How to Remove Wallpaper 10/17/08


Question:
Help! I can’t get old wallpaper to come off of the wall.

Answer: Some wallpapers are designed to peel away with minimal effort. But, if you are unlucky enough to be faced with wallpaper that’s really stuck—vintage wallpaper can be the worst—you know that removal can be a bear. Don’t give up, though. There are some good tools and techniques that will help you:

Level 1 – Scrape Carefully.

Some wallpapers will peel nicely with a little help from a razor blade or wallpaper scoring tool, which you can find at your local home improvement store. Be careful not to cut into the drywall or plaster when scraping.

Level 2 – Soak It Off.

Combine one part fabric softener with four parts water in a spray bottle and spray the solution on the wall to saturate the area. Let it work its magic for a few minutes, then peel or use a scraper to encourage peeling.

Level 3 – Get Steaming.

You can rent or buy a wallpaper steamer or a use a heavy-duty clothes steamer to help lift the paper. This process may be tedious, but it generally will remove those last stubborn layers.

Once you have removed the paper and backing, it’s essential that you use a sponge to clean the glue residue from the walls. For heavy buildup, you may need to sand the area to create a smooth finish, especially if you’re going to paint the walls.


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