No-Drill Kitchen and Bathroom Storage: A Guide to Adhesive Hooks and Holders

Drilling into tiles is noisy, risky and often not allowed in rented homes. Self-adhesive hooks, racks and holders solve most small storage problems in the kitchen and bathroom without a single hole. Here is what to use where, and how to make them stick properly.

How to make adhesive hooks stay up

1. Choose a smooth surface. Glazed tiles, glass, mirrors and laminate hold best. Rough plaster, textured paint and wallpaper do not.
2. Clean and dry it. Wipe away grease and soap film, then let the surface dry completely.
3. Press firmly. Hold the hook in place for 30 seconds or so to bed the adhesive in.
4. Wait before loading. Many adhesives need several hours to reach full strength; follow the product's instructions.
5. Respect the load. Use heavier-duty hooks or more than one hook for heavier items.

Kitchen

• Utensils and ladles: a wall-mounted rail with 10 adjustable hooks or a 360-degree rotating hook rack.
• Spices: an adjustable drill-free spice rack.
• Appliance cords: a self-adhesive cord organiser on the side of the mixer or toaster.
• Sink area: an adhesive sponge holder and sink and platform sealing tape to stop water seeping behind the counter.
• Plastic bags: a wall-mounted bag holder.
• Kitchen towels and keys: simple strong adhesive wall hooks or heavy-duty transparent hooks.

Bathroom

• Towels: an adhesive towel holder.
• Soap: an adhesive soap dish with drain slots keeps soap dry and lasting longer.
• Toothbrushes: a wall-mount toothbrush holder (2 pc).
• Shampoo and body wash: self-adhesive shampoo bottle holders that hang bottles upside down.
• Hand shower: an adjustable shower head holder.
• Hair dryer: a self-adhesive hair dryer holder.

Reusable option: nano gel pads

For light things that you move around, such as a remote, a phone or a small frame, reusable nano gel pads can be washed and stuck again.

Taking them down

Warm the hook gently with a hair dryer for a minute, then peel slowly from one corner. Leftover adhesive usually rolls off with a fingertip or a little cooking oil.

Find more in adhesive hooks and holders and home improvement. Free delivery on orders above Rs.299.