How to Prepare a Wall for Wallpaper Removal

Preparing a wall for the removal of wallpaper requires the proper tools. You may try to peel the wallpaper by hand, but typically that will not remove your wallpaper completely. Non-peelable wallpaper requires the use of a wallpaper removal solution. You may purchase the solution at your local department, hardware or specialty store. The remover penetrates the wallpaper and softens its adhesive, allowing for complete removal of your wallpaper.

Things You'll Need

• Wallboard knife
• Putty knife
• Bucket
• Wallpaper scorer
• Sponge
• Wallpaper remover solution
• Water
• Drop cloth

Instructions

1. Cover your floor with a drop cloth to prevent it from getting wet. Add the wallpaper remover solution to hot water as indicated on the solution's packaging.

2. Pierce the wallpaper numerous times with your wallpaper scoring tool. This allows the remover solution to enter and soften the adhesive holding your wallpaper onto your wall. Repeat this step for every wall you are removing wallpaper from.

3. Apply the wallpaper solution to your walls using the sponge. Dip the sponge into the bucket, then rub the sponge over the entire wallpapered wall. Apply the solution generously, allowing an ample amount of solution to soak into the wallpaper adhesive. Allow your solution to soak into the wallpaper according to the manufacturer's directions.

4. Test an area on your wall by finding a loose edge of wallpaper. Try stripping the wallpaper from the wall from the loose edge. You may need to use the wallboard knife to assist you with removing the wallpaper. Hold the wallboard knife vertically against the wall, and gently scrape in an upward motion.

5. Apply another coat of the wallpaper removal solution as indicated in step 3 if the wallpaper is difficult to peel away from the wall, then try to strip the wallpaper again as directed in step 4. Repeat this process until the wallpaper comes off easily.

6. Peel the wallpaper away from the wall with a putty knife. Apply gentle pressure vertically with the knife, moving the blade upwards.

7. Continue removing the wallpaper until all of the wallpaper has been removed from the walls.

8. Rinse your walls with the wallpaper remover solution and sponge to remove adhesive residue. Dip the sponge into the bucket containing the removal solution as indicated in step 3, then apply the solution to the walls.

9. Rinse your walls with clear water and the sponge. Allow the walls to dry completely, which typically takes about 24 hours.

References

• HGTV: How to Remove Wallpaper
• Danny Lipford: Removing Wallpaper
• HomeTime How-To: Removing Wallpaper