# My brilliant solution for metal shower curtain hooks that get stuck on the bar
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [August 23, 2012, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372 "2012-08-23T12:35:11Z")
**Posts on this page:** 14
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/1 "2012-08-23T12:35:11Z")
It has happened a few times in my life where I install a new shower curtain and hooks, and then constantly struggle trying to pull it open, because the metal hooks get kind of stuck on the metal bar.
When I moved into my new place, it occurred to me that metal on metal usually needs to be lubricated in some way. So I sprayed a paper towel with some WD-40 and wiped it along the top of the shower bar.
My shower curtain now zips along the bar like the Eurostar!
I rocketh.
---
### Author:  [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/2 "2012-08-23T13:31:33Z")
Should have used a real lube. WD-40 is just going to leave a gunky residue that will make things worse in the not-so-long term. Note you will have to clean it off the rod and the hooks. Nasty.
Clean it off before it gets bad and try a moly-style clear lube.
---
### Author:  [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/3 "2012-08-23T13:41:41Z")
You could always post this on Life Hacking.
---
### Author:  [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/4 "2012-08-23T13:52:31Z")
> [@ftg](#):
>
> Should have used a real lube. WD-40 is just going to leave a gunky residue that will make things worse in the not-so-long term. Note you will have to clean it off the rod and the hooks. Nasty.
>
> Clean it off before it gets bad and try a moly-style clear lube.
WD-40 isn’t so bad for this application.
I’d never recommend any type of grease for this, but [Silicone spray](http://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80070-Silicone-Lubricant-Aerosol/dp/B000HBM5S2)would work pretty well.
---
### Author:  [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/5 "2012-08-23T14:04:14Z")
They make shower curtain rings with little ball bearings on them. Those things just FLY across the bar.
---
### Author:  [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/6 "2012-08-23T14:15:50Z")
> [@Munch](#):
>
> They make shower curtain rings with little ball bearings on them. Those things just FLY across the bar.
Yep. AND the last time I needed to buy curtain rings I found hooks with a hook on each side - [like these](http://www.amazon.com/Maytex-Mills-Double-Shower-Brushed/dp/B0042ZB1YI/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1345731273&sr=8-8&keywords=shower+curtain+hooks) - that are the best ones I’ve ever had. I can take down the curtain and wash it without needing to take off the liner.
It’s the small things that make me happy.
---
### Author:  [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/7 "2012-08-23T15:00:09Z")
> [@Lsura](#):
>
> Yep. AND the last time I needed to buy curtain rings I found hooks with a hook on each side - [like these](http://www.amazon.com/Maytex-Mills-Double-Shower-Brushed/dp/B0042ZB1YI/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1345731273&sr=8-8&keywords=shower+curtain+hooks) - that are the best ones I’ve ever had. I can take down the curtain and wash it without needing to take off the liner.
>
> It’s the small things that make me happy.
That looks awesome - but it also looks like it’s $8.50 for ONE ring. At the very least, the item description gives no indication of how many come. 8 oz package could be just about anything.
---
### Author:  [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/8 "2012-08-23T16:07:57Z")
> [@Munch](#):
>
> That looks awesome - but it also looks like it’s $8.50 for ONE ring. At the very least, the item description gives no indication of how many come. 8 oz package could be just about anything.
I got mine at Target (I think - it’s been a couple of years) and it was something like 8 for the package of however many grommets there are in a curtain - more than the plastic rings, yes, but since I use a liner and curtain, worth it for me.
---
### Author:  [@Minnie\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minnie_Luna)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/9 "2012-08-23T16:14:27Z")
> [@Munch](#):
>
> That looks awesome - but it also looks like it’s $8.50 for ONE ring. At the very least, the item description gives no indication of how many come. 8 oz package could be just about anything.
Bought ours at Home Depot for like $10. They are awesome.
---
### Author:  [@Jennmonkye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennmonkye)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/10 "2012-08-23T16:32:40Z")
Next time it happens give the metal bar a swipe with some wax paper. Anyone whose ever sold clothing in a retail store knows this trick to make the hangers glide on the racks! Works like a charm.
---
### Author:  [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/11 "2012-08-23T21:46:40Z")
That’s why I switched to rings, and not hooks. No need for lubrication.
---
### Author:  [@Old\_Red](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Old_Red)
#### Post date: [August 23, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/12 "2012-08-23T22:07:37Z")
The best solution I found to this problem is to slide a length of close-fitting PVC tubing over the metal shower rail. Go to your gardening store and look for the PVC tubing used in lawn irrigation systems. Not only will you have a friction free shower curtain but you will stop any rust forming on the metal shower rail.
---
### Author:  [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)
#### Post date: [August 24, 2012, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/13 "2012-08-24T13:23:48Z")
But then you have a shower rod made of PVC…
---
### Author:  [@CarlS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarlS)
#### Post date: [July 18, 2025, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-brilliant-solution-for-metal-shower-curtain-hooks-that-get-stuck-on-the-bar/632372/14 "2025-07-18T02:44:46Z")
I have a curved telescoping rod . A portion of the small diameter rod had a flat section so it could be locked with set screws. Initially, I oriented the rod with the flat side of the rod pointing towards the ceiling. This effectively doubled the bump that the hooks had to slide across at the transition.
I simply reinstalled the rod with the flat facing down, and the problem went away.