Liberate Your Walls! Wallpaper Removal Tips

by Katherine

Efficient tips to remove wallpaper.

liberate your walls wallpaper removal tips, wall decor

Have you been putting off wallpaper removal in your house? Do you find a million other things to do every time you think of tackling it? Is the fetal position one of them? Well, if your growing accustomed to those acid colored daises in the kitchen or you find yourself naming those cute little ducks with the bows, its time to get started.

Our house is overrun with dated 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s wallpaper from scroll borders to full floral wall coverage. It is one of the first things I started tackling when we moved in, and although I’m still not finished, I developed a few really efficient methods to eliminating it.

Get the right tools.

Prep the Space:

Move any pictures, curtains, or furniture away from the wall.

Lay down a drop cloth to protect your floor and catch the wallpaper strips.

Cover any light switches or electrical outlets with painter’s tape.

Method:

This blue and pink tulip wallpaper has been the hardest to remove. I’m pretty confident it is the vinyl type and was applied directly to the sheet rock. Other wallpapers in the house came off just using the steamer, but this stuff is tenacious. So tenacious in fact that I’ve called it many inappropriate names and had to walk away at times to preserve my sanity!

Step One use the scoring tool to prick the wallpaper surface. This allows the wallpaper removal solution to penetrate.

Step Two spray the solution over a section of the paper and allow to penetrate for 10-15 minutes.

Step Three fill up the steamer and let it get hot. Then start steaming a section. Be sure to use slow, steady strokes over the paper. You should see condensation building up.

Step Four peel up an edge with your finger nail or use the scraper tool in a quick up and down motion to begin peeling paper away.

Step Five grab edge of lifted paper and pull away from wall.

See video tutorials and get more tips on P&P!

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3 comments

William on Sep 26, 2016
I have always used vinegar in hot water. The vinegar cuts into the adhesive. Let it soak into the wallpaper, then scrape and peel. Peels off in long sheets. Most of the time the paper backing remains and that comes off easy. Then I wash the adhesive off with a sponge, vinegar, and water. Have never used a scoring tool or steamer. If one is not careful a scoring tool can cut into the drywall. Personally, I feel the moisture from a steamer can penetrate the paper on the drywall and cause more damage.

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- Katherine on Sep 26, 2016
  I've never heard the vinegar trick. Several people have recommended fabric softener. Steaming is amazing! You do have to keep moving the nozzle in even strokes, so you don't get the drywall too wet otherwise it easily gouges. You just run the scoring tool over the paper and it puts little pricks in it. You needn't press down very hard.
  
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Charlene on Sep 26, 2016
Love the great tips! I have been dreading removing my wallpaper. Feeling more confident now....thanks!

1 Reply
- Katherine on Sep 26, 2016
  I'm so glad! Wallpaper can be a real bear, and I've got tons of it in this house we bought. Best of luck with your projects!
  
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