Are Command Strips Strong Enough To Hold Up A Nice Mirror? Read This Before You Try

Whether you're renting a place and your landlord doesn't allow you to put holes in the wall or you are a homeowner who likes to keep the surface of your walls intact, you might be considering using Command Strips to hang mirrors in your home. But before using this product to secure your nice mirror in its chosen spot, you want to be sure your decor stays put and doesn't fall and shatter on the floor. While there are many unexpected ways to use Command Strips around your home, choosing this product to hang your nice mirror can be risky. Are Command Strips strong enough to hang your mirror? Yes, as long as its weight is 16 pounds or less. 3M offers different strips in various sizes and strengths, and some should be able to support the weight of your mirror if it's under 16 pounds. But should you use them for this purpose? That's a different story. Overall, keep in mind that there is a possibility of it falling off the wall.

Before deciding which product to use, you first want to weigh your mirror to ensure you choose the right Command Strips. You also need to keep some other factors in mind like where you want to hang your mirror and if your item is valuable or irreplaceable. Command includes a warning on its website stating that you shouldn't use the strips for such belongings. That advice indicates there is a possibility your product could fall. Still, if you do decide to use Command Strips to hang your mirror, preparation and choosing the right location and surface will increase your chances of success.

If you've decided to hang your mirror with Command Strips, choose the correct type that's strong enough to hold its weight and pick a wall that has a smooth surface. Walls with texture or wallpaper are not good choices, as the strips might not stick properly. Also avoid freshly-painted walls, waiting at least a week before hanging your mirror. The temperature in the room also matters because Command Strips work best in rooms between 50 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. While that likely isn't an issue in most homes, it can become one in locations that aren't climate-controlled. Humidity might also be an issue and why Command Strips don't work well in places like the bathroom.

Once you have your set location and proper strips, clean the area with rubbing alcohol and apply the appropriate number based on your mirror's size and weight. You want at least four — two for each side. Take the liner off of each strip to reveal the sticky portion, remove any hanging gear from the back of your mirror, line the mirror up level, and press it flat onto the wall for 30 seconds. To give the adhesive a chance to strengthen, remove the mirror from the wall, set it aside, and manually press each strip on the wall for another 30 seconds. After an hour, replace the mirror, and listen for the click that tells you the Command Strips are linked together. Then, if you ever want to move the mirror, follow the directions so you can remove the Command Strips with minimal damage, and use new strips in the new location.