Stripping Wallpaper; Suggestions.

[DawnCt1]

When I removed the wallpaper in the upstairs bathroom, I had put it up. It was prepasted. I pulled on it, it came down. The downstairs, scrubbable wallpaper, I had a wallpaper hanger do. I have a feeling I won't be so lucky. Once I start, I want it down quick. I wouldn't even start it now but its going to rain all week, so why not. What's the best way to start with this stuff. I poked at a little corner and the top comes off and leaves the backing.

 

[bgirldeb]

Ugh- removing wallpaper!

We've used vinegar & water and water and liquid fabric softener, and "wallpaper remover" solution. I think next time, I'll rent a wallpaper steam machine from Home Depot or wherever you can get them.

 

[tw1nsmom]

There's a couple ways to do this.

If the top layer won't come off, then first score the wallpaper. They sell tools for this or you can use the side of a saw to make scratches in the surface. You then can either spray it with a wallpaper remover liquid or spray it with plain water or water with a little vinegar added in. Let it soak in for a while to give the glue a chance to loosen. Begin peeling.

If after you have the top layer off the glue/backing won't come down. Repeat the above process. If the glue is stuck on the wall I would definitely buy a wallpaper removal spray.

I've also used a wallpaper steamer before, but in my experience they're more trouble than they're worth. They can also damage the walls if you're not careful. Other people may have had more positive experiences with them and can advise you about using them.

When we bought our house ten years ago, every room had at least two layers of wallpaper with several layers of paint over them. It was a hellish experience that I would never want to repeat, but the scoring, wetting and peeling was the only thing that worked in the end.

 

[RitaZ.]

Having the top layer off will make your job that much easier. Since you had the installation professionally done, the wallpaper should come off without a lot of effort.

Get a garden sprayer and spray one section with the mixture of your choice. I buy a wallpaper remover that is sold at HD (DIF), but I've heard of people using a mix of vinegar/water or liquid fabric softener/water. Let it soak through, wait a few minutes, then begin scraping. If you're lucky, you won't have to do a lot of scraping. You should be able to pull the remaining layer right off. If you're having trouble, then score that bottom layer and spray again. Cover the floor to prevent slipping and easier clean-up. You will have to remove the glue, that's actually the worst part of the job, IMO.

Good luck!

 

[RitaZ.]

I've also used a wallpaper steamer before, but in my experience they're more trouble than they're worth. They can also damage the walls if you're not careful.

That has been my experience, too. If you apply the steamer to the wall too long, you may damage the drywall. When I used one, some of the primer on the walls bubbled up.

 

[Buckalew11]

I used liquid fabric softener in very warm water after scoring the paper. I also lightly scored that backing when it was left on the wall. It worked like a dream for me.

I hate wallpaper! I will never, ever have another piece of wallpaper in my house. Ever.

(I know, never say never, LOL.)

Have fun, Dawn!

 

[lovesmurfs]

I've had challenges removing wallpaper in my home as well.

As others have suggested, pull off as much as you can, score what's left. There's a gel-like stuff you can buy called DIF which has worked well for me. I used a paint scraper to slough the stuff off (just don't gouge the drywall or plaster -- then you're dealing with spackle and sanding).

 

[TaraPA]

I ditto the replies of OMG I will NEVER strip or hang wallpaper again! It's a never ending chore that never seems to get better, just worse!

Is there any chance you can just put the new wallpaper on top of the old? If it's not textured or peeling, you should be fine. We ended up doing this in 3 rooms in our old house, because the first 3 rooms we stripped were Hellish. You honestly would never know that there was old wallpaper under there!

 

[elizke]

I've tried all methods, and for me, the easiest way is to use a sponge and bucket, soak a large area and wait, peel off the top layer, soak the under layer, and remove. As you move along, there's no waiting since you soak the outer layer of one area while you are working on peeling another, etc. The only downside is the watery mess on the floor, but I still think it's the easiest way.

I've never found a benefit to store-bought solutions, and scoring for me makes the job 10 times harder. You can never get a large piece to peel, which is like a big score when removing wallpaper!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I just removed wallpaper recently. I dreaded doing it, but it wasn't bad at all. I just pulled the top layer off, then took a wet sponge, wiped it down until it got wet through, and then scraped it off. There was a lot of wallpaper in our house at one time. The only real problem we had was in the living room near the fireplace...I think it had baked on over the years.

 

[RadioNate]

uggg - I actually find professional hung wall paper MUCH harder to get off than the hang it yourself prepasted stuff.

Professional hangers use wall paper paste and sizing! I think it took us a year (yes a YEAR) to get all the paper off in the master bedroom at my mom's old house.

Are the walls drywall or plaster? Is there paint on them?

I've had good luck with fabric softener on the bottom layer on painted drywall.

Unfortunately on plaster walls, scrape scrape scrape in little bits seems to be the drill. Then have the wall skim coated, lol.

 

[disney junky]

Last time I took down prepasted that I had installed. Used a scoring tool. They cost under ten bucks at the local Lowes or Home Depot. Puts little holes in the outer surface of the paper which breaks the moisture barrier and allows the water/solution to penetrate, but won't damage your walls. I don't bother much with store bought solution either. Vinegar works fine. A professional painter told me never to use soap because no matter how hard you scrub, it leaves a film which repels paint and paper. As someone else said, once you get the outer layer off, the rest is easy. I enjoyed the experience. Now the border was another story!

 

[tazdev3225]

I am actually doing this right now in my kitchen. I have a bucket of water and a sponge. Wet down a workable area and use a plastic scraper to get started. As the vinyl top layer loosens I pull as much off as I can get then go back and soak it with more water. The paper scrapes right off. I would be very careful with scoring. I have drywall in my house and scoring actually cuts into the drywall which means I'll be going over everything with a fine layer of spackle. It really is going quickly and I honestly think wet, humid weather helps. Good luck.

 

[DawnCt1]

I am almost tempted to leave it for now. What can I say about the wallpaper? Its not heinous! I thought I ha a paint color picked out. I want a sand, and I will find pictures of sandpipers on the beach or something. I found the pictures on line. Found a paint color I liked, and then remembered, this is the bathroom with the beige-ish tile floor, so I now I need to find a sand color that won't clash with beige. I don't want it to look pink. I found a tile, I will take it will me to Home Depot and see what I come up with. Saved from stripping for the moment.

 

[Bren's Mom]

We just removed ugly ducky wall paper from our dining room. We used the method we've used in both of our houses throughout the years...on some VERY stubborn paper. Remove the top layer. Make a mix of 1 part ammonia to 3 parts warm water in a squirt bottle. Generously spray the under layer a section at a time. Wait a few minutes, scrape with a plastic putty spatula. Removes VERY easy. Be sure the room is well ventilated and that you wash the wall thoroughly when done to remove any traces of ammonia.

 

[DawnCt1]

Okay, I am back! I was going to put it off but I managed to get the lawn mowed into between the rain yesterday, went to Homegoods and found two prints by Jacqueline Penney that will do. Not the sandpipers print but two others for $19 each. I found a nickel towel rack and towel loop. I have a tile to take to Home Depot and colors in the pictures so I can pick out paint. I took the pictures down that are in there, cleaned the top of the vanity, took down the curtains and ripped a piece of wall paper off. I am at the point of no return. The backing is going to stay on, so as Rita Z said, get the top off, the rest should come off easier. I will do that before I get out the various solutions. Actually the backing isn't that far off from the color I want to paint it. Maybe I should leave it. No, just kidding.