How to Clean the Wall After You Remove Wallpaper & TSP

Remove every trace of grime and residue from previously wallpapered walls.

Wallpaper inevitably curls, fades and becomes tacky over time. Homeowners eventually decide to remove old, outdated wallpaper and replace it with fresh wallpaper, paint, tile or other wall materials. Stripping wallpaper is only part of the job; homeowners can use trisodium phosphate (TSP) to remove wallpaper paste from previously wallpapered walls and provide a smooth surface for the adhesion of paint, new wallpaper and tile. Simple wall-cleaning techniques are still required, however, even after removing wallpaper and using triosodium phosphate.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic drop cloths
• Masking tape
• Liquid, multi-purpose household cleaner
• 2 plastic buckets
• Household sponge
• Soft cloth

Instructions

1. Cover the floor with plastic drop cloths to prevent damaging it. Fasten the drop cloths to the baseboards with masking tape.

2. Prepare a solution of liquid, multi-purpose household cleaner and warm water in a plastic bucket. Read the manufacturer's directions on the bottle's label to learn the amount of cleaner and water to mix.

3. Pour 1 gallon of plain warm water into a second plastic bucket to use as rinse water.

4. Saturate a household sponge in the soapy water. Scrub a 2-foot-wide section of the wall with the soapy sponge, working from the top of the wall downward. Remove all remaining sticky residue, fingerprint smudges, grease and grime from the wall. Frequently rinse the sponge in the rinse water while you clean.

5. Refill the rinsing bucket with fresh warm water. Using a soft cloth, wipe the fresh water over the 2-foot-wide section of the wall. Start at the top of the wall and work down to the baseboard. Thoroughly rinse the wall section.

6. Dispose of the soiled cleaning solution and rinsing water. Refill both buckets with fresh contents.

7. Wash and rinse the remaining 2-foot-wide sections of the wall. Follow the same procedure as before. Don't forget to refill both buckets with fresh solution and rinse water before proceeding to the next section.

8. Allow the entire wall to air-dry for 24 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute liquid dish soap for the liquid, multi-purpose household cleaner.

• Stand on a ladder to clean the wall, if necessary.

References

• The Family Handyman: The Best Way to Remove Wallpaper
• Ask The Builder: Wallpaper Removal
• Home Tips: How to Prepare Interior Walls for Painting