Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using a hair dryer
• Method 2 of 3: Using an atomizer and a scraper
• Method 3 of 3: Using a steam device
• Tips

Wallpaper borders are known to be difficult to remove. How much time and effort it will take you depends on how long the wallpaper border has been on the wall and the way the wallpaper border is attached to the wall. This article will give you instructions on how to remove a wallpaper border using a hair dryer, an atomizer and a scraper, or a steamer.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using a hair dryer

1. Heat the wallpaper. Set the hair dryer to the highest setting. Plug in the hair dryer and blow hot air on the corner and edge of the wallpaper. Heat the wallpaper for about 30 seconds. The heat from the hair dryer should cause the glue used to stick the wallpaper to come off.
2. Loosen the edge of the wallpaper. Use your fingernail or a knife to push up the edge of the wallpaper and slowly pull it off. If the wallpaper comes off, pull it further and further until it no longer works.
3. Continue to heat and peel off the wallpaper. Hold the hair dryer over the part of the wallpaper border that is still attached and slowly pull it off. Go along the entire wallpaper border, and heat the wallpaper and pull it loose until you have removed the entire wallpaper border from the wall.
   • Do not pull the wallpaper off the wall in strips. This way it will eventually be more difficult to remove the wallpaper border. Thin pieces of wallpaper will remain stuck to the wall.
   • If the wallpaper is stubbornly stuck to the wall, don't force it. The hair dryer method does not work with all types of glue. You may need to use a different method.

Method 2 of 3: Using an atomizer and a scraper

1. Fill an atomizer with a wallpaper remover. There are several means you can use to spray the wallpaper so that the glue comes off. Choose from these options:
   • Apple cider vinegar and water. This natural mixture works well to loosen the glue, but it can leave a smell on the wall. Only use it if your wallpaper covers a layer of paint, and not another layer of wallpaper.
   • Liquid fabric softener and water. This is a cheap and effective remedy, but you may not want to use chemicals on your wall.
   • A specially formulated remover for wallpaper. At hardware stores, you can buy a remover that you can use on your walls.
   • Warm water. When everything else doesn't work, it usually works with plain water.
2. Use a perforating tool or other sharp tool to make notches in the wallpaper border. This is especially important if the wallpaper border is made of vinyl. If you don't cut into the wallpaper, the liquid mixture won't be able to soak in. Scrape the wallpaper edge for several minutes with the perforating tool, until it is covered with hundreds of tiny holes.
   • Make sure to use a perforating tool or some other plastic tool instead of metal. A metal tool could damage the wall under the wallpaper.
   • If you don't have a perforating tool, use a plastic knife to make notches criss-cross the wallpaper edge.
3. Soak the wallpaper border with the mixture. Spray it all over the wallpaper edge: in the corners, at the edges and in the middle. Don't be skimpy with the mixture. The wallpaper must be completely wet, otherwise the glue will not come off. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes before continuing.
4. Start scraping. Use a plastic scraper (similar to an ice scraper) to push up the edge of the wallpaper and scrape it away. Use one hand to scrape and the other hand to peel off the wallpaper. Go along the entire wallpaper edge, and scrape the wallpaper loose and pull it off the wall.
   • If you find a stubborn spot, soak the wallpaper with the mixture. Leave it on for five minutes before continuing.
   • Do not pull the wallpaper off the wall in strips. It will be a lot more difficult to remove the small pieces.
5. Peel off the wallpaper and scrape away the pieces underneath. You may need to soak the remaining pieces with more of the mixture. Use the scraper to scrape them off, then pull them off the wall.

Method 3 of 3: Using a steam device

1. Rent or buy a wallpaper steamer. Wallpaper steamers are not expensive. So if you plan to remove a lot of wallpaper soon, you could choose to buy one. If you only want to use the wallpaper steamer once, consider renting one. You could also use a clothes steamer otherwise.
   • Steaming can damage some types of walls. Do not use the steamer on walls with wallpaper, unless you want to remove the wallpaper as well.
   • If you are going to try to steam the wallpaper edge of the wall, first test the steam device in an inconspicuous place.
2. Start at the bottom and then work your way up. Run the wallpaper steamer over the wallpaper edge to loosen it and work from the bottom edge to the top edge. Use your free hand to pull the wallpaper edge off the wall while the appliance steams the edge off.
3. Remove the wallpaper border. Continue to steam the rim and pull it off. Use the scraper to loosen the wallpaper. Continue like this until you can remove the entire wallpaper border. The edge should come off the wall easily after using the steamer.
4. Remove the adhesive residue from the wall. Make sure that all wallpaper and glue residue is gone. Adhesive residue can ruin the new paint or wallpaper layer.

Tips

• If possible, pull the wallpaper edge off the wall without getting it wet. If the wallpaper border is on a wall with wallpaper, has not been on the wall for long, or is fairly new, then you should be able to pull the border off the wall without too much trouble. Most wallpaper borders sold today are made in such a way that they can be easily applied and removed without having to get wet. These wallpaper borders are easier to peel off than older borders.
• Allow the surface to dry thoroughly before applying primer, paint or a new wallpaper border.
• Clean the wall with a mixture of ammonia and hot water after you have completely removed the wallpaper border. The ammonia will help remove any adhesive residue.