How To Perform Wallpaper Removal - written by Annie Deakin

Knowing how to perform wallpaper removal can come in quite handy when the time has come to take off old wallpaper and either put up new wallpaper or some other covering on the wall. Usually, the time for removal occurs during some sort of remodeling job in a room or series of rooms at home. If done correctly, the job can be non-stressful though it can get a little messy in some cases.

The reason for why it can get a little messy is that, in many cases, wallpaper that was put up onto the wall was put onto a surface that was improperly primed and sealed. The glue has soaked in and then will need to be scraped off thoroughly. Modern wallpaper itself usually has two components; paper backing that has glue on one side and a vinyl covering it is made to be stripped off eventually.

Before starting on the job it's always a good idea to take a small area and test it to see if the wallpaper can be peeled off. If it is able to be, it will only be a matter of scraping the glue backing off the wall and the job will be fairly easy to accomplish. There are other styles wallpaper, though, that are older or are more difficult to strip off. In this case, a slightly different technique is needed.

When it comes to wallpaper that is strippable, there will be certain tools and a solution for removal of the wallpaper that will be required in order to get the glue backing and the paper holding the glue backing off of the wall after the covering has been stripped. Usually, some hot water, a sponge and a putty knife at least 6 inches in width will be needed. Use a sponge and hot water to soften the glue.

Once the wall has been softened with hot water start scraping off the glue and any remaining paper with the putty knife. Try to get up as much of the residue as possible before proceeding to spraying on the removal solution. You can create one by combining a gallon of water with a cup of white vinegar. It's more formally known as a neutralizing solution and is usually all that's needed.

If you don't have strippable wallpaper the job may be a little more involved and you'll need a few other things in order to get started. Head to home improvement store and obtain a commercially-available removal solution and then modify it by adding in baking soda and fabric softener at a certain ratio. The solution works very well to get up any glue and paper backing.

Combine 2 tablespoons of baking soda and a quarter cup of fabric softener and one bottle of removal solution to 3 gallons of hot water. The removal solution should be composed of reactive enzymes. Use many of the same tools plus a paint roller or garden sprayer and a perforation tool so you can begin peeling off the paper.

Using the garden sprayer or paint roller, start covering the wall thoroughly with the removal solution so that it is soaked. Begin at the bottom of the wall and spray upwards. Let it all sit for about 15 minutes and then start scraping it all off with the painting spatula. You can use the same vinegar and water solution to lift up any other glue and then let the wall sit overnight before recovering.