DON'T hang pictures with dental floss. Wow, what a RECKLESS suggestion. Even braided wire has weight limits. Broken glass, a broken frame, and destroyed artwork are not an even tradeoff for a couple of scratches to the wall - a wall hidden by the artwork. I was a picture framer for 20+ years and I cannot even begin to estimate the amount of ruined artwork I've seen due to DIY hackery.

Seriously.

If the ends of picture hanging wire are scratching your walls, simply bend them away from the wall! Cover them with a bit of masking tape if you're really paranoid.

I've framed and hung many, many pictures and have never had a problem with the ends of the wire scratching anything.

How exactly does picture wire damage walls? I've never encountered that. I've had actual frames stick to walls before, scraped a wall with my own ring, and had to nail multiple holes to get a framed piece into the right location, but have never had any damage caused by the wires. And considering how many times I've had dental floss break apart between my own teeth, I think I'll skip this idea unless I have a 'you must hang this now or die' emergency and dental floss is the only thing MacGyver can find for me.

I hang all my artwork with wire and have never seen a scratch on my walls from it. If you seriously can't hang a frame with wire without messing up your walls (outside of the screw holes) then maybe you'd be better off with posters and double stick tape.

For the love of god people.

this is a terrible recommendation. For short term use it could work, but it will eventually fail from the weight of the frame. I'd sooner use fishing line.

@talktoearthworms: that is the only non-wire way to go, and I'm really shocked she didn't recommend that instead.

Ditto on strong fishing line, if an alternative to picture wire is desired (e.g., it's often less visible). Dental floss? Don't think so. Seems like one of those Real Simple mag alternative uses for common household items.

Apartment Therapy is making me sad.

This Old House is making me sad.

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva likes to hang pictures with it instead of braided wire, which can mar wall paint.

Tom Silva has also used it instead of Teflon tape, to block leaky gaps around parts that screw into place. He just winds a length around the fitting's threads half a dozen turns before screwing it on.

Remind me never to hire this Silva guy for anything.

Hi
As an artist and former framer I wouldnt recommend anyone to hang art in dentalfloss! Why? Paintings should be professionally framed and have no sharp edges from the start and willl never touch any wallpaper. If your paintings are in such swing it would be better to check out the support of the house? All nylon will be fragil by time long or short. Even fishing line has a time limit. The simple iron line will do it for years. The dental floss idea is just plain stupid, sorry to say but it is. I would neve risk an investmen of rt for a sullotion that wont last. I rather get new wallpaper or paint the wall thank you.
Lena Hautoniemi

While we're on the topic, and apparently there are a number of professional framers here....I have a question re hooks on the backs of your frames. I bought an aluminum picture frame on sale and didn't notice that the back hooks to actually HANG the frame were gone. Does anyone have any recommendations on how I can install hooks and/or hang the frame w/o using the conventional frame hooks that require drilling into the frame?

What? I break dental floss all the time just by flossing my teeth. I can't imagine hanging heavy glass objects with it. Shoot, I wouldn't even use fishing line.

@just_kazari: is the back of the frame solid or is there a track in it? I have some artwork framed in metal and the back of the frame pieces are not solid, there is a track cut in and they have metal things in there with rings for the wire, no drilling required. I googled "aluminum frame hanger kit", got tons of results.

@Jess13 there is a track in that the frame has a depth of about 1 inch and then hooks over into a edge, if that's what you mean?

I googled around but wasn't sure what to look for, and most of the frame equipment that I saw (I think most of the 'aluminum frame hanger kit' I found refers to the material that the hanger itself is made of, unless my google-fu and reading comprehension is totally off) requires some sort of screw or nail to fasten it to the frame.

Alternatively, are those 'damage free' velcro sticky strips a viable option? I have some, but am still leery for the safety of my frame...and my wall.

Thank you for your help.

Maybe not for pictures, but I worked in retail and we used dental floss to hang decorative items from the ceiling all the time. For more seasonal decorating in particular, its great. And it doesn't get all twisty like fishing line.

I use picture hanging wire, sorry. I use pliers to wrap the ends very neatly around the wire. Never scratched a wall, and I don't worry about frames falling.

I am pro-pro-framing, but not everyone has the budget for it. Why not use felt or rubber dot bumpers on the corners or sugru to cover any sharp hardware? Agree that you want art to stay safely on the wall in tact.