How to Remove Stubborn Wallpaper
Survey the type of wallpaper you need to remove., Lay drop cloths around your floor., Remove trim and/or outlet covers., Remove electronic devices., Put on your work clothes and rubber gloves. , Look for an edge where the wallpaper is peeling., Use...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Survey the type of wallpaper you need to remove.
If it appears uncoated, you are going to get better results with a water-based wallpaper stripper.
If it is coated with vinyl or something similar, you should purchase an enzyme-based stripper. -
Step 2: Lay drop cloths around your floor.
Tape the drop cloths around wooden floor to protect them.
Get a ladder if it extends to the top of the walls or the ceiling. , If wallpaper is beneath them, they will need to be unscrewed and set aside so that you can remove all the sections of wallpaper., Disconnect your power to the room, since wallpaper removal requires a lot of water and can pose an electrocution risk.
Work in the daylight for best results. ,, This is the best place to start.
Lift that edge with a paper scraper.
You can use a putty knife or a paper scraper to lift up the edges of the wallpaper.
A paper scraper is less likely to damage the walls.If it comes off easily, your wallpaper can be dry-stripped.
Don’t add water, gel or steam unless you have to. , Move it across the entire surface of the wallpaper.
The small holes will allow water to penetrate the surface and loosen the glue. , Pour it into a spray bottle.
Spray it on a small area or apply it with a paint roller.
Replace the bottle with a hot water mixture when it starts to cool.
The aim should be to keep a minimal amount of very hot water seeping through the holes made by the scouring tool.
This will minimize water damage to your wall.
Use a store-bought enzymatic, gel wallpaper stripper if the wallpaper is coated.
Use a gel stripper for best results. , Only spray what you think you can remove in 15 minutes. , It should soak in a little before you start. ,, If your wallpaper has been painted over, you should skip directly to this step. , Scrape it with a wallpaper razor scraper, while you move the hot plate to an adjoining section to soften the glue.
Repeat until the paper is removed. , Allow the stripper to set in for 15 to 20 minutes before you start to scrape.
Clean the wall immediately after you remove a section of wallpaper entirely.
Use extra gel stripper to remove stubborn paste. , They might have glued the area down with white school glue. , Make it the hottest water you can handle.
Wear rubber gloves to apply it.
If the water cools before you finish the project, replace it with hot water. , Wring it out lightly.
Place it over the glue and allow the water to set and penetrate the paper and glue. , Wipe the paper and glue away with a scouring pad.
Scrub well., Repeat until the Elmer’s glue is scrubbed off the wall.
You may need to fill the area with putty before painting if damage is caused to the wall. -
Step 3: Remove trim and/or outlet covers.
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Step 4: Remove electronic devices.
-
Step 5: Put on your work clothes and rubber gloves.
-
Step 6: Look for an edge where the wallpaper is peeling.
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Step 7: Use a wallpaper-scouring tool to puncture the wallpaper.
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Step 8: Mix a solution of one part hot water with one part fabric softener.
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Step 9: Work on a small area of the wallpaper at once
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Step 10: so that the solution doesn’t start to dry.
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Step 11: Let the solution sit on the paper for five to 10 minutes.
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Step 12: Pull from bottom to top
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Step 13: loosening edges with a paper scraper.
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Step 14: Purchase or rent a wallpaper steamer if you aren’t ready to give up on water-based methods and move on to chemicals just yet.
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Step 15: Steam a small area of the wall.
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Step 16: Opt to replace your water-based stripper with a gel-based stripper if it is not working to remove the stubborn wallpaper.
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Step 17: Consider that the person who installed the wallpaper did not use traditional wallpaper paste.
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Step 18: Fill a bucket with hot water.
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Step 19: Soak a washcloth in the hot water.
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Step 20: Remove it before it cools.
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Step 21: Rinse the scouring pad.
Detailed Guide
If it appears uncoated, you are going to get better results with a water-based wallpaper stripper.
If it is coated with vinyl or something similar, you should purchase an enzyme-based stripper.
Tape the drop cloths around wooden floor to protect them.
Get a ladder if it extends to the top of the walls or the ceiling. , If wallpaper is beneath them, they will need to be unscrewed and set aside so that you can remove all the sections of wallpaper., Disconnect your power to the room, since wallpaper removal requires a lot of water and can pose an electrocution risk.
Work in the daylight for best results. ,, This is the best place to start.
Lift that edge with a paper scraper.
You can use a putty knife or a paper scraper to lift up the edges of the wallpaper.
A paper scraper is less likely to damage the walls.If it comes off easily, your wallpaper can be dry-stripped.
Don’t add water, gel or steam unless you have to. , Move it across the entire surface of the wallpaper.
The small holes will allow water to penetrate the surface and loosen the glue. , Pour it into a spray bottle.
Spray it on a small area or apply it with a paint roller.
Replace the bottle with a hot water mixture when it starts to cool.
The aim should be to keep a minimal amount of very hot water seeping through the holes made by the scouring tool.
This will minimize water damage to your wall.
Use a store-bought enzymatic, gel wallpaper stripper if the wallpaper is coated.
Use a gel stripper for best results. , Only spray what you think you can remove in 15 minutes. , It should soak in a little before you start. ,, If your wallpaper has been painted over, you should skip directly to this step. , Scrape it with a wallpaper razor scraper, while you move the hot plate to an adjoining section to soften the glue.
Repeat until the paper is removed. , Allow the stripper to set in for 15 to 20 minutes before you start to scrape.
Clean the wall immediately after you remove a section of wallpaper entirely.
Use extra gel stripper to remove stubborn paste. , They might have glued the area down with white school glue. , Make it the hottest water you can handle.
Wear rubber gloves to apply it.
If the water cools before you finish the project, replace it with hot water. , Wring it out lightly.
Place it over the glue and allow the water to set and penetrate the paper and glue. , Wipe the paper and glue away with a scouring pad.
Scrub well., Repeat until the Elmer’s glue is scrubbed off the wall.
You may need to fill the area with putty before painting if damage is caused to the wall.
About the Author
Teresa Young
Brings years of experience writing about lifestyle and related subjects.
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