How Do I Pull Out the Staples When Reusing an Old Headboard?

Staples are usually located on the back of the headboard.

Staples are used to hold fabric in place over a headboard. Wood staples applied with a staple gun are the most common staples in headboards. If you are reusing an old headboard by painting it or re-covering it with new fabric, you will need to remove the existing fabric by pulling out the staples. Wood staples can be deeply embedded in a headboard, so you will need tools to remove them.

Things You'll Need

• Flat-head screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers

Instructions

1. Turn the headboard over so the back faces you. The staples should be located along the edge of the headboard, holding the fabric or batting in place.

2. Pry up the first staple, using a flat-head screwdriver. Slip the sharp edge of the screwdriver between the wood and the staple, and press down on the handle so the blade of the screwdriver lifts the staple out of the wood.

3. Grasp the lifted staple with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Pull until the staple comes out of the wood completely. Repeat these steps with each staple until they are all removed.