Hooked on 3M's Command Strips

In my home there is that never-ending question of "Where do I put this?" especially when it comes to children's toys. I am always on the lookout for storage options that not only keep things organized but are easily assessable for my children. I was recently searching for a quick and new way to organize my children's dress up clothes. Typically, these adorable and expensive costumes get squished into a small box. For the moment, the storage problem is solved until I hear the the inevitable "Mommy, I can't find it" wailing down the hall.

Consequently, the entire contents of the box are emptied. I decided we needed to revamp this system for something new. I tried hanging the clothes on hangers in the extra playroom closet. The clothes looked great but were entirely out of reach for young children. I knew I needed a way to hang the outfits but at a child's eye level. My thoughts went back to Kindergarten when each child in my class had their own hook, at eye level, for their small jacket or book bag. Just the idea for which I had been searching. I would move away from containers to a different form of organizing. This way would also be a great way to encourage my kids to organize their own costumes.

I wanted hooks that were easy to install, removable and sturdy. I had seen an advertisement for 3M's Command Strips. These fit the bill so I went to work creating our new storage area. Mounting the hooks was simple. The instructions were written on the back of the package for mounting and removal of the hooks. One simply cleans the surface where hooks are to be mounted, applies the strip according to directions, holds it in place for a short time and then waits one hour before use. Removal is just as simple. The hook cover slides up allowing one to grab the removal tab. The consumer pulls down slowly on the removal tab and it is released.

The hooks come in various sizes. I chose the small hooks for my project. Included in the packages are extra adhesives because the hooks can be reused which is a plus in my opinion. The hooks cost a little over a dollar a piece (I purchase mine at a large discount store). I invested approximately $25.00 in the project.

As far as durability, I would highly recommend this product. This item takes quite a bit of use at our house and has been very reliable.