BATHROOMS

Fit bathroom accessories without drilling

Fit towel rings, soap dishes and hooks using strong adhesive fixings, with no drilling and no mess.

AB-01Plan where each accessory goesDecide where you want your towel ring, soap dish, hooks or holders. It makes no difference whether the wall behind is solid brick or block, plasterboard on timber or metal studs, dot-and-dab plasterboard, or lath and plaster — adhesive fixings only grip the surface, they never reach the structure behind. What matters is the surface finish: tile, painted plaster or painted plasterboard. Mark each position lightly with a pencil, using a spirit level to keep things straight.
1 each · Spirit level
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1 each · Pencil
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1 roll · Masking tape
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AB-02Match the fixing to the surface and the weightFor painted plaster or plasterboard, use a water-resistant adhesive strip made for bathrooms. For glazed tile, use a tile-rated adhesive pad — ordinary strips often peel off tile in a steamy room. Suction cups only work on smooth, flat, non-porous tile and only hold very light things, like a flannel or razor. As a rough guide, light strips hold up to about 1kg and heavy-duty pads up to about 3-5kg — check the pack. Anything heavier, or anything that gets pulled or leaned on, such as a grab rail or a heavy mirror, needs a proper screw fixing into the wall instead.
1 pack · Water-resistant adhesive strips (bathroom-rated)
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1 pack · Tile-rated adhesive pads
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AB-03Clean and degrease the surfaceAdhesive fixings fail on greasy, soapy or dusty surfaces. Wash the area with warm soapy water, rinse, then dry fully with a clean cloth. Wipe over with surgical spirit on a lint-free cloth and let it dry for a few minutes — this clears the last traces of soap scum, shampoo and silicone that stop the fixing gripping.
1 bottle · Surgical spirit
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2 each · Lint-free cloth
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1 each · Mild washing-up detergent
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AB-04Hold the accessory in place and check the fitHold the towel ring, hook or dish against the marked spot and check it's level and at a comfortable height. Make sure it won't foul a door, mirror or shower screen when it's in use. Once you're happy, mark the final position clearly.
AB-05Apply the adhesive fixingPeel the backing off the strip or pad without touching the sticky face. Press it onto the wall at the marked spot and hold with firm, even pressure for the time stated on the pack — usually 30 to 60 seconds. Press the accessory on next, using firm pressure across the whole fixing, not just the edges.
AB-06Leave it to cure before using itAdhesive fixings need time to reach full strength. Leave the accessory alone for at least 1 hour, and don't hang a wet towel or lean on it for 24 to 72 hours, depending on the product — check the pack. Loading it too soon is the most common reason these fixings come off.
AB-07Test gently, then tidy upOnce cured, test the fixing with a light load first, then build up to normal use. Wipe away any adhesive residue from the wall or tile with a cloth and a little surgical spirit. Bin the backing papers and offcuts, and store spare strips flat in a cool place for next time.
1 bottle · Surgical spirit
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1 each · Cloth
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