How Do You Get Rid of the Glue on the Wall After Removing Wallpaper?

Remove all of the glue to ensure the surface of a wall is smooth for paint or new wallpaper.

Some wallpaper companies manufacture wallpaper with adhesive already applied on the backing, while other wallpaper types require the installer to apply adhesive. Regardless of the type, expect some adhesive to remain on the wall after removing the wallpaper. Although time-consuming, removing the glue is a fairly straightforward job with the proper materials.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy drop cloth
• Rubber gloves
• Wallpaper-removal solvent or vinegar
• Bucket
• Large sponge
• Drywall knife

Instructions

1. Position a heavy drop cloth over the portion of the floor that meets the wall.

2. Mix a wallpaper-removal solvent with the amount of warm water specified by the manufacturer in a bucket. This is a liquid-based product that dissolves the glue and any remaining portions of wallpaper. As an alternative to using a solvent, prepare a mixture with equal parts water and vinegar.

3. Don protective gloves. Immerse a large sponge in the solution, then squeeze the solution out of the sponge until the sponge is damp.

4. Wipe down the wall with the sponge until the glue is saturated with the solution.

5. Allow a few minutes to pass for the solution to dissolve the glue.

6. Rinse the sponge out and wipe down the wall with clean water and the sponge.

7. Continue saturation and rinsing until all but the most stubborn glue spots remain.

8. Remove the remaining glue by scraping it off the wall with a drywall knife.

References

• “Ten Pound Books: Home Repair Guide”; Creative Publishing International; 2007
• “Home Improvement for Dummies”; Gene Hamilton and Katie Hamilton; 1998
• Dummies.com; How to Take Off Wallpaper From Drywall by Soaking and Scraping; Roy Barnhart, et al.