What is the easiest/fastest/best way to remove wallpaper?
by Susan
+14
What is the easiest/fastest/bed way to remove wallpaper that’s probably been on the walls for somewhere between 25-40 years? Currently have tried DIF wallpaper removal spray, 50/50 mix of white vinegar and hot water applied with a soaked sponge, and WP Chomp wallpaper remover. Very slow going. Using a flat edge scraper/spreader to get raised corners of paper to lift off. Was advised by 2 painters not to use the DIF “tiger” scraper with the sharp prongs as it could damage the walls, which are going to be painted.At this rate, it will be months, if not years, to complete the old wallpaper removal. HELP PLS!! Thanks
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i have removed old wallpaper by spraying the wall with a solution of fabric softener and warm water and then peeling it off.
Hi Susan, you will need a wide plastic scraper and a steamer, once you get the wallpaper softened, you can lift it with the scraper, so you can buy or rent a steamer, they work great for cleaning as well!
I have removed TONS of wallpaper over the years. Score the wall gently, don't press in hard. Rent a steamer (or you can even use a clothes steamer) take your time and and steam a small section at a time and gently use the scraper to remove the paper as the steamer loosens it.
Use a steamer!
A steamer makes life so much easier with old wallpaper. I took painted over wallpaper off of original plaster walls with one. It just takes a little patience and then it lifts right off with a scraper. Have a garbage can hang so the moist glue on the old wallpaper doesn't get stuck to the floor as it dries.
Hi Susan sorry you are having a hard time removing your wall paper. This is a big job so ask friends and family to help if possible. I used hot water and downey. Good luck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXTGKMzKqpk
Susan..You will need to purchase the proper tools such as a paper tiger for rolling over the paper..it makes holes in the paper... purchase a spray liquid, it will loosen the paper so you can use a scraper for removal. If is a lot of work and areas will more than likely be more difficult than others. Wash the entire wall before you paint, if that is what you intend to do, because the glue needs to be removed for a smooth surface. Good luck! Do watch the video as it will help alot!
hometalk has some ideas:
https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=remove%20wallpaper
Hello Susan,
Use a Steamer for the purpose!
Home and Garden DIY Ideas | Hometalk
Have a 100+ year old house. Have dealt with layers and layers of paint over wallpaper over wallpaper over paint right down to the original wallpaper that was applied with glue from hell. Not one seam had opened or shifted from 1910! A wallpaper steamer is the best investment I made! Score the surface with a utility or wallpaper knife. Use a spray bottle of hot water to wet the surface. Lay on the steamer. Use a flat scraper to start peeling away. Keep the surface wet and keep laying on the steamer. When the paper is removed, use hot water and vinegar to remove any residual glue. (PS One room had only one layer of wallpaper. Thought it would be a breeze to remove. But they used some type of epoxy glue to make sure the seams didn't lift! My steamer did the trick. Mind you, the plaster was so hot you couldn't touch it.)
There is a special spray in the home improvement stores that will help you in that process
Home and Garden DIY Ideas | Hometalk
Home and Garden DIY Ideas | Hometalk
Start at a seam. Pick off the top layer until you expose a piece of paper backing. Use a spray bottle of water to wet that. Once it is wet it will release with a 4" wide scraper blade. Do not use the wheels. That is one of the dumbest inventions ever and makes holes in dry wall. Pick off with your fingers what you can to get the under layer of paper wet. Time consuming but the wetter the backing paper is the larger the pieces you can peel off "like a bad sunburn." Don't be in a hurry, let the water do the work. The wetter the better for the backing. Wash walls to remove all remaining glue when done.
STEAMER. You can hire them.