Wallpaper (wallpaper) tends to be difficult to remove. The length of time the decorative paper remains on the wall and the type of application used will affect how long and effort it takes to remove it. This article provides instructions on how to remove wallpaper from the wall using a hair dryer, spraying it with a special liquid, using a scraper, or using a steamer.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Hair Dryer Method
Step 1. Heat the wallpaper
Turn on the hairdryer and set it to the highest number. Blow hot air into the corners and edges of the wallpaper. Heat the wallpaper for about 30 seconds. The heat from the hairdryer will loosen the adhesive used to attach the wallpaper to the wall.
Step 2. Loosen the edges of the wallpaper
Use your fingernail or the tip of a knife to lift the edges of the wallpaper and gently peel it off. If the edges of the decorative paper have become loose, continue peeling them off.
Step 3. Continue heating and peeling the wallpaper
Keep the hairdryer on the part of the wallpaper that hasn't peeled off and gently peel it off. Continue all the way to the bottom of the decorative paper, heat it up and peel it off gently until all the pieces are removed from the wall.
- Do not tear the wallpaper in small pieces. This method will actually make it difficult to peel in the long run, because it will leave thin strips of wallpaper on the walls.
- If the wallpaper remains firmly attached to the wall, don't force it. The hairdryer method doesn't always react well to all types of adhesives. Therefore, you may need to try another strategy.
Method 2 of 3: Spraying and Drying Method
Step 1. Fill the spray bottle with wallpaper peeling solution
There are a variety of different materials you can spray on your wallpaper to loosen the adhesive layer. Choose between the following types:
- Apple cider vinegar and water. This natural solution reacts well to breaking down the adhesive, although it leaves a pungent smell on the walls. Use this solution only if your wallpaper is coating a painted wall, not as a base coat.
- Fabric softener and water. These solutions are relatively inexpensive and effective, but you may not want to use chemicals on your walls.
- Factory made wallpaper peeler. You can purchase a wallpaper peeling solution from a hardware store to use on your walls.
- Warm water. When all existing materials and methods do not give good results, water can usually be the solution.
Step 2. Use the perforator to cut the wallpaper
This tool is especially important if the decorative paper you are attaching is made of vinyl. If you don't cut it, the peeling solution won't be able to seep into it. Scrape with a perforator for a few minutes until the surface of the vinyl sheet is full of small holes.
- Make sure that the tool you are using is made of plastic, not metal. Metal perforators can damage the underlying wall layer.
- If you don't have a perforator, use a plastic knife to make criss-crossing incisions on the decorative paper surface.
Step 3. Saturate the wallpaper with the solution
Spray the solution on all parts, the corners and also the center. Don't skimp on the solution you use, as the wallpaper must be completely wet for the adhesive to begin to loosen. Let the solution sit for about 15 minutes before moving on to the next step.
Step 4. Start scraping
Use a plastic scraper (similar to an ice scraper) to scrape and remove the wallpaper from the wall, starting at the edges. Use one hand to scrape and the other hand to peel. Do the scraping and peeling on the entire surface of the decorative paper.
- If you come to an area that is difficult to handle, flush the area with the solution. Let it sit for about five minutes before continuing.
- Do not tear the wallpaper; because it will leave small pieces that are even more difficult to remove.
Step 5. Lift the wallpaper and scrape the bottom
You may need to saturate some parts with more solution. Use a scraper to loosen and then gently remove the decorative paper.
Method 3 of 3: Evaporation Method
Step 1. Rent or buy a wallpaper vaporizer
Steamers are inexpensive, so if you plan to release a lot of wallpaper in the future, you may want to have one. However, if you only intend to use it once, consider renting. In a pinch, you can also use a cloth (which has been steamed) as a substitute.
- Evaporation can damage some wall surfaces and should not be applied to wallpaper walls, unless you really plan on removing it completely.
- If you are going to vaporize to remove the wallpaper, first test it on an inconspicuous area.
Step 2. Steam from the bottom up
Run the vaporizer along the surface of the decorative paper to loosen it, starting from the bottom edge to the top edge. Use your hand that is not holding the vaporizer to remove any loose, steamed wallpaper.
Step 3. Remove the paper layer
Continue to steam the wallpaper then gently pull it off the wall surface. Use a scraper to help loosen it, until you can remove the entire wallpaper. It should be very easy after evaporation.
Step 4. Remove the adhesive from the wall surface
Make sure that there are no traces of wallpaper and adhesive material left on the walls, as any residual adhesive can damage any new paint or wallpaper you are working on later.
Tips
- If possible, peel the wallpaper off without wetting it. If the decorative paper has been adhering to another wallpaper-rather than directly on the wall-it hasn't been that long, or it's been relatively recently installed, you'll probably be able to remove it without too much trouble. Most wallpapers currently on sale have a better peel-and-stick application than wet application and are also easier to peel off than older decorative papers.
- Allow the wall surface to dry completely before applying new paint or wallpaper.
- Clean the walls using a mixture of ammonia and hot water once you have completely removed the wallpaper. Ammonia is very helpful in removing residual adhesive/glue.
