Wallpaper can add a touch of style and personality to any room, but it can also be a pain to remove when you want to update your décor. If you're planning to remove wallpaper, there are a few things you need to know to make the process as easy and painless as possible.
In this article, we'll provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to remove wallpaper, including how to prepare your walls, what tools you'll need, and how to deal with different types of wallpaper. We'll also offer tips on how to make the process go more smoothly and how to avoid common mistakes.
Before you start removing wallpaper, it's important to prepare your walls and gather the necessary tools. This will help you get the job done quickly and efficiently.
how to remove wallpaper
Follow these 8 important points to remove wallpaper easily:
- Prepare your walls
- Gather the right tools
- Score the wallpaper
- Soak the wallpaper
- Scrape off the wallpaper
- Remove stubborn wallpaper
- Clean the walls
- Repair any damage
By following these steps, you can remove wallpaper quickly and easily, leaving your walls clean and ready for a fresh coat of paint or new wallpaper.
Prepare your walls
Before you start removing wallpaper, it's important to prepare your walls. This will help the wallpaper come off more easily and prevent damage to your walls.
The first step is to remove any furniture or fixtures that are attached to the walls. You should also remove any nails, screws, or hooks.
Next, you need to clean the walls with a sugar soap solution. This will help to loosen the adhesive on the wallpaper and make it easier to remove. To make a sugar soap solution, simply mix one tablespoon of sugar soap powder with one liter of warm water. Apply the solution to the walls with a sponge or cloth, and then rinse it off with clean water.
Once the walls are clean, you need to score the wallpaper. This will help the water and wallpaper remover to penetrate the wallpaper and make it easier to remove. To score the wallpaper, use a scoring tool or a sharp knife to make small cuts in the wallpaper, about 1/4 inch deep.
Once you have prepared your walls, you are ready to start removing the wallpaper.
Gather the right tools
Once you have prepared your walls, you need to gather the right tools for the job. Here is a list of essential tools you will need:
- Wallpaper scorer or sharp knife: This is used to score the wallpaper, which helps the water and wallpaper remover to penetrate the wallpaper and make it easier to remove.
- Wallpaper stripper: This is a tool that helps to loosen the adhesive on the wallpaper and make it easier to remove. You can use a handheld wallpaper stripper or a power wallpaper stripper.
- Putty knife or scraper: This is used to scrape off the wallpaper once it has been loosened.
- Bucket or basin: This is used to hold the wallpaper remover solution.
- Sponge or cloth: This is used to apply the wallpaper remover solution to the walls.
- Plastic sheeting or drop cloths: This is used to protect your floors and furniture from the wallpaper remover solution.
- Safety glasses: This is important to protect your eyes from the wallpaper remover solution.
- Gloves: This is important to protect your hands from the wallpaper remover solution.
Once you have gathered all of the necessary tools, you are ready to start removing the wallpaper.
Score the wallpaper
Once you have prepared your walls and gathered the right tools, you need to score the wallpaper. This will help the water and wallpaper remover to penetrate the wallpaper and make it easier to remove.
- Use a scoring tool or sharp knife: You can use a wallpaper scoring tool or a sharp knife to score the wallpaper. Make sure the blade is sharp so that it can easily cut through the wallpaper.
- Make small cuts in the wallpaper: Score the wallpaper by making small cuts, about 1/4 inch deep. The cuts should be spaced about 6 inches apart.
- Score both vertically and horizontally: Score the wallpaper both vertically and horizontally. This will help the water and wallpaper remover to penetrate the wallpaper more easily.
- Be careful not to cut too deep: Be careful not to cut too deep into the wallpaper, as this could damage the drywall underneath.
Once you have scored the wallpaper, you are ready to apply the wallpaper remover solution.
Soak the wallpaper
Once you have scored the wallpaper, you need to soak it with a wallpaper remover solution. This will help to loosen the adhesive on the wallpaper and make it easier to remove.
- Mix the wallpaper remover solution: Follow the instructions on the wallpaper remover package to mix the solution. You can use a bucket or basin to mix the solution.
- Apply the wallpaper remover solution to the walls: Use a sponge or cloth to apply the wallpaper remover solution to the walls. Make sure to apply the solution liberally so that the wallpaper is completely soaked.
- Let the wallpaper remover solution soak in: Allow the wallpaper remover solution to soak in for the amount of time specified on the product label. This is usually between 15 and 30 minutes.
- Reapply the wallpaper remover solution if necessary: If the wallpaper is still difficult to remove after the initial soak time, you can reapply the wallpaper remover solution and let it soak in for a longer period of time.
Once the wallpaper is soaked, you can start scraping it off the walls.
Scrape off the wallpaper
Once the wallpaper is soaked, you can start scraping it off the walls. Here are some tips for scraping off wallpaper:
- Use a putty knife or scraper: Use a putty knife or scraper to scrape off the wallpaper. Make sure the blade is sharp so that it can easily scrape off the wallpaper.
- Start at the edges: Start scraping at the edges of the wallpaper. This will help to loosen the wallpaper and make it easier to remove.
- Scrape in small sections: Scrape the wallpaper in small sections, about 12 inches wide. This will make it easier to control the scraper and avoid tearing the wallpaper.
- Be careful not to damage the drywall: Be careful not to scrape too hard, as this could damage the drywall underneath the wallpaper.
Once you have scraped off all of the wallpaper, you can clean the walls and repair any damage.
Remove stubborn wallpaper
If you encounter stubborn wallpaper that is difficult to remove, there are a few things you can try:
Use a stronger wallpaper remover: You can try using a stronger wallpaper remover solution. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product label carefully.
Use a steamer: You can also use a steamer to help loosen the adhesive on the wallpaper. Hold the steamer against the wallpaper for a few minutes, and then try scraping it off.
Use a heat gun: Another option is to use a heat gun to loosen the adhesive on the wallpaper. Be careful not to hold the heat gun too close to the wallpaper, as this could damage the drywall underneath.
Score the wallpaper again: If the wallpaper is still difficult to remove, you can try scoring it again. This will help the wallpaper remover solution to penetrate the wallpaper more easily.
Once you have removed all of the wallpaper, you can clean the walls and repair any damage.
Clean the walls
Once you have removed all of the wallpaper, you need to clean the walls to remove any remaining adhesive or residue.
Use a sponge or cloth: Use a sponge or cloth dampened with warm water to wipe down the walls. Be sure to rinse the sponge or cloth frequently to avoid spreading the adhesive around.
Use a wallpaper cleaner: You can also use a wallpaper cleaner to help remove any remaining adhesive or residue. Follow the instructions on the product label carefully.
Rinse the walls: Once you have cleaned the walls, rinse them with clean water to remove any soap or cleaner residue. Be sure to dry the walls thoroughly with a clean cloth.
Once the walls are clean and dry, you can repair any damage and paint the walls if desired.
Repair any damage
Once you have cleaned the walls, you need to repair any damage that was caused by removing the wallpaper. This may include holes, tears, or scratches.
Fill holes and tears: You can fill holes and tears in the drywall with spackling compound. Apply the spackling compound with a putty knife and let it dry according to the product label.
Sand the repaired areas: Once the spackling compound is dry, sand the repaired areas until they are smooth. You can use a sanding sponge or sandpaper.
Paint the repaired areas: Once the repaired areas are smooth, you can paint them to match the rest of the wall.
Once you have repaired all of the damage, the walls will be ready to be painted or decorated as desired.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about removing wallpaper:
Question 1: What is the best way to remove wallpaper?
Answer 1: The best way to remove wallpaper is to score it, soak it with a wallpaper remover solution, and then scrape it off with a putty knife or scraper.
Question 2: What kind of wallpaper remover should I use?
Answer 2: There are two main types of wallpaper removers: chemical and natural. Chemical wallpaper removers are more effective, but they can also be more harmful to your health and the environment. Natural wallpaper removers are less effective, but they are also safer.
Question 3: How long should I let the wallpaper remover soak in?
Answer 3: The amount of time you should let the wallpaper remover soak in depends on the type of remover you are using and the type of wallpaper you are removing. Check the product label for specific instructions.
Question 4: What is the best way to scrape off wallpaper?
Answer 4: Use a putty knife or scraper to scrape off the wallpaper. Start at the edges and work your way in. Be careful not to scrape too hard, as this could damage the drywall underneath.
Question 5: How do I remove stubborn wallpaper?
Answer 5: If you encounter stubborn wallpaper that is difficult to remove, you can try using a stronger wallpaper remover, a steamer, or a heat gun.
Question 6: How do I clean the walls after removing wallpaper?
Answer 6: Once you have removed all of the wallpaper, you need to clean the walls to remove any remaining adhesive or residue. You can use a sponge or cloth dampened with warm water or a wallpaper cleaner.
Question 7: How do I repair any damage caused by removing wallpaper?
Answer 7: Once you have cleaned the walls, you need to repair any damage that was caused by removing the wallpaper. This may include holes, tears, or scratches. You can fill holes and tears with spackling compound and sand the repaired areas until they are smooth. You can then paint the repaired areas to match the rest of the wall.
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about removing wallpaper. If you have any other questions, be sure to consult a professional.
Now that you know how to remove wallpaper, here are a few tips to make the process easier:
Tips
Here are a few tips to make removing wallpaper easier:
Tip 1: Prepare your room: Before you start removing wallpaper, remove all furniture and fixtures from the room. Cover the floor with drop cloths or plastic sheeting to protect it from the wallpaper remover solution.
Tip 2: Use the right tools: Make sure you have all the necessary tools before you start removing wallpaper. This includes a wallpaper scorer, a wallpaper stripper, a putty knife or scraper, a bucket or basin, a sponge or cloth, plastic sheeting or drop cloths, safety glasses, and gloves.
Tip 3: Score the wallpaper: Scoring the wallpaper will help the wallpaper remover solution to penetrate the wallpaper and make it easier to remove. Use a wallpaper scorer or a sharp knife to score the wallpaper in both vertical and horizontal lines.
Tip 4: Soak the wallpaper: Apply a wallpaper remover solution to the wallpaper and let it soak in for the amount of time specified on the product label. This will help to loosen the adhesive on the wallpaper and make it easier to remove.
By following these tips, you can make the process of removing wallpaper easier and less time-consuming.
Once you have removed all of the wallpaper, you can clean the walls and repair any damage. You can then paint the walls or decorate them as desired.
Conclusion
Removing wallpaper can be a challenging task, but it is definitely possible to do it yourself with a little preparation and the right tools. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can remove wallpaper quickly and easily, leaving your walls clean and ready for a fresh coat of paint or new wallpaper.
Here are the main points to remember:
- Prepare your room and gather the necessary tools.
- Score the wallpaper to help the wallpaper remover solution penetrate.
- Soak the wallpaper with a wallpaper remover solution to loosen the adhesive.
- Scrape off the wallpaper with a putty knife or scraper.
- Remove stubborn wallpaper with a stronger wallpaper remover, a steamer, or a heat gun.
- Clean the walls to remove any remaining adhesive or residue.
- Repair any damage caused by removing the wallpaper.
With a little patience and effort, you can remove wallpaper and transform your room in no time.