Doesn't Hold Up: The Affordable IKEA Storage Find You May Want To Skip

For many, IKEA is a reliable outlet for affordable home storage solutions. The furniture and home goods giant, which is known for their easy-to-assemble products, has a seemingly endless variety of cabinets, shelves, and hutches that are both stylish and functional, and that also cater to the unique needs of their customers. It's easy to understand its cult following, though it's not uncommon to find a product that doesn't follow through on its function. In this case, one such product is the ÖBONÄS wall organizer from IKEA. Now, if you've purchased similar products in the past, you're probably aware of the downsides to suction cup shower shelves and how they tend to slip and fall, especially in the shower.

Retailing at $4.99, the ÖBONÄS wall shelf includes a suction cup and comes in gray-green and gray-beige. Its design is minimalistic, with its product description claiming to grip smooth surfaces like glass, mirrors, and tiles. However, out of 132 customer reviews, the product ranks a total of 3 stars, with many mixed reviews on how well the product actually sticks to these surfaces. One one-star review explains that it didn't hold up in the shower, adding that "Even empty, it keeps falling off (several times a week). I love the color, so I ended up keeping it as a tray to hold pet poop bags." Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated incident, with many reviews echoing the same issue, and because of that, this IKEA product is one you'll likely return, according to customer reviews. 

Some reviewers don't have a problem with this shelf holding light products off the sink, while many others have explained that the suction doesn't hold up even the lightest of products. Per one five-star review, the ÖBONÄS works great on their kitchen backsplash, holding their herbal tinctures, noting that you have push it down with a lot of force for it to stick, "but once it does, it's like super glue."

But it appears that other reviews don't have the same luck when using it in their shower. One one-star review explains that the design is great, but explains that the quality is flimsy and doesn't suction well. Another one-star review explains that they purchased the product based on several reviews stating it works well in the shower. "Unfortunately, the suction cups didn't work at all, they barely stayed up on our bathroom tiles while empty, let alone with any items in them. Great looking design so it's a shame they don't work properly." They add that they tested them on a mirror and noticed improved suction grip, but it was still subpar.

There are several reasons why the ÖBONÄS doesn't work in the shower. Generally, a suction shelf may absorb moisture that naturally builds up in this area, as well as the surface texture that conflicts with the suction base. As one of the reviewers who mentioned applying force to the shower, it might help to do this in your shower after ensuring the tile is dry and clean before applying. Silicone sealant might also combat this issue.