How to Easily Remove Stubborn Wallpaper

1960's Wallpaper That Was Removed From My Den

                 

                  It goes without saying that we've all been thinking about using this time to tackle some indoor projects. Today, I'm going to show you how to get rid of that tacky wallpaper you've been meaning to take down in TWO different easy ways!

               Unfortunately, we were one of the 'lucky' homeowners to have had a 'peelable' wallpaper installed by the previous homeowner. Previously used to provide stability for the decorative wallpaper this sticky stubborn stuff can prove challenging to remove.

                  Fortunately for you, I have battling this nasty stuff for two years, now. Through lots of research and trial and error... I have finally found come to two different methods of getting rid of wallpaper that I like. Bonus! No need to purchase expensive chemical removers to do it, either.

Method One

Supplies:

 a scoring tool, 

fabric softener (optional), 

hot water,

a bucket, 

 paint rags,

a painter's tool*

**( -- although, these sharp razor blades are capable of carving up your wall if you're not careful, you may prefer to use an extra-firm putty knife.)

For both methods, begin by using your scoring tool to mark up the wallpaper (this will allow for better saturation.) Move the scoring tool in small circular motions across all of the wallpaper, pressing lightly. Don't press the scoring tool against the wall too hard, or you will puncture the wall behind it leaving marks all over your walls.

For this method, fill your bucket with extra hot water and 1/4C of fabric softener (optional, this method will work just fine with plain hot water if you don't have any fabric softener.)

You'll then soak a paint rag in the bucket of water & fabric softener. Any cloth or material you have available will work here if you don't have a paint rag. Cut up old t-shirts would work great for this project.

Next, lay the cloth material against the wallpaper and allow the removal solution to fully saturate the wall. 

Once the wallpaper has been fully saturated you will be able to easily strip the wallpaper off with your painter's tool or putty knife.

When you've finished removing the wallpaper I recommend washing the wall with TSP Soap before painting. You can find TSP Soap at any hardware store.

I love this method because it smells amazing. It is a little messier than the next method but since you may have most of these materials on hand you won't have to go out for supplies. 

I do recommend refilling the bucket when the water becomes cold, hot water works a lot faster for this method.

 Method Two

Supplies:

 a scoring tool,

a steamer,

a painter's tool

For this method, begin by filling your steamer with water following the manufacturer's direction. The steamer pictured here (https://amzn.to/2JVPcAx)*  cost us about $50 and has made removing wallpaper heck of a lot easier. If you have a lot of wallpaper to remove, it's definitely worth the investment.

Once you've finished scoring the walls, your steamer should have had the time to heat up and should be ready to use. Using the largest fitting, like the one pictured above, place the steam directly over your wallpaper. Pressing slightly to seal the steam against the wall. I like to wait for about 30 seconds* and move in large sections. 

Once the steamer has run out of water, and your walls are nice and saturated. Take a break to refill the water in the steamer, get it preheating again. While your steamer is preheating it's time to get to work easily scraping away the saturated wallpaper with your painter's tool.

*This is an amazon affiliate link, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you

 **How long you need to hold the steamer against the wall will depend on what kind of wallpaper you have and what sort of wall is behind it. Check after 30 seconds and continue to hold against the wall if necessary for the wallpaper to become fully saturated. It should have a light sheen to it from being saturated with the water from the steam.

Have fun!
Stay Safe,