Wallpaper Removal

Read this tip to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Wall Cleaning and other Cleaning topics.

How do I remove wallpaper?

Wallpaper Removal

The ease at which the wallpaper comes up depends alot on how it was put on, the kind of wallpaper, and what is underneath it. Get a "paper tiger", it is a small hand tool that puts small cuts and nicks in the paper to let the wallpaper remover penetrate the paper and disolve the paste. To remove wall paper, run over an area with the paper tiger, spray on hot water or adhesive remover, let it sit for a few minutes and then peel and scrape it off. If the wall paper was put directly on bare drywall without painting or sizing underneath, it can be very difficult to remove.

   

Comments

10/12/2006 7:22:11 AM
Maureen said:

I just had to peel 2 large rooms of wallpaper. It is never an easy chore. Rented steamer, not much help. Went on professional wallpaper site, they advised a half mixture of vineger and water. That mixture and LOTS of elbow grease did the job.


10/12/2006 12:16:42 PM
CJ McD said:

I tried a product called DIF. It is a wallpaper removing gel. Just rolled it on; waited 15 minutes, and the paper was ready to come off easily. No mess, no fuss. p.s. --The paper tiger step is a must!


6/21/2007 8:44:21 PM
Drew said:

I have found that if you use 1 part fabric softener and 2 parts hot water that works too, it will have to be scrubbed after.


8/2/2007 8:20:15 AM
LA said:

Liquid Fabric Softner works


3/8/2008 8:30:20 AM
SG said:

I tried paper Tiger and DIF gel on a wallpaper border that the previous owner put on a textured wall. It was a useless effort, but the 50/50 warm water & vinegar did the trick without too much extra effort. Vinegar has become one of my favorite household products despit it's horrible smell.


3/8/2008 3:16:01 PM
CC Wilson said:

We had a really tough project and spent hours and hours making almost no progress with DIF and several other products. A friend recommended a product called Krud Kutter, sold in Home Depot and also online, and possibly elsewhere too. It is marketed as a cleaner/degreaser and found in the cleaner aisle. But it removes wallpaper in a FLASH. It works a thousand times faster and easier than any of the products/solutions that are marketed as wallpaper removers (still a good idea to score the wallpaper, but it will work even if you don't). Don't know why they don't market it for that purpose, because we all waste so much time and money, not to mention blood, sweat and tears, on these other practically useless products that say they will make removing wallpaper easier. We wasted so much time and energy and got nowhere, then it peeled right off with Krud Kutter.


3/11/2008 4:49:57 PM
CONNIE said:

Forget renting or buying ANY tools- inexpensive vinegar & hot water in sprayers, soak one wall at a time- then use Dollar Tree non-stick flippers(pancake/hamberger),will work on all layers and glue!! Have done three homes already!! Now love PAINT!!!


6/25/2009 2:02:13 PM
Suzy said:

Use fabric softener! I put it in a spray bottle and removed 2 layers of 50 year old wallpaper in 1/3 of the time it should have taken!




Name:


URL: (optional)


Comment:


Not finding the advice and tips you need on this Cleaning Tip Site? Request a Tip Now!


Guru Spotlight
Sherril Steele-Carlin