How do I remove wallpaper?

Melody Thompson
by Melody Thompson

I have the ugliest wallpaper in our small bathroom and I want to remove it. I've heard of a way to mix fabric softener with water spray on wallpaper and peel it off. Does anyone have a video of the act of actually doing this? Also what is the ratio of softener to water? Thank you so much for the help.

  7 answers
  • Tinyshoes Tinyshoes on Apr 17, 2019

    Melody...DIF or Zinsser are good products. Purchase a paper tiger, spray gel or liquid to use after making holes with paper tiger, then scrape off. Good luck.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Apr 17, 2019

    Peel as much as possible from the walls.

    If you can't get to the backing, you may need to score the paper with a tool. Paper Tiger is easy to find. Light pressure because you don't want to damage the wall behind the paper.

    Mix 50/50 fabric softener & warm water in a spray bottle or garden sprayer. I've read that vinegar is as effective but I have never used it.

    Allow the mixture to sit for 5 - 10 minutes so that it saturates the adhesive on the paper backing.

    Scrape with a plastic scraper.

    Once it is all removed, wash the walls with warm soapy water (blue Dawn is my go-to) and a microfiber cloth.


    This method has worked best for me. I tried a steamer but it was hot and not nearly as effective. Most of the wallpaper I removed was glued on as well as being pre-pasted so it was stuck very good.

  • Steaming is my preferred method.


    https://www.lowes.com/projects/paint-stain-and-wallpaper/remove-old-wallpaper/project


    You Tube is chock full of tutorials. Do you know how to search on You Tube?

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Apr 21, 2019

    My go-to is DIF concentrate. Peel what comes off easily and score the rest with a wallpaper scoring tool. Score it LOTS!!!


    Mix the DIF in a pump garden sprayer with HOT water. Mix only what you'll use now as the hot water makes a big difference. Spray and leave on per instructions. Test if the glue is dissolved by attempting to scrape one area. If it does not come off easily leave a bit longer (you may need a bit more spray).


    Be sure the floors are covered as this makes a mess. Have a lined garbage can in the room to dispose of the paper. Wash the walls down again with the DIF and then cold water until clean.

  • Nancy Shatara Nancy Shatara on Apr 22, 2019

    couple of questions first...is your wall smooth? How long has the wallpaper been there? I have used both fabric softener, vinegar and wall steamer on 2 different types of walls, both rough and smooth and sized, pre-pasted and pasted. To get it done without a hassle, rent a steamer and boom it is done. Yes you will have to put cloths along the floor to catch the drips also do it on a cool day and have windows open a little to keep yourself cool. Good luck.


  • Linda Linda on Sep 07, 2019

    Here's the easiest way to remove wallpaper.