Removing Wallpaper

Request: Removing Wallpaper

How do I easily remove wallpaper border?

By Janet from Valdosta, GA

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RE: Removing Wallpaper

I fill a spray bottle half full of warm water and fill the rest of the way with a cheap brand of fabric softener. Spray on paper in sheets, leave on 15-20 minutes, it will pull off the entire sheet of paper. If you have vinyl coated paper you will need to slice through at intervals and then spray so the liquid can seep to the back. Good luck. (06/09/2010)

By yoder178

RE: Removing Wallpaper

I have used warm water and white vinegar, measured half and half in a spray bottle. I put down a drop cloth and simply sprayed the wall, let it set about 5 minutes. I'd get a corner at the top and it pulled off in one piece. I kept the paper and when it was dry again, I recycled it.

My kitchen cabinets had an insert in the door instead of a full panel. I took the insert out wet the wall paper and put it on it with a wet rag. I then put the insert back, tacked it back up with small tacks. I had "new" refaced cabinets! My friends all loved the idea! (06/09/2010)

By Shelyn

RE: Removing Wallpaper

I just removed a border that has been up for 9 years. I used a spray bottle of 50/50 vinegar and warm water with a little bit of Dawn dish soap and it worked great! (11/04/2010)

By ffshoe

Request: Removing Wallpaper

I could use some advice for removing wallpaper.

By waitress from Brick, NJ

Feedback:

RE: Removing Wallpaper

I had to remove a wallpaper border once. You can go to the hardware store and buy a "special" scoring device to cut into the wallpaper or just use an Exacto knife (just be sure not to gouge into the wall). Mix 30% vinegar and 70% water in a spray bottle and spray on scored wallpaper. Let soak a while and scrape off. (03/09/2010)

By Jeannie B

RE: Removing Wallpaper

I've only recently found out about the scoring tool, but it looks like a great invention. I have always started at a seam and using a sponge wetted with warm water and really soaked the paper. I have always used a plastic knife to get in-between the paper and the wall, as I think it's safer for the wall and me! When there's residue left on the wall, re-wet the area and gently scrape it with the knife. Good luck. It's not as daunting as it seems. (03/09/2010)

By tahloolabelle

RE: Removing Wallpaper

If it is the wallpaper that you wet and apply, then you can pull off the top layer and there should be a second layer. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and spray this layer, really soak it. Do a large area and by the time you have wet the area, the first part will be ready to remove. Just use a plastic scraper (I use a pancake flipper) and it will peel right off. Then get a pail of water with TSP to remove the gluey film. It the wallpaper was put up with paste, you will need to get some wallpaper remover. (03/12/2010)

By PICO

Request: Removing Wallpaper

When using fabric softener for stripping wallpaper, what are the portions?

By Sdunn1947 from Cincinnati, OH

Request: Removing Wallpaper

We need information on an easy way to remove wallpaper. Also, after removing some wallpaper, part of the sheet rock came off with the paper. We have other wallpaper to remove and don't want this to happen again. Do you have any suggestions for repairing the sheet rock that was damaged? We want to paint instead of wallpapering this time.

Billie from Sharpsburg, GA

Feedback:

RE: Removing Wallpaper

If the wallpaper doesn't come off easily after being sprayed with water and the sheet rock is coming off, then the sheet rock was not primed or painted before the wallpaper was put on. If that is the case there is no easy way not to remove it and not pull off some of the sheet rock. To patch the holes you have made, go to your local hardware store and buy some drywall mud and a scraper. Explain your problem to them and they will explain to you how to apply and scrape it. (03/22/2009)

By PICO

Request: Removing Wallpaper

I am decorating my bathroom and would like to know if wallpaper border is hard to remove? I live in a rental house and I guess I will have to remove it eventually. I have never put up wallpaper before. Any advice will help.

Onesummer

Answers:

RE: Removing Wallpaper

Here's something I've done when living in rentals. Put the border up by stapling it into the wall with a regular paper stapler. When it's time to move, the holes in the wall from the removed paper are barely visible and can be easily touched up with a little spackle or paint. If the border is to be used high up on the wall -- even better! Plus you can save the border for your own home. (06/26/2007)

By Ginger

RE: Removing Wallpaper

I saw on Trading Spaces someone used a bottle of water with Dawn dishsoap in it. I don't know the measurements, but it came off quickly and easily! (06/27/2007)

By jillian357

RE: Removing Wallpaper

I used Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleansers and it worked great, tried the generic/store brand, did not do as well. Mona from Alabama (06/28/2007)

By monalisa

RE: Removing Wallpaper

I have read a number of helpful hints books and newsletters on this topic and all of them recommend using half water, half vinegar. You can put some on a sponge, hold it on the wallpaper spot or you can put cloths down on the floor and spray the wall (in larger areas) with that mixture. Let it sit for a few minutes and then start peeling the wallpaper off. When we did it in our home years ago, we rented a steamer to get it off, but I've heard that this works just as well. (06/28/2007)

By Julia in Richmond VA

RE: Removing Wallpaper

I used a spray bottle of water. I'd pull until I hit a sticky spot, saturated it with water, and waited a few minutes (5-10). I'd then come back and it peeled off without a hitch! (06/29/2007)

By Kelly

RE: Removing Wallpaper

Buy DIF at any local store and score the area to be removed. Then spray on the DIF and wait 15-20 minutes. Then you just scrape the paper off. (10/30/2007)

By Bobbi

RE: Removing Wallpaper

I peeled the top layer of the wallpaper off first and then soaked the underlayer of the wallpaper with water, wiping it on with a washcloth, and it worked great. The underlayer will peel off or can be easily scraped off with a putty knife. (10/04/2008)

By Kelly

RE: Removing Wallpaper

I discovered that an easy way to remove the vinyl wallpaper on a painted wall is to peel off what you can and then spray the paper that's left stuck to the wall with soapy water in a spray bottle. Let it sit for a minute and it peels right off. (10/24/2008)

By Holly

Request: Removing Wallpaper

I have some wallpaper borders to remove from walls and when i try to just peel it off it leaves a lot of paper residue. Anyone know how to remove this without taking the paint off the wall?

Thanks!
Wendy from VA

Answers:

RE: Removing Wallpaper

Home stores sell a gadget called a paper tiger. It scores the paper at the correct depth. Warm water from a spritz bottle will do the rest of the work. It will come off in two separate layers... the patterned part first. Spritz again and let it sit a bit and the backing will come of just as easily. The backing does not need to be scored. I've been using this method for 20 years and never have had a problem or used pricey removers. Do NOT apply a lot of pressure using the paper tiger. (09/19/2006)

By Annie

RE: Removing Wallpaper

I used both vinegar and fabric softener on the same room. I found that the fabric softener worked better. (01/22/2007)

By Alisa from FL

Request: Removing Wallpaper

I know this has been on Thrifty Tips but didn't know that I would need them. What is the easiest way to remove wallpaper from a bathroom wall?

Thanks for all the help I can get!
Jo from Cookeville, TN

Answers:

RE: Removing Wallpaper

In one of the replies for removing wallpaper it states: Score it first. What does this mean? Thank you. Candy from Boston (b)Editor's Note: Scoring means to cut it with a craft knife or you could even use a sewing marking wheet. By putting some holes in it, the water, fabric softener or whatever you are using to remove it, has a chance to get under the paper.(/b) (02/25/2006)

By Candy

RE: Removing Wallpaper

Spray with mixture of half and half water and fabric softener. (08/25/2006)

By sweepups

Request: Removing Wallpaper

Request:

I have heard that taking off wallpaper can be done easily with fabric softener but I do not know the proportions of Fabric Softner and water. Any ideas?

Eileen Powderly

Answers:

RE: Removing Wallpaper
Christina (Guest Post)(/font)

I used pure fabric softener to remove borders in my new kitchen, and it seemed to work well, but then the next day it didn't work in the livingroom. Uhhh. It took me about half an hour to do about two feet.
I'll have to try the mxture with hot water, if that doesn't work then i will try the vinegar

RE: Removing Wallpaper
Post by(/font) (userlink:thr484095)lorilwayne(/userlink)

The measurements for the request are 1 capful of Downy to 1 quart of water. Saturate the wallpaper and allow to sit for 20 minutes then remove. It will only take off 1 layer at a time but from what I've read that this is as good as what the other strippers will do. I removed some wallpaper border using this and it seems to work well.

RE: Removing Wallpaper
Elizabeth (Guest Post)(/font)

I've used hot water and fabric softener mixed in a spray bottle to remove wallpaper. Just spray it on let it soak a minute and it peels right off!

Loosening Wallpaper for Removal

To loosen wallpaper to remove it just use a mixture of hot water and white vinegar applied to the paper to take it off. For speed, dip a roller in the hot water and vinegar and roll it on. Paper comes right off!

By Robin

Wallpaper Stripping: Removing Wallpaper

An easy way to strip wallpaper is to score it first, and then use a spritzer bottle filled with fabric softener, spray the wall. After removing as much vinyl as possible, re-spray and the layer of glue/adhesive will strip right off. Not only is it much easier, your room will smell great, and your hands will be so soft.

Jill from NY