How To Take Out Old Wallpaper

Before you remove old wallpaper, you have to decide if you have removable wallpaper or traditional wallpaper. Traditional wallpaper is the more difficult of the two to remove, and comes in two types: pre-pasted wallpaper and un-pasted wallpaper. Pre-pasted wallpaper has a sticky backing that becomes active when it is damp, while un-pasted wallpaper is applied with a separate adhesive.

Tools and Materials

Bucket
Warm water
White vinegar
Wallpaper removal solution
Scoring tool or wallpaper tiger
Spray bottle
Plastic drop cloths
Putty knife
Sponge
Wallpaper steamer
Safety glasses
Gloves

Step 1: Prepare the room.

Clear the room of all furniture and belongings. Cover the floor with plastic drop cloths to protect it from water and adhesive. Open windows and doors to ventilate the room, and wear safety glasses and gloves to protect yourself from chemicals and debris.

Step 2: Score the wallpaper.

Use a scoring tool or wallpaper tiger to make small holes in the wallpaper. This will help the wallpaper removal solution to penetrate the paper and loosen the adhesive.

Step 3: Apply the wallpaper removal solution.

Mix the wallpaper removal solution according to the manufacturer's instructions. Apply the solution to the wallpaper using a spray bottle or a sponge. Let the solution sit for the amount of time specified by the manufacturer.

Step 4: Remove the wallpaper.

Use a putty knife to gently scrape the wallpaper off the wall. Start at a corner or seam and work your way across the wall. If the wallpaper is difficult to remove, you may need to apply more wallpaper removal solution or use a wallpaper steamer to loosen the adhesive.

Step 5: Clean the wall.

Once the wallpaper has been removed, use a sponge to clean the wall with warm water. If there is any residual adhesive on the wall, you can remove it with a vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 1 part water).

Conclusion

Removing old wallpaper can be a time-consuming and messy task, but it is important to do it properly to ensure that the new wallpaper will adhere properly. By following these steps, you can remove old wallpaper safely and effectively.