After allowing it a few minutes to absorb, try peeling the panel back at its top left corner. Simply fill a hand or pump sprayer and dampen the first panel thoroughly with hot water. In that case, proceed to the next method outlined below.) (Alternatively, if hot water alone does no good, it could be that you’re looking at water-resistant vinyl.
You’ll work one section at a time, so use your first patch as an opportunity to test whether you’re working on strippable stuff. Strippable paper is more permanent but permeable, meaning that the water can seep through and soften the paste for easy removal when the time comes. Once you have enough of the perimeter lifted to grasp, take the sheet between your fingers to continue removing it. Stand on a ladder and use a putty knife to unstick the top left corner of the wall (likely the first sheet of wallpaper to be installed). As long as the wall beneath the paper was painted in an eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss with a slight sheen-and then properly prepped and cleaned before installation-the paper should release from the wall with a careful pull at any of its seams. If it’s removable wallpaper (also called temporary wallpaper), it was designed to come down easily. Locate a corner of the patterned paper, and give it a tug. You’ll want to ensure that no peeled wallpaper strips or glue residue accidentally touches and sticks to these features as it comes down from the wall. Protect your precious hardwood or plush carpeting with drop cloths (non-slip canvas works best) and cover the baseboards with wide painter’s tape. The scorer will create small tears in the paper (don’t press too hard or you’ll damage your wall), which will allow either water or a wallpaper stripping solution to soften the glue underneath the paper.Photo: Before you begin, cover your floors. To do this, grab yourself a wallpaper scoring tool, and roll the tool over the wallpaper in small sections. This will help you to avoid accidentally gouging your drywall when trying to lift up the paper. Also, consider filing down the edge of your metal putty knife so that it’s a bit more rounded. Tip: Don’t use a plastic putty knife they’re too thick to get under the paper. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to soften the glue before you can strip the paper off. If the paper comes up and peels off easily, you’re in luck! Peel away.
Wallpaper borders are removed in the same way as full panels with the added challenge that most, if not all, of the work takes place from a step stool or ladder.įirst, test a wallpaper seam with the tip of a metal putty knife, taking care not to gouge the drywall with the knife. With a few simple steps, you can have your walls sparkling in about a weekend, give or take depending on your square footage. Wallpaper removal is totally doable, but it does take time, creates a sticky mess (cover those floors and baseboards!), and makes you question what in the world you were thinking at least once.
Things are going to get messy and wet (well, at least damp) on this job, so it's a good idea to turn off the electrical and tape off any outlets that'll be in your path during the work.Īlso, get prepared for your patience to get tested.
You really can remove wallpaper.without losing your mind. No matter the situation, wallpaper can be removed, and we’ve got some quick steps and tips to help guide make wallpaper removal as seamless as possible. And even if you aren't generally a wallpaper hater (there are some seriously cute options, some even removable, now-a-days!), you may not be a fan of the design the previous owners installed in your home. But when it's outdated, clashes with the aesthetic you're hoping for, or isn't in great shape, it can be a disaster. Sometimes wallpaper is just what a home needs to create a grand statement.