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Using Suction Cups

Suction cups are a tried and proven method of hanging products from dry, smooth, clean surfaces. To help prevent your suction cup from failing, and your product falling, here are some useful tips we recommend you follow.

Choose a smooth, flat surface

Suction cups form an airtight seal, but to do so, require an even surface. They're more likely to fall if the surface has any slight curves or textures since these could let air into the suction cup and break the seal.

Flat surfaces such as glass, sealed tiles and stainless steel are all great places to use suction cups. You can even use suction cups on plastic, as long as it's a hard flat surface.

Suction cups do not work well on porous surfaces, like untreated tiles, fabric, or rough, soft plastics.

If you're trying to use suction cups in the shower, try putting them on to glass, a large tile, or a smooth part of the acrylic cubicle wall.

Clean the surface

Use hot soapy water to remove dust that prevents the cup from sticking. Using a soft lint-free, scrub the area where you want to use your suction cup. This will remove any dirt or built-up grime from the surface.

If any reside still remains on surface, try using vinegar or a rubbing alcohol as they're stronger cleaning agents.

Dry the surface

Your suction cup is more likely to fall if water gets inside it, so it is important to thoroughly dry the surface before applying the suction cup.

Either wipe the area dry with a lint-free cloth or let it air-dry. If you try to press the suction cup down on top of the surface while it's wet, it will leave air pockets once it dries and weaken its seal. This will cause the suction cup to fail.

Wash the suction cup

Any residue or debris on the suction cup itself could make it fail. Whether you have an old or new suction cup, clean it with a damp cloth and a dab of dish soap and rinse under warm water. Lightly pat the suction up dry with a lint-free cloth.

For any stuck-on residue, try scrubbing the suction cup with vinegar.

Apply at room temperature

Lower temperatures cause air pockets to form inside of a suction cup's seal. Once air pockets start to form, they weaken your suction cup's ability to hold on to a surface. To prevent this, wait for the air temperature to warm up. This will allow your suction cup to form a stronger seal.

Petroleum jelly can help

A small dab of petroleum jelly helps to form a tighter seal. Simply dip your finger into a tub of petroleum jelly and spread a thin layer around the rim of the suction cup. When you press the suction cup onto your surface, the petroleum jelly will fill in any gaps and keep water from getting, allowing you to have the tightest seal.

Petroleum jelly works great to attach suction cups to glass. If you don't have any, a great alternative is to use any hand lotion.

For a more permanent hold

For a more permanent hold, use Silicone glue. Silicone dries onto your surface, and not only makes a water-tight seal, but when necessary, can be removed with relative ease.

Silicone works best on surfaces like glass, hard plastic, and tiles. Get a small tube of waterproof silicone and apply it to the inside of the suction cup in a spiral pattern. Leave a little free space around the edge of the cup to prevent the silicone from squeezing out.

Press the suction cup in the middle

Hold the suction cup over the surface and push down firmly with your thumb. For best results, try and make the suction cup lie as flat as possible against your surface.

Never push the edges of your suction cup, as this could let air in underneath the seal and weaken the suction cup's hold.

If you used silicone and any squeezed out around the edges, quickly wipe up the excess with a damp paper towel.

Wait 24 hours

Using the suction cup right away could weaken the seal. Avoid hanging anything or applying pressure to the suction cup right after you put it up. Give the seal a chance to set so it holds firm and doesn't fall.

Inspect every few days

Checking on the suction cup helps you catch it before it comes loose. If you want to make suction cups stick forever, you'll have to check them every few days before they get too weak and fail.

Use your thumb to press down on the middle of the suction cup to get rid of any air bubbles that may have found their way inside.

Revive old suction cups

To help old suction cups become as good as new, place them in a cup, coffee mug or small bowl, and cover with boiling water. Leave for about 30 seconds, then remove them using pair of tongs and pat them dry on a lint-free towel.

While warmed, the suction cups will be more flexible and easier to use, so try to use the suction cups right after you dry them.

Replace damaged suction cups

Damaged edges let air in, causing the seal to weaken and the suction cup fail. The edges of a suction cup only form a tight seal if they're flat against the surface, so if you've tried reshaping your suction cups and the edges still lift up from the surface, it's time to replace it with a new suction cup.