Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 5: The preparatory steps
• Method 2 of 5: Remove removable wallpaper
• Method 3 of 5: Remove wallpaper with a peelable top coat
• Method 4 of 5: Remove traditional wallpaper with remover
• Method 5 of 5: Remove traditional wallpaper with steam
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Removing wallpaper can be a hell of a job, but you can simplify the job with the right tools and the right approach. In this article, we will take a detailed look at how to remove different types of wallpaper the right way.

To step

Method 1 of 5: The preparatory steps

1. Cover your carpeting and furniture if you want to protect it. Secure canvases or tarpaulin to the wall with small nails, if desired, but keep in mind that the canvases can still move after fastening. You make it easier for yourself if you move furniture to another room.
2. In the group box, turn off the groups of the relevant room. If you do this work when it is already dark, buy a good construction lamp and a long extension cord.
3. Leave the covers for the outlets and light switches in place, but do tape them off. This prevents water from getting under the cover plates while removing the wallpaper. Even out of power outlets are dangerous if they get wet, they are still a potential source of fire. You can remove the wallpaper below the pictures at the end of the process.
4. Determine what material your walls are made of. That way you know how careful you need to be when removing the wallpaper. Most walls are made of stucco or drywall. Stucco is hard, durable and reasonably water resistant, but a plasterboard is nothing more than plaster that is covered with a thin layer of paper, so it should not get wet. The easiest way to find out what your walls are made of is to tap them in different places; if it sounds hollow, you have drywall. If you are going to remove wallpaper with moisture or steam you have to be careful with drywall.
5. Determine what kind of wallpaper you have. There are many types of wallpaper, but the removal process is easiest if you have removable wallpaper or wallpaper with a peelable top coat. If you are unlucky, there is traditional wallpaper on it. To find out what it is, stick a putty knife at one corner of the wallpaper to loosen the corner and try to pull it off with your hands.
   • If the whole wallpaper can be pulled off in one piece, you have removable wallpaper. In that case, open the champagne.
   • If only the top layer comes off and a papery under layer remains, then you have wallpaper a deductible top layer (for example non-woven wallpaper). That is not as easy to remove as removable wallpaper, but you can still be lucky that you don't have a traditional wallpaper.
   • If you can't get the wallpaper off by hand (or if you just get some thin strips off), then you have traditional wallpaper. Then it often concerns vinyl or fiberglass. You must remove this with a soaking agent or with a steamer.

Method 2 of 5: Remove removable wallpaper

1. Take a corner and untie it. Removable wallpaper can be easily removed and can often be pulled off the wall in one piece.
2. Pull the wallpaper off the wall. If the wallpaper rips, pick another corner and start over.
3. Remove any residue. Clean the wall with water and detergent and pat it dry with a clean towel or cloth.

Method 3 of 5: Remove wallpaper with a peelable top coat

1. Loosen a corner of the top layer. The top layer is often made of vinyl and should come off relatively easily. Once the top layer has been removed, the bottom layer remains. If it tears, start over at a different angle.
2. Let the undercoat soak for a few minutes by applying water. Apply warm water to the papery backing with a rag, sponge or paint roller (for hard to reach areas).
3. Scrape and pull the underlayment off the wall. Use a plastic putty knife to remove the layer.
4. Remove any residue. Clean the wall with water and detergent and pat it dry with a clean towel or cloth.

Method 4 of 5: Remove traditional wallpaper with remover

1. Use a wallpaper perforator to make notches in the wallpaper. If you make holes in the wallpaper, the remover will penetrate better into the wallpaper glue.
   • Some people skip punching because it allows you to make small holes in the paper of the drywall. If the wall is plastered, that's no problem.
   • If you don't want to make holes in the wallpaper, sand it with a vibrating sander with 120 grit sandpaper. Sand just enough to get some color off the wallpaper.
2. Fill a bucket with hot water. Make sure it is as hot as possible, so hot that it is just bearable. Mix in the soaking agent according to the instructions on the package.
   • A solution with vinegar also works well, it is also cheap and non-toxic. Then mix 20 percent vinegar with the water, but if you prefer to use less, you can also try that works first.
   • Another cheap alternative is fabric softener: mix 25 to 50% fabric softener with hot water. It doesn't have to be expensive, but make sure it is unscented.
   • If you keep mixing small amounts, you can keep the water hot.
3. Dip a paint roller in the hot water and detergent mixture. A sponge or a large brush will also work well.
   • A spray bottle can make applying the mixture easier, but it will cool down faster. Weigh the pros and cons.
4. Make sure that one section of the wall at a time is thoroughly wet. Do not apply more of the solution than you think you can remove in 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Let it soak for a few minutes. This way you give the remover time to do its job.
6. Remove the wallpaper. Cut pieces of wallpaper off the wall with a plastic putty knife, one piece at a time.
   • Stitch up. That way it is easier to slide the putty knife between the wallpaper and the wall.
7. Remove any residue. Clean the wall with water and detergent and pat it dry with a clean towel or cloth.

Method 5 of 5: Remove traditional wallpaper with steam

1. Rent a steam device for wallpaper. The steam method is ideal for wallpaper that is difficult to remove.
2. Use a wallpaper perforator to make notches in the wallpaper. Then the steam can penetrate more easily.
   • Some people skip punching because it allows you to make small holes in the paper of the drywall. If the wall is plastered, that's no problem.
3. Steam the wallpaper in sections. Hold the steamer against the wallpaper to soften the glue and loosen the wallpaper. The longer you steam, the easier the wallpaper will come off.
   • Be very careful when using a steamer on a plasterboard wall. The moisture can damage your walls.
   • Hot water will drip from the steamer, so wear work gloves and long sleeves.
4. Scrape the wallpaper off the wall. Use a plastic putty knife or a joint knife.
   • Stitch up. That way it is easier to slide the putty knife between the wallpaper and the wall.
5. Remove any residue. Clean the wall with water and detergent and pat it dry with a clean towel or cloth.

Tips

• Use a plastic spatula (the one you flip a fried egg with) instead of metal scrapers. That way you won't damage plasterboard so quickly.
• Don't worry if your wall gets scratches and pits. You can always sand, plaster, repaint or re-wallpaper it.

Warnings

• The whole process is going to take three times longer than you think. That is inevitable.
• It doesn't matter how careful you are, the old wallpaper will stick to everything.
• Wallpaper and wallpaper glue can contain toxic fungicides. Please dispose of the waste and water you have used according to applicable rules and restrict access to the area while you are working.

Necessities

• Cloths for the ground
• Plastic tools for scraping
• Paint roller or sponges
  • Use a plant spray as an alternative
• Bucket
• Remover for wallpaper
  • Use vinegar or unscented fabric softener as an alternative
• Steam device
• Gloves