Removing old walpaper
by
La Mac
+2
I have old wallpaper in my kitchen and bath. What is the easiest way to remove it. I want to start, but am dreading it....
5 answers
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From my experience, there is no one "best" way to remove wallpaper. It's often a matter of trial and error since what works on one wallpapered area doesn't necessarily work for all wallpapered areas. You just have to experiment because there are so many varying factors like the age of the wallpaper, the thickness of the paper, what type of wall it has been adhered to (wallboard or plaster), etc. Sometimes I have good luck just using some fabric softener mixed with very hot water and sometimes I don't. Sometimes wallpaper removers like DIF have worked and sometimes they haven't. There have been times when I have had to resort to using a wallpaper steamer. On two occasions I couldn't get the wallpaper off with any method so I had to admit defeat and paint over it. When you are ready to get started, grab the paper where it is starting to peel and pull. Usually there is a top (decorative) layer and a paper backing. If it is already loose, the top layer should come off fairly easily (hopefully), leaving you with just the paper backing. You can use a putty knife to gently pry up the corners of any sections that are more firmly attached. To remove the paper backing, I would start by mixing some laundry fabric softener with HOT water in a spray bottle. Saturate the paper and let it sit for a few minutes to soften the paper and adhesive and then try scraping with a putty knife, being careful not to gouge your walls. Heat and moisture is what helps dissolve the adhesive so in most cases, the wetter you keep the paper, the easier it will be to remove it. If the fabric softener and hot water doesn't work, then you may want to try a chemical wallpaper remover like DIF. Or, if you can borrow a wallpaper steamer from a friend or relative, the steamer can make the process go a whole lot easier too, but a basic model isn't really very expensive. I think I bought my wallpaper steamer about 4 years ago for around $50 at Lowes. As you remove the paper, it is helpful to also have a big sponge or rag and a bucket of clean water so you can wipe your walls down as you remove the paper. After all the effort in removing the wallpaper, you don't want the glue residue drying on your walls. Good luck! Removing wallpaper is not the most fun DIY project but it sure is rewarding when that last little bit of wallpaper comes off! :)
Shari
on Apr 03, 2014
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Shari has the good ideas here. I've only taken off one wall of wallpaper, it was old flocked wallpaper in the 80s, that they had put on with elmer's glue. I had a wall paper steamer and we ended up basically scraping it off, damaging the walls to get it off. Good luck!
LeeAnn Gerleman
on Feb 04, 2015
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Buy a wallpaper corer at home Depot. Roll the core on the wallpaper then mix some cheap fabric softer with warm water in a spay bottle. Spray the area you cored, the liquid gets in the tiny hoes and softens the paper . Use a scraper and easily scrape paper off walls . Follow with wiping walls with wet rag to remove glue residue . . Marj. W.
Marjorie W.
on Apr 04, 2015
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We used hot water. And sprayed it on and also used a wall paper scorer to make marks in the wall paper to help losen it. I have a 5-1 tool, and a big long paint scraper which is just a big long razor to help peel it off. If it has been sized first it comes off very very easy. If it hasn't been expect plenty if gauges. If there are gauges use dry wall mud and skim the walls and dry wall sand paper and sand it down. Or you can rent a wall paper steamer and it helps. I have taken down so much wall paper my fingers still hurt.
Sherrie
on Apr 04, 2015
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Rent a steamer.
Deborah manning
on Apr 21, 2015
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