How to remove a wallpaper border

Question

I'd like to remove a wallpaper border in my dining room, but leave the base paper. Is that possible?  I found a little corner of loose border and started to peel, but it held fast.  Anybody done this?  If so, what method?

MN Mom · Answer

Sometimes borders are adhered directly to the wall and only a small portion of it overlaps the wallpaper itself. If that's the case in your room, you'd be left with wallpaper and the a blank space between it and the ceiling. I've not successfully removed a border without having some damage to the underlying wallpaper itself.

Chris B · Answer

If you base wall paper is vinyl coated and like MN Mom said, if the border is not directly on the wall you should be able to wet only the border and remove it. I would try pulling from the bottom up, as to not pull the wall paper off with it. You may have to re-glue the seams of the base wall paper. Just have to be patient and careful.

Lorraine · Answer

place as hot water as possible in a spray bottle...spray foot long area - wait - go back and scrape off....it doesn't work...remove all wall paper and apply paint.

Johnchip · Answer

I give you at best a less than 20% chance of removal without damaging the under paper. I suggest you consider covering over the ugly with a simple border (maybe plain color) that you like.

Patricia Prinkey · Answer

Get a razor knife and go along the bottom edge.  Next step would be to kiltz starting several inches from the top of what is left of the wallpaper. Paint or add whatever.

Sally-Charles Evans · Answer

Try a hair dryer on a small section...many borders are self-glued and kind of like Contact Paper. Warming the glue and pulling gently has worked for me. It won't hurt to try. Good luck!

Melly · Answer

Agree with Chris B and Lorraine above. Apply hot water with a spray bottle and sponge to any place the border might be loose. Allow the hot water to loosen the border. Keep the area wet. Peel slowly and re-wet. Might be tedious.

Leisa Yeager · Answer

Dif or fabric softener Downy and hot water spray walk away for 10-15 min scrape off...easy done it so many x

Pam · Answer

Just to let you know... If your boarder has been up for a very long time you will have a color difference once that you remove the boarder. If you were the person that put up the wall covering you would re member if you went right to the ceiling with the wallpaper. I personally do not if I am going to put up a boarder. I usually leave 3 inches or half of the width of the boarder from the top of the wall. The boarder covers the area to the ceiling wit minimal over lapping. (Helps with adhering) If you were not the person that installed the wallpaper you might run into the gap if you do remove the boarder. If you do decide to remove the boarder you might tear off the top coat of the wallpaper. If you do use a water base it might yes soften the boarder but it might bubble the paper that you do wish to keep.

Joyce · Answer

vinegar and water about half and half 
spray and let sit 
respray the vinegar breaks down the glue

Debra Young · Answer

yes I have done the vinegar and water and it does work , there is a tool you can purchase from a paint store that scores the paper to allow the mixture to soak in , but it is a job that takes time

Cynthia Potts · Answer

Bought a 140 farmhouse 15 years ago. TONS of wallpaper. Used a cotton napkin/cloth and my regular flat clothes iron. Wet the cloth, hot ironed it and the wallpaper came off as I was basically steaming it off. You have control of where the heat goes. You can re-glue areas that become loose if you got to close. We did several rooms both full wall and borders. Quick easy work.

How to remove a wallpaper border

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How to remove a wallpaper border

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