Removing wallpaper can take a long time, but it's still possible! Be prepared to spend an entire weekend working on this project, and don't feel stressed if it turns out that it's taking you longer than expected. Prepare the room before you act so that objects and baseboards (boards installed at the junction between the wall and the floor) are not damaged by water. Depending on the type of wallpaper you're working with (whether it's water-resistant or easy-to-peel), you may need to spend a lot of time removing it. Once the wallpaper has been removed, you'll need to remove any paste or glue that was underneath. After that, you can prepare the walls to start your next project!
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing the Room
Step 1. Remove the decor and furniture in the room you will be working on
The wallpaper that comes off the walls will create a lot of dirt and dust, so you'll have to get everything out of the room. That way, you don't have to clean up photos, paintings, decorations, and furniture later.
If the furniture is too heavy to move, cover the entire piece with a plastic sheet or drop cloth
Step 2. Remove all the ornaments attached to the wall
Light fixtures, light switch covers, wall outlet covers, vents, ventilation grilles, and anything else attached to the wall must be removed. Use a screwdriver and store all screws and hardware in a ziploc plastic bag so nothing is lost.
The area under the ornament is sometimes the best to start peeling off the wallpaper
Step 3. Protect the floor and trim by covering it with a plastic sheet
Use tape to attach the plastic to the top of the baseboard in the room you're working with. Lay another sheet of plastic on the floor so that nothing is exposed.
- The water will run down when you spray it on the wall. Don't let anything get damaged in the water.
- You can cover the floor with a drop cloth, but use plastic to protect the baseboard.
Step 4. Turn off the electricity going to the room you are handling
This is to avoid short circuits and problems if any water gets into the outlet. Place spotlights piped in from another room and use an extension cord outlet so you can place the light in the area being treated.
To turn off the power, look for an electrical panel (usually placed in the basement or wall cabinet). Turn off the power line in the direction of the room you are working in. You may have to test a few channels first to find the right one (if there are no markers on the channel)
Part 2 of 4: Peeling, Spraying and Scraping Wallpaper
Step 1. Check the wallpaper for the materials used
In some cases, you can remove the wallpaper without having to use any product. Use a gauze (puff to apply putty) to loosen the edges of the wallpaper. If you can peel it off easily and there is no backing on the wall, the wallpaper is strippable. If any backing remains on the wall or the wallpaper remains firmly attached, you will need to use water to help remove it.
Some wallpaper is very difficult to remove, and even requires a steamer to peel it off. However, try using hot water first before renting a steamer
Step 2. Start peeling off the wallpaper at the corner or near the switch plate
If necessary, use a cloth to pry off the wallpaper, but try not to pick up the plaster or gypsum. Remove as much wallpaper as possible by hand to expose the existing backing.
By peeling off the top layer of wallpaper first and exposing the backing, it will be easier for water to be absorbed by the backing. In theory, this could speed up the peeling process
Step 3. Make a hole in the wallpaper if it's still hard to peel off
Every now and then, maybe you will find wallpaper that is firmly attached and difficult to peel off from the backing. If this is the case, use a scoring tool to make lots of small holes in the surface of the paper to allow water to seep deep into the paper. Run this tool on the wallpaper with light pressure.
- This step is perfect for waterproof, glossy, or vinyl wallpaper. Keep in mind that if you can peel off the top layer of wallpaper, you won't have to perforate the backing of the wallpaper.
- The punch tool can punch hundreds of tiny holes into wallpaper quickly. You can buy it at a home supply store or the internet for no more than $10.
Step 4. Put hot water in a clean spray bottle or bowl
You can choose a bowl or spray bottle as desired. A spray bottle can cover a large area quickly, but a sponge dipped in a bowl of hot water can wet the backing better.
The hotter the water, the more effective it is at removing wallpaper
Tip:
Some people believe that a mixture of vinegar and water can be used to remove wallpaper. Try mixing equal proportions of hot water and white vinegar, then spray it on the wallpaper and backing you want to remove.
Step 5. Wet the backing with water until soft
It doesn't matter if there is still some wallpaper that hasn't been lost. Spray the area too. The backing is soft if you can scrape it off with your fingernail or a cloth.
When working with cement walls, don't worry about the amount of water used. This type of wall can hold large amounts of liquid. However, if you are handling gypsum (drywall), only use water as needed. Gypsum that is wet in water for more than 15 minutes can make it permanently damaged
Step 6. Use a cloth to scrape the wallpaper and backing off the wall
Hold the blade at a 45-degree angle, and keep the blade against the wall to prevent the wall from prying out. Take some time, and re-wet the walls while moving the cloth to make it easier for you to run.
- You can also use a metal spatula to do this. The more flexible the tool used, the less likely the wall will be scratched.
- If there is a second layer under the first layer of wallpaper, focus on removing the top layer thoroughly before you think about a second layer. The bottom layer will come off easily if you have removed the first layer completely.
Step 7. Clean as many walls as needed to remove all of them
Any remaining wallpaper or backing will appear under a fresh coat of paint or wallpaper. Also, you'll need to clean everything so that the glue underneath can be removed.
If you wish, you can rest and leave the room. Nothing will be damaged if you delay this process because you are not using any chemicals
Part 3 of 4: Cleaning Wallpaper Glue
Step 1. Scrape off as much glue as possible using a cloth
The glue layer is under the wallpaper and backing which was originally used to attach the wallpaper. You must remove the glue thoroughly. Otherwise, the glue may dry out and crack when given a fresh coat of paint, causing it to swell and peel. Continue to spray hot water on the glue and scrape it off with a rag.
Wallpaper glue and wallpaper paste are the same thing
Tip:
If the wall feels sticky to the touch even though the wallpaper and backing have been removed, it means that the glue is still there.
Step 2. Apply a gel stripper on the stubborn glue and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes
Water and light rubbing are sometimes not enough to remove the glue. If this is the case, buy an exfoliating gel. Spray this product on the glue and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
Exfoliating gels can be purchased at home supply stores or online, for $10-$15 per bottle
Step 3. Scrape off the wallpaper glue with a cloth
After 15 to 20 minutes, scrape off the wallpaper glue using a cloth. Repeat this process as many times as needed until all the glue is clean.
Wipe the cloth with a damp cloth each time you finish scraping off the glue to increase its effectiveness
Step 4. Remove the peeling gel stuck to the wall by rinsing it with warm water
Once the glue has been removed, dip the sponge in a bowl filled with clean warm water. Squeeze out the excess water so the sponge is damp and not too wet. Wipe the wall from top to bottom, and let it dry on its own.
Use this waiting time to check the wall for any missed areas. If any area of the wall feels sticky, take the time to clean it
Part 4 of 4: Repairing and Preparing the Wall
Step 1. Wait 12 hours after peeling off the wallpaper so you can check your work
Don't go straight to the next step, but pause for a moment. After 12 hours have passed, check the walls for any glue, backing, or wallpaper that is still on.
Step 2. Fill in the nicks and gaps so that the entire wall surface is level
Apply a small amount of putty paste to the end of the cloth and patch it into the hole in the wall. Add enough paste to cover the hole, then stick the end of the cloth against the wall and move it toward the hole at a 45-degree angle.
You can buy putty paste for $5 at a hardware store or online
Warning:
Read the directions on the putty paste package before you use it. These products usually have the same usage method, but the drying time may vary depending on the brand used.
Step 3. Sand the area you patched until the wall is smooth
Choose sandpaper with a grit of 100 or 120. Once the putty paste is completely dry, lightly sand the patched area. This is to even out the raised area and make the patched area smooth.
Do not apply strong pressure when sanding the putty paste. Rub the sandpaper several times back and forth on the patch until it feels smooth to the touch
Step 4. Use a primer to get the walls ready to be painted or given a new layer of wallpaper
Use an acrylic primer if you want to apply a new wallpaper (to make it easier to remove the wallpaper later). Use a regular primer if you want to paint the walls.
Even if the wall behind the wallpaper you just removed has already been painted, you should still coat it again with a base coat before applying a new one (both paint and new wallpaper)
Tips
- You can use a liquid fabric softener without dyes and scents mixed with water to remove wallpaper. Mix water and fabric softener in a 2:1 ratio, and use it as you would normal water. Some people say that fabric softener can make it easier for you to peel off wallpaper.
- If you need to remove wallpaper using a steamer, you should rent it, not buy it. Heat one section of the wall at a time, and ask someone else to peel off the wallpaper. Otherwise, your body may accidentally scald when you evaporate the wallpaper and peel it off yourself at the same time.
