Wallpaper can become outdated, discolored, and peel easily. These small inconsistencies can take away from the natural beauty of your home. Removing wallpaper and painting fresh walls can be a great, simple solution but a sometimes-messy one.
To begin with your wallpaper removal, move furniture away from the walls and cover the floor with drop cloths. Begin with an edge or corner to start and try to peel it off using your hands, a wallpaper scraper, or a putty knife. If the paper won’t simply peel off or the pattern comes off but the backing stays there are a few solutions.
First try scoring the paper lightly by using a wallpaper-scoring tool or a razor blade. Be cautions not to cut into the drywall underneath. If this is still unsuccessful, use a commercial wallpaper remover solution, or mix a little bit of laundry detergent with warm water together. Use a spray bottle or sponge to saturate the walls. Wait a few minutes for the paper to absorb the water, and the glue to loosen.
Try again with pulling the paper off with your hands. You may still have to use a scraper or knife though. Once most of the paper is gone, wash away as much of the glue as possible.
When you are down to the original painted or primed wall, you may have to use a heavy-duty scouring pad. Wait overnight for the wall to completely dry and use sandpaper to remove any remains of the paper backing/glue.
Once this is complete, be sure to repair any divots or holes you may have created with the putty knife or scraper. After this is completed, your walls are ready to be re-wallpapered or primed and painted for a beautiful new look.
*As always, this article is written to just help and be used as a base guideline. It spares all the gory details of the mess you will entail with wallpaper pieces. If you have carpet it will take some time getting perfectly clean again. Also, always consult a professional if you are unsure about something. Good Luck!
Tags: adhesive, commercial wallpaper remover, drop-cloth, putty knife, wallpaper, wallpaper scraper
