Is there a way to get water stains off of wall paper?

Dorothy
by Dorothy
I had a leak from the air conditioning unit in the attic.
  9 answers
  • Ebbjdl Ebbjdl on Oct 27, 2017


    If you have wall paper left from this room, I would cut it out and replace it with new paper. Scrub the glue off the wall, let it dry completely. Replace the paper. To remove the paper, start with a paint tray and hot water. Take the roller and roll into the water, and drain excess off. Roll from the bottom up, and remove the paper by scraping from the bottom up with as putty knife.

    • Dorothy Dorothy on Oct 27, 2017

      Don’t have the paper and it’s not made anymore . 2 walls of room are covered. Hate the thought of having to find new and replace it all. Was hoping for new ideas to clean it.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 27, 2017

    Insurance claim?

  • Debbie Debbie on Oct 27, 2017

    try rubbing with stale bread this is a good wallpaper cleaner. But if the water stain has soaked right through the paper it might be easier to replace if this doesn't work.

  • Den13695589 Den13695589 on Oct 27, 2017

    Try Mister Clean sponges. Wet and then squeeze out all the water. Good luck.

  • 31067135 31067135 on Oct 27, 2017

    Personally, I would never use wallpaper around anything that might leak, steam up, or condense - just like a bathroom. I'd use at least a semigloss paint instead because whatever leaked before might leak again. It will make it easier to wipe up the water stains with a warm sponge.

    • Dorothy Dorothy on Oct 27, 2017

      Won’t leak again because ac was replaced from in attic to other location. Leak was in living room, not bathroom or kitchen. Phoenix is an extremely dry location. I do have wall paper in all my bathrooms and in kitchen and have not had a problem in those rooms in the 30 years I have lived In this house. All my wallpaper is vinyl backed.

  • Shari Lemieux Shari Lemieux on Oct 27, 2017

    Rather than remove and/or replace all that wallpaper, you could try painting it using a special primer that covers stain. Here in Canada, we have a product called Kilz primer which is supposed to cover most stains. Best wishes.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Oct 27, 2017

    I don't think you will be able to clean it, but you might be able to cover the stain by getting Stain Cover to spray over it and then you will be able to paint it. That's the only easy and cheap way to fix it. Oh! just thought, could it be covered by a picture or mirror etc......

    • Dorothy Dorothy on Oct 27, 2017

      I never heard of stain cover. I will look for it. Thanks

  • Pat Ruge Pat Ruge on Oct 29, 2017

    Your more important problem, imo, is the AC leaking. To install this in the attic, it needs to have a method for draining the water that definitely occur again and again. Whoever installed should have know this and you may be accumulating mold in the attic and in your duct system. The hot attic with moisture is a perfect breeding ground for mold. No matter where you place the AC in the attic, it needs a drain system.

    • Dorothy Dorothy on Oct 29, 2017

      Yes, this was an old system built in the original house. After 40 years or more the holding Pan restaurant out