How to Make Suction Cups Stick Better & Longer

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Stop suction cups from falling with our complete guide

Co-authored by Carolina Rodriguez and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: March 4, 2026 Fact Checked

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Making Suction Cups Stick

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Application

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Best Surfaces

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When to Replace

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Video

Suction cups are super convenient for hanging items without damaging the surface, but it’s frustrating when they fall down for no apparent reason. If you want your suction cups to stay secure, there are tons of little tricks to make them stick. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through properly applying suction cups, what surfaces they work best on, and how to tell when to replace them.

Best Ways to Make Suction Cups Stick Better

Choose flat, smooth surfaces like glass, metal, acrylic, or non-porous tiles.
Clean the surface and suction cup with warm, soapy water.
Heat the surface with a hair dryer if it feels colder than room temperature.
Apply petroleum jelly or cooking oil to the suction cup to improve the seal.
Wait 1 day before hanging anything on a suction cup you just applied.
Press down on the center of the suction cup every few days to reseal it.
Boil old suction cups for 2-3 minutes to make them flexible again.

Section 1 of 4:

Tricks to Make Suction Cups Stick Better

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Suction cups stick better when it’s warm, and cold surfaces may cause them to slip. If you’re applying suction cups during a colder month, turn a hair dryer on low heat and warm up the surface for a few minutes. Once it’s warm to the touch, try applying the suction cup again.
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Rub petroleum jelly or cooking oil onto the suction cup. Dip your finger into a tub of petroleum jelly or cooking oil, and spread a thin layer around the bottom of the suction cup. When you press the suction cup onto the surface, the petroleum jelly fills in any gaps to create an airtight seal and keep water from getting underneath.^{[1]
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- In a pinch, you can use any hand lotion instead.^{[2]
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- Petroleum jelly works great to attach suction cups to glass.
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Apply silicone for a more permanent hold. Get a small tube of waterproof silicone and apply it to the bottom 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 firmly onto the surface for 10-15 seconds, and wipe up any excess silicone.^{[3]
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- Let the sealant dry completely before hanging anything from the suction cup.
- Silicone works best on surfaces like glass, hard plastic, and tiles.
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Stay below the suction cup’s weight limit. The packaging for most suction cups lists the maximum weight they’re able to hold. Double-check the weight limit for the suction cups you’re using, and make sure any objects you’re hanging from them are well below the total limit.
- Too much weight on a suction cup could cause it to pull away from the surface and make it eventually fall down.
Suction cups naturally start to pull away from the surface over time, so “burping” them once in a while helps them adhere again. Press the middle of the suction cup in with your thumb to force out any air bubbles that may have found their way inside.^{[4]
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Boil old suction cups to revive them. Fill a pot with enough water to fully submerge the suction cups and bring it to a boil. Take the pot off the heat and drop your suction cups in for about 2-3 minutes. Take them out with a pair of tongs, and pat them dry on a lint-free towel before trying to apply them again.^{[5]
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- Heating the suction cups resets the plastic and makes it more flexible so it can create a tighter seal.
- Try to use the suction cups right after you dry so they’re still warm and flexible.

Section 2 of 4:

How to Properly Apply Suction Cups

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Apply suction cups when the air temperature is above 40 °F (4 °C). Lower temperatures cause air pockets to form inside of the suction cup’s seal. Once air pockets start to form, they weaken your suction cup’s bond with the surface. If you can, apply the suction cups during the warmer spring and summer months for the best results.^{[6]
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- This is especially important if you’re sticking suction cups to windows because the glass may be colder.
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Clean the surface with soapy water. Dust on the surface can prevent a suction cup from sticking. Wet a soft, lint-free cloth with warm water and add a dab of dish soap. Scrub the area where you want to stick the suction cup to lift up dirt or built-up grime. Then, rinse the spot clean with some water when you’re finished.^{[7]
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- If there’s still residue stuck on the surface, try using vinegar or rubbing alcohol as a cleaner instead. Avoid chemical cleaners because they may leave a residue or break down the suction cup over time.^{[8]
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Marie Kondo, Cleaning & Organization Expert

Thoroughly clean surfaces with rubbing alcohol before applying suction cups, removing any residue. Ensure cups themselves are debris-free; press firmly for 30 seconds to dispel trapped air and maximize seal adhesion. For heavy displays, first moisten cup rims for an even tighter grip. Follow this routine, and suction cups will adhere neatly where placed.
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Dry the surface thoroughly. Your suction cup is more likely to fall if water gets caught inside. Either wipe the area dry with a lint-free cloth or let it air-dry.^{[9]
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- If you try to press the suction cup down on the surface while it’s wet, air pockets may form once it dries and weaken the seal.
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Wash the suction cup with dish soap. Whether you have an old or new suction cup, wipe it with a damp cloth and a dab of dish soap. Wipe the inside of the suction cup clean with the cloth, and rinse it under warm water. Pat the suction cups lightly with a lint-free towel to dry them off.^{[10]
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- For any stuck-on residue, try scrubbing the suction cup with vinegar.
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Press the suction cup down firmly in the middle. Hold the suction cup over the surface and push down. Try to make the suction cup flat against the surface, and hold it down for about 10-15 seconds to create an airtight seal.^{[11]
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- If you used any petroleum jelly or silicone that squeezed out, quickly wipe up the excess with a damp paper towel.
- Avoid pressing against the edges of the suction cup because it could let air underneath 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 down.^{[12]
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Section 3 of 4:

Best Surfaces for Suction Cups

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Smooth, flat surfaces work best for suction cups. Cleaning specialist Carolina Rodriguez agrees that flat surfaces like glass, acrylic, Formica, and stainless steel are all great for sticking suction cups.^{[13]
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Carolina Rodriguez
Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview} Even hard, smooth plastic may work. Suction cups are more likely to fall off of curved or textured surfaces because they could let air into the cup and break the seal.^{[14]
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- If you’re trying to get suction cups to stick in the shower, try putting them on the glass door, a large tile, or on a smooth part of the acrylic wall.
- For suction-cup phone mounts, avoid putting them on textured dashboards. Try mounting it to your car windshield or on your radio display.
- Suction cups do not work well on porous surfaces, like untreated tiles, fabric, or rough, soft plastics.

Section 4 of 4:

When to Replace Suction Cups

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The edges of a suction cup only form a tight seal if they’re pressed flat against the surface. If you’ve tried reshaping your suction cups and the edges still lift off the surface, it’s time to pick up a new one from your local hardware store.^{[15]
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