If you have never removed wallpaper, it can be daunting for your first job. If you have just moved into a new room and inherited a wallpaper you don’t like, you can easily replace it with your choice. Learning to remove any wallpaper is easy; you need the right tools and materials to start.
This post will share how to get rid of unwanted or outdated wallpapers to give your room the best look. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned DIYer, you can follow simple steps to make the job easier. We’ll share all the equipment and materials you need to execute the task safely.
Preparations For Removing Wallpaper
Clear the wall and surrounding
You should start by removing items hung on the walls, and you want to ensure that the surrounding is cleared to have enough space for work. You should move the furniture and gather them at the center of the room or bring them out of the room if you can. Cover the floor and other items with a cloth to protect them from getting wet. This is important because you might be using chemical solutions in the process.
Shut Off Electricity
You have to cut power to the room so that you can have a safe environment, and you should also cover all the electrical outlets and switches with tape. It’s best to use painter’s tape for this task as it’s easy to cover your electrical outlets.
Find Out The Type Of Wallpaper And Wall You’re Using
You have to figure out the type of wall and wallpaper you’re using, this is important, or you’ll end up damaging your wall. You should know whether you’re using drywall or plaster walls. Drywalls can be easily damaged if they’re too wet, so you shouldn’t over-soak this type of wall. You should then identify the type of wallpaper you want to remove.
To understand the type of wallpaper you’re using, you should use a knife to scrape some parts of the wallpaper. If you can remove the wallpaper immediately, it means it’s a strippable wallpaper. We can say you’re lucky because you can easily remove this wallpaper. On the other hand, if the wallpaper leaves a paper backing, it means you have peelable wallpaper.
If you find that the wallpaper doesn’t budge, it means it’s the traditional wallpaper, and for that, you need a chemical stripper and water to remove it from the wall. Once you have identified the type of wallpaper, you can figure out the right method to remove it. Below are the instructions to follow for removing different types of wallpapers.
How To Remove A Strippable Wallpaper
Materials required
- Putty Knife.
- Water.
- Soap.
- Rags.
Steps to follow:
- Locate various corners on the wallpaper and then use a putty knife to lift the corner.
- After you have lifted enough to hold with your hand, you continue peeling off the wallpaper. You should pull the paper as close to the wall as possible to avoid tearing the wallpaper.
- If the Wallpaper drips, you should loosen another corner to start peeling again. You should repeat the process for all the walls in the room until you completely remove the wallpaper in the room.
- After removing the wallpaper, it’s time to clean the walls with warm water and soap. This will eliminate any residue left on the wall.
- Let the walls dry before you start painting or begin applying new wallpaper.
How To Remove Traditional Wallpapers
Materials required
- Wallpaper stripper.
- Putty knife/Scraper.
- Paint roller.
- Garden sprayer, or Spray bottle.
- Water.
- Soap.
- Ladder.
- Rubber Gloves.
- Rags.
- Wallpaper scoring tool (Only if necessary).
Steps to follow;
- The first step is to get your wallpaper stripper and then mix it with hot water based on the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
- The mixed solution should then be put into a spray bottle or a garden sprayer.
- You should find a small wall section; ideally, it should be 3×3 feet wide. Then you apply the mixed solution onto this area and let the solution get absorbed for some minutes.
- Use a putty knife to peel off the portion of the wallpaper where you have applied the solution. You have to be careful not to gouge the wall while scraping.
- After removing the wallpaper, you should then move to another portion. You will continue repeating the process until you finish the whole room.
- After removing the wallpaper, you should use water and soap to clean the residue on the wall. If holes and scratches are left on the wall, you should use the spackling paste to fill them. After drying, you should sandpaper to clear protrusions before you apply another wallpaper or paint the room.
- Note: Some wallpapers can be difficult to remove as they might not absorb the solution. If that’s the case, you must score the wall before applying any solution. You need to use a scoring tool over the wall to make overlapping circles.
How To Remove Peelable Wallpapers
Materials required;
- Water.
- Soap.
- Wallpaper stripper.
- Putty knife.
- Spray bottle, paint roller, or garden sprayer.
- Ladder.
- Scoring tool.
- Rubber Gloves.
- Rags.
Steps to follow;
- Peel off the top layer of your wallpaper; you can do this by loosening the corner using a putty knife so that you can remove the paper backing.
- To remove the other layer left behind, you should follow the same steps for removing traditional wallpaper.
- You will mix hot water and a wallpaper stripper, then apply the solution on parts of the wallpaper. After a few minutes, you then scrape the wallpaper. Do this until it’s completely removed from all the walls in the room.
- You can clear the residue left behind with water and soap; if there are holes, use a spackling paste to fill the holes and then use sandpaper to clear protrusions.
- After following the steps, you can paint or apply the new wallpaper.
How To Remove Wallpaper That Refuses To Budge
Some wallpapers are difficult to deal with; no matter what you spray on them, they will still stick to the wall. In such a case, a wallpaper steamer will do the job. Chances are you don’t have one, but you can rent an electric steamer from home improvement stores.
How To Remove Wallpaper With A Steamer
Materials needed;
- Electric steamer (This isn’t your typical small handheld steamer used on clothes, find an electric steamer designed for wallpaper removal. They are easier to work with than the handheld steamer used on clothes).
- Rubber gloves.
- Putty knife.
- Safety goggles.
- Water.
- Soap.
- Scoring tool.
- Rags.
Steps to follow;
- You need to check the directions provided by the manufacturer on how to use the steamer. Generally, you need to add water and then heat up the steamer before you start using it on the wallpaper.
- Wear protective gloves to protect your hands; you should also wear long sleeves to avoid getting burned by hot water drips or steam.
- Point the steamer to the wallpaper to loosen the adhesive; if you’re working with drywall, you shouldn’t go over steam. You want to ensure the steam has penetrated very well into the wallpaper for easy removal.
- Then you begin scraping the wallpaper with a putty knife; use a scoring tool if the steam hasn’t penetrated well in the wallpaper to make tiny holes so that the steam is well absorbed.
- Continue steaming the wallpaper until you have removed all the wallpaper inside the room.
- You should use water and soap to clean the walls if there are residues on the wall. Let the wall dry before you start applying the new wallpaper.
Important Notes
Safety first; make sure to turn off the electricity before you start working on your wallpaper. Removing all outlet covers to allow exposure underneath the wallpaper is also important.
Removing a wallpaper takes time; you must make mental preparations because your patience will be tested. You will end up creating a sticky mess in the room, and you might regret why you begin the job in the first place. We’re not scaring you, but you have to get prepared. There is nothing complicated in changing wallpaper, and it’s doable; you have to prepare yourself. It’s best to do this job during the weekend so that you have enough time to complete the task, especially if you’re removing the wallpaper in multiple rooms.
FAQs
What’s The Easiest Way Of Removing Old Wallpaper?
You should start by creating holes using a scoring tool; this will allow you to soak the paper quickly. After making the holes, spray the wallpaper stripper and allow the paper to soak for at least ten minutes. Then you can start scraping the wallpaper with a knife. This way, your job will be easier, and you can remove any old wallpaper quickly.
How To Remove Wallpaper Without Damaging The Walls?
Mix hot water and your wallpaper stripper (make sure to follow the instructions in the manufacturer’s manual). Make sure to use gloves while applying the hot water to avoid getting burned. Use the solution to soften the wallpaper and the adhesive that is underneath. Doing this will let you scrape the wallpaper easily without damaging the walls. It’s important also not to oversteam; you should start by steaming a small portion of the wallpaper to see how things work.
How To Remove Stubborn Wallpaper Without Using A Steamer?
If you don’t want to use a steamer, you should use liquids formulated specifically to remove wallpapers. This is the most economical way to remove the wallpaper without using any steamer or damaging your walls.
Can You Just Pull Off Wallpapers?
Some wallpapers can be pulled away from the drywall, but they will still leave a backing sheet and adhesive that can only be removed with a steamer or special liquids for removing wallpapers.
How To Remove Wallpaper Glue?
To get a smooth and clean wall, you should mix liquid dish soap, baking soda, and hot water in a bucket. Apply this mix on the glued areas, which will soften the glue and can be easily wiped.
Can Fabric Softener Remove Wallpaper?
Applying fabric softener on the walls can help break the glue stuck to the wall, and the wallpaper can be scraped easily. So yes, a fabric softener helps in removing wallpapers.
What’s The Home Remedy For Removing Wallpaper?
The best inexpensive and chemical-free way home remedy you can use is vinegar. You just need to mix equal parts of warm water and vinegar and put them in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the wallpaper to soak it. After some minutes, you can start scraping with a putty knife.
Can I Use A Hairdryer To Remove Wallpapers?
Some people are using a hairdryer to soften the wallpaper, and the adhesive, and they have reported that it’s effective for them. If you want to use a hairdryer, you must adjust it to its highest setting. You can place it for up to 30 seconds to loosen the wallpaper. Then you can use a putty knife to lift the wallpaper from the wall.
Conclusion
If you have enough time, you don’t need to hire a professional or spend a lot of money when removing your wallpapers. It looks like a daunting task, but if you know the technique and have the right tools, you can accomplish the task and give your room a new look. You need enough time to execute the task, and as mentioned earlier, this can be done over the weekend. Just follow the steps mentioned in this article, and you’ll be able to get rid of any wallpaper in your room.