matter the type, command products use a special adhesive that sticks strongly when pressed to the wall but can be removed later without taking the paint or drywall with it. This makes decorating rented apartments or dorms much easier.

How Do I Remove Command Strips?

Removing command strips and hooks takes a bit of technique but it’s quite doable if you follow these steps:

Gather Your Materials

You’ll need a few items:

A blow dryer or heat gun
Dental floss or sturdy fishing line
Baking soda (optional)
Olive oil, coconut oil, or Goo Gone (optional)

The heat and strong line do most of the work but the oils help with sticky residue. Lay down an old towel to catch any drips.

Warm the Adhesive

Turn your blow dryer to the highest heat setting and aim it at the strip/hook for 30-60 seconds. The heat softens the adhesive so the strip releases from the wall. Move the dryer constantly so you don’t burn one spot.

You can also use a heat gun on low. Heat guns get dangerously hot though, so keep kids and pets away and don’t overdo it.

If you don’t have a heat tool, warm water may work. Soak a towel in hot water, wring it out, and lay it over the adhesive strip for 30 seconds. The moisture and heat help relax the glue.

Insert Dental Floss Behind It

Once the adhesive is warm, quickly slide sturdy dental floss or fishing line behind one end of the strip. Work it slowly along behind the entire strip, keeping it tight to the wall.

The floss will cut through the adhesive as you slide it. Move slowly so you don’t snap the floss. If you’re removing a command hook, slide the floss behind the base, not the hook itself.

Remove at a 45 Degree Angle

With the floss in place behind, gently pull the strip/hook away from the wall at a 45 degree angle. Pulling straight off rarely works since it just stretches the adhesive.

The strip should pop off relatively easily once the adhesive releases. Support it from behind with your other hand so it doesn’t flap around.

Go slowly on bigger hooks – yanking hard may damage the wall. For strips, peel the ends off first, then work into the middle.

Use Oil for Residue

Sometimes command products leave a gummy, sticky film behind after removal. This residue can be stubborn to remove.

Try rubbing any leftover adhesive with a drop of coconut or olive oil. Let it soak for a minute, then gently rub it away with your fingers or a soft cloth. The oil dissolves the glue.

For really stubborn spots, use Goo Gone. Apply a small amount, let it soak in for 2-3 minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. It’ll get rid of even the peskiest residue.

Clean and Polish the Area

Once everything is removed, wash the spot with mild soap and water to eliminate any oily residue left behind.

For an extra clean surface, use a dab of toothpaste or baking soda as a gentle abrasive. Gently rub it over the area in a circular motion with your fingers or a damp cloth, then wipe away.

This polishes off any last traces of adhesive for a smooth finish. The wall may have a light stain where the strip was, but it will fade in 1-2 weeks. You can touch up paint if needed.

And that’s it! With this technique, removing command strips doesn’t need to be a struggle or leave a mess behind. Just be slow and steady as you work the adhesive free from the wall.

Tips for Easier Removal of Command Strips

Removing command strips and hooks gets much simpler if you set them up properly in the first place. Here are some handy tips:

Use the right strips for the surface – Command makes strips specifically for brick, concrete, wood, metal and other tricky surfaces. Pick the right one for your wall material.
Thoroughly clean the wall – Wipe down the area with alcohol first to remove dirt and oils. This helps the adhesive stick better so it won’t leave as much behind.
Press firmly when applying – Really push when sticking strips on the wall, especially along the edges. Get out any air bubbles. Good initial contact means less residue later.
Pull down gently – When removing strips, always pull down and out, never across. And go slowly! Yanking hard just risks damaging the wall.
Use floss on a hook – Trying to slide floss behind a large command hook can bend the hook. Instead, tie floss around the base then pull down to cut through the adhesive.
Avoid paint damage – Pulling too hard can rip paint off with the strip. Ease up if you see paint coming loose rather than keep pulling.

Planning ahead makes removal much cleaner! But even if you didn’t follow these steps originally, you can still likely get the strips off without issue using this removal process.

How to Remove Command Strip Residue

Even when carefully removed, command strips and hooks often leave a gummy, sticky residue behind on the wall. This adhesive is designed to cling tenaciously but can be removed with the right techniques. Here are some simple methods for getting rid of leftover command strip glue:

Heat – Warm the adhesive up again with a hairdryer or hot water. This reactivates it so you can gently rub it off.

Dental floss – Use floss to saw off any remaining sticky areas. The pressure and friction help scrape it away.

Oils – Dab coconut, olive or baby oil onto the adhesive, let soak, then wipe away. The oil dissolves the glue.

Baking soda – Make a paste of baking soda and water. Lightly spread over the residue and let sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing off.

Goo Gone – This citrus-scented cleaner breaks down adhesives. Apply it to the wall, wait 2-3 minutes, then wipe clean.

White vinegar – Vinegar dissolves glue too. Spray it on and let it soak for a few minutes before gently scrubbing and rinsing.

Toothpaste – Use non-gel toothpaste as a very mild abrasive. Gently rub it over the sticky spots in circles using a damp cloth. Then wipe clean.

Alcohol – A final wipe down with isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol removes any last oily residues. This also sterilizes the area.

With persistence and these cleaning methods, you can remove even the most stubborn command strip adhesive remnants from your walls and keep them looking good as new.

Why Are Command Strips So Hard to Remove?

Command strips feel so solidly stuck to the wall that getting them off in one piece can be tricky. Here’s why they adhere so tenaciously:

Specialized adhesive – The glue on command strips is a proprietary formula designed specifically not to damage surfaces upon removal. So it sticks on tight!
Strong bond – The strips bond intimately with the wall surface below to support weight. This clinging grip resists removal.
Flexible plastic – The strips themselves stretch and flex which allows the adhesive underneath to hang on. Rigid strips would release easier.
Smooth surface – The flat, non-porous materials of walls don’t give the adhesive much to grab onto except their smooth surface.
Pressure – Command products stick best when firmly pressed down. This squeezes out air bubbles and gets maximum surface contact.
Balancing act – Hanging objects puts shear force against the strip. As you try removing it, it’s still resisting that weight and tension.

So command strips are supposed to stay on the wall and not let go easily! That’s what makes them so useful. But thankfully a bit of heat and floss can help coax them off cleanly.

Can I Reuse Command Strips?

What about reusing command strips once removed? While you can certainly try to re-stick them, it’s not guaranteed they’ll adhere as well again for a few reasons:

Less adhesive – Some glue gets left behind on the wall so less remains on the strip.
Dirt and dust – The strip can pick up debris that gets between it and the wall.
Bent shape – Removing the strip bends it out of perfect flatness needed for good contact.
Weakened bonds – The adhesive partly separates from itself when pulled off, weakening its structure.
Failed adhesion – If it peeled off the wall before, adhesion may fail again in the same spot.

Reattaching used strips or hooks is risky. The adhesive may seem to stick at first but then fail, causing your item to suddenly fall. It’s better to play it safe and use fresh strips for important jobs.

However, for lightweight items or temporary attachments, you could get away with reusing strips. Just be sure to clean them extremely well and press them firmly when reapplying. But expect that they’ll probably need to be replaced sooner than fresh strips.

What’s Better Than Command Strips for Hanging?

Command strips are convenient but they aren’t the strongest option for heavier items. Here are some sturdier alternatives:

Screws/nails – For attaching heavy mirrors, shelves, coat racks or anything you need to stay firmly put indefinitely, use screws anchored into wall studs or molly bolts in drywall.
3M panel hangers – Panel adhesive hooks hold up to 50 pounds on smooth surfaces like painted walls or tile. No tools needed.
Adhesive disc hooks – These use foam adhesive pads to mount hooks directly on the wall without screws. Holds 20-30 pounds.
Temporary adhesive strips – Removable glue strips like Command Poster strips are good for heavyweight posters, pictures and signs.
Magnetic hooks – Magnetic hooks attach right to steel doors, vents, and cabinets. No adhesive needed and they’re removable.
Over the door hangers – Spring loaded hooks that fit over the top of doors offer an adhesive-free way to hang lighter towels, coats, etc.

For big jobs, the right heavy-duty hardware beats command strips. But for lightweight, temporary jobs, it’s hard to beat the convenience of command hooks and picture strips!

FAQs About Command Strips

Some frequently asked questions about command strips:

How Long Do Command Strips Last?

On a clean wall, command strips typically last 1-2 years before their adhesive starts to give out. Heavy items or hot, humid environments may reduce this lifespan. For permanent holding power, use screws or molly bolts instead.

Where In My Home Should I Not Use Command Strips?

Avoid using command strips on wallpaper, as removal can damage the paper surface. Also don’t use them in bathrooms or other humid locations where moisture can seep behind and loosen their grip.

Do Command Strips Work On Textured Walls?

Yes, textured walls like popcorn, knockdown, and orange peel finish can be used with command strips. The texture gives the adhesive more to grab. Just firmly press along the entire strip for the best hold.

What’s The Easiest Command Strip To Remove?

The Command Poster strips with Velcro-like fasteners peel off the wall very easily while still holding weight. They leave no adhesive behind to scrape off.

How Do I Make Command Strips Stick Better?

Wipe down the wall with rubbing alcohol before applying. When pressing the strip on, use an old gift card or credit card to really smoosh it tight end-to-end for maximum adhesion.

Are Command Strips Bad For Walls?

When removed properly, command strips do not damage paint or drywall. However, pulling them off aggressively can rip paint or paper from the wall. Take care when removing strips and clean up any adhesive reside for best wall results.

Conclusion

Command strips and hooks provide a handy adhesive mounting solution for hanging objects on walls while avoiding nail holes. But they must be removed carefully to avoid leaving behind messy residue or damaging your paint or drywall. Follow these steps to easily take down used command products:

Warm strips with a blow dryer or hot water to soften adhesive
Slide sturdy floss or fishing line behind to cut through the glue
Gently pull strips off at an angle once adhesive releases
Use oils, solvents or cleaning agents to remove any leftover sticky spots

With some patience, you can take down command strips without trouble and erase all signs they were there. Just be slow and steady as you work them off to get a clean removal. Then sit back and admire your immaculate walls!