Removing wallpaper can be a messy affair, but there is a way to remove them cleanly. With the proper tools, you’ll be able to take it off minus the hair pulling.
Required Tools and Materials
Towels and drop cloth
Garbage bags (for disposing the wallpaper)
Warm water
4 inch putty knife
Paint roller tray or bucket
Chemical wallpaper remover (can be purchased in home improvement stores)
Utility knife or wallpaper scoring tool
Tarps
80 grit sandpaper
Primer
Water and TSP solution
Remove everything hanging on the wall. This includes the receptacle plates and the switches. Move the furniture aside so you have plenty of room to work with. Cover them with tarps or plastic.
Step 2
Take the putty knife and pry a corner wallpaper seam. Hold the seam. Pull it back at an angle of 45 degrees. If it pulls off without resistance, this is dry strippable. If that’s the case, just keep pulling them off. If the wallpaper crumples or sticks, you will have to use water to remove it (step 4).
Step 3
Before removing wallpaper, set the drop cloths all over the floor. Put the towels over them.
Step 4
Use the scoring tool to score the wallpaper. Wet a part of the wallpaper using a sponge. You can also dip a paint roller in warm water. You can also combine a chemical wallpaper remover with water. Allow the moisture to be absorbed. Now you can peel the wallpaper off.
Step 5
Take off the wallpaper, beginning at the seam. As with the dry strippable, peel it at a 45 degree angle. Insert the putty knife under the wallpaper and lift it up.
Getting Rid of Stubborn Wallpaper
Some wallpapers can be difficult to remove. A lot of glue may have been applied. Or it could be set on the wall for a long time. In this case, you will have to wet the wall several times. This will loosen the glue.
If one section remains hard to remove, just go to another one. If wetting the area does not work, use an 80 grit sandpaper. Paint it with primer afterwards.
After the wallpaper has been taken off, let the wall dry. Next, wash it with the TSP and water solution. This will get rid of any glue residues left on the wall.
Before removing wallpaper, keep in mind that it will take some time. You will need to spend at least a whole day on it. For larger rooms, it may take even longer.
