What is the best way to remove wallpaper paste off walls

Donna B
by Donna B
Removed and scraped paper off, but paste still here and there all over walls. Gummy and sticky.

  9 answers
  • Dee Dee on Jun 29, 2018

    I used purple power from Walmart, my neighbor used Simple Green. Clean, rinse and let dry. Get one of those big yellow sponges that the contractors use for grout, makes it a lot easier.

  • B. Enne B. Enne on Jun 29, 2018

    I use liquid fabric softener, hot water and an old towel. Rinse well.

  • HS HS on Jun 29, 2018

    I used good old warm water with vinegar in a spray bottle. just be patient and scrape away.

  • William William on Jun 29, 2018

    I use a 50/50 mix of hot water and vinegar with a sponge

  • Sjt29229935 Sjt29229935 on Jul 01, 2018

    I have wallpapered for years and tried every method and suggestion you can imagine. Some with ok results, but always a sloppy mess and pain. Then one day the drywall man was doing some prep work during our kitchen remodel. I had taken the old wallpaper off but not cleaned the walls yet. Well, I happened to stop and look at what he was doing and the walls around his area were absolutely paste free and whistle clean. I couldn't believe my eyes!! I asked him what he was using and he said, "Just all-purpose drywall mud". What? You're joking and messing with me, right? As I watched, he troweled it off the wall slicker than all get out. Well, I high tailed it down to the local big box and grabbed a pail of premixed, all-purpose drywall mud, a drywall tray and 4" drywall scraper. I slathered a bunch on the wall, waited about 10 minutes and then ran the scraper up the wall to remove the mud. To my total shock and awe, the past slid right off with the mud. If any stuborn spots didn't let go, I put a little more mud on, waited and off it came. I was euphoric! Easiest method of all time!!! I worked in small sections so the mudd wouldn't completely dry. I had an old 5 gallon pail to put the mud in as I took it off the wall. Didn't use the special, little drywall tray. Used the scraper to take the mud directly from the bucket and spread it on the wall and then scraped off and into the 5 gallon bucket. It was GREAT! So easy and fast, Not to mention relatively clean. Once the walls were all smooth and paste free, I washed them with bleach solution and then clear water to stop any chemical reaction. The walls were ready for fresh paint or new wallpaper. I repapered and it has held beautifully. I can't begin to tell you what a great method this is after all these years of steaming, scraping, scoring, spraying. using fabric softener and a million other methods of marginal results. Never again! From now on it is all purpose drywall mud for this gal. Good luck with your project, Bum!

    • Donna B Donna B on Jul 01, 2018

      well thats amazing!! And i thank you. Will purchase today!! woohoo!!

  • Sjt29229935 Sjt29229935 on Jul 01, 2018

    I was thrilled! Good luck. Let me know how it worked for u😀

  • Robyn Garner Robyn Garner on Jul 01, 2018

    I love DIF!!! Get the concentrated and mix with HOT water in a garden sprayer. Spray only about 10 sq. feet at a time, let sit for 10-20 minutes and wash with a sponge. Keep rinsing the sponge out so you aren't just spreading the glue. It should only take once, maybe twice to get clean walls.

  • Deb K Deb K on Jul 01, 2018

    When the paper is gone, spray the walls again and scrape off all paste residue with a broad knife. Rinse with clean water and wipe down with a wet sponge until nopaste remains. Give the walls 24 to 48 hours to dry before painting. Roll on an oil-based stain killing primer and finish with a latex top coat.

  • Karen Marie Karen Marie on Mar 26, 2021

    warm water/vinegar, spray it on then scrape off gently