The present study reports a very simple and low-cost dip-coating method for the preparation of fluorine-free water-repellent SiO2 nanoparticle coating. The coating has a high water contact angle of 169 degrees and a sliding angle of 7 degrees, showing superhydrophobic property. The coating demonstrates good adhesion on substrates and the long-term stability. Importantly, the coating also demonstrates superhydrophobicity in the wide pH range of corrosive liquids. It is found that a piece of glass coated with superhydrophobic coatings cannot only float freely on water surface but also exhibit striking loading capacities. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.