Getting Rid of that Pesky Wallpaper

​You may have thought you had the best wallpaper that had ever been seen by humans in your bathroom or your living room, but the reality is it’s probably old and outdated. Cleaning up this wallpaper may seem like a difficult and daunting task, but we would like to give you some tips on how to go about dealing with this complicated problem. With just a little effort you can remove your own wallpaper. Or if you so choose to take that weight off your shoulders, we are always available to help.
 
To start with your wallpaper removal job, it’s essential to make sure you have the proper materials for the job. You will need a pressure sprayer, safety glasses, painter’s plastic tarp, hot water, vinegar, fabric softener, screwdriver, 5” wide rigid putty knife, and a garbage can with a liner. The first step you’ll want to take is covering any exposed electrical outlets and flooring to protect them from liquid being used to remove your wallpaper. Secure your plastic on the floor or around electrical outlets with painter’s tape. Don’t remove the electrical outlet covering but leave it on. After completing most of the removal process, you can then remove the covering to remove the remaining wallpaper behind it.
 
The next step in your wallpaper removal process is to pry up your wallpaper. Most wallpaper consists of 2 layers including an outer layer and an inner adhesive layer. The first part in removing the wallpaper is to take your putty knife and peel back the wallpaper. You should be able to begin slowly peeling back the wallpaper. If your wallpaper comes off in sheets, then you’re very fortunate. However, most likely it will come off in small pieces.
 
Hot water solution is generally applied to most wallpaper surfaces that are more water soluble. This allows for the wallpaper to peel off the wall more easily. In addition to that, using a scoring instrument all over the surface of the wall. The scoring tool allows for perforation of the wall and gives the water a greater ability to penetrate it, aiding in the removal process. Be light with your scoring tool to avoid any punctures in the wall that may result.
 
The next step in the removal process is to use your hot water solution. The best solution for removal consists of 3 parts hot water for every 1-part fabric softener. Hot water is the most important ingredient in loosening the wallpaper. Put this mixture in a pressure sprayer and spray the entirety of the walls with its electrical outlets protected. Make safety a top priority by wearing googles to protect your eyes from any splattering that may occur in the process. Keep your large trash bag near you for putting in large pieces for later. Your plastic liner will catch a lot of these pieces and make your job more simplistic later.
 
Step 5 in your wallpaper removal process is to use your power sprayer over a 4-foot wall section. Allow the solution a couple minutes to seep into the wallpaper. Take a corner of the wallpaper with your putting knife and begin to peel it back at the corner. Repeat this process removing more and more wallpaper. Throw large pieces away. Try working on the wallpaper surface while it’s wet and easiest to work with. Focus on the wet pieces, even though some of the wallpaper may have dried by this point. Stay safe by shutting off power to electrical outlets.
 
The last step in your wallpaper ridding journey is to remove the adhesive that’s remaining. Go back over the wall with the hot water solution and scraper to finish off the process. Well moving along use a clean rag to get the remaining residue. Now you can give your wall some paint of your choosing. Check out “How to Remove Wallpaper” by HGTV for more tips and tricks.