Many of us have decided to take down wallpaper in our homes. For the lucky ones, the right primer was used to put the wallpaper up and taking it down is smooth sailing. But for the majority among us, wallpaper was installed poorly and taking it down seems complicated. Here is a step-by-step guide to strip your walls and get them ready for a new look:
1. Protect Your Space
Before removing the wallpaper, it's important to protect other surfaces in the room from the water and soap that will be used during the process. Be sure to use painter's tape to completely cover trim and moldings. Also, lay some rags on the floor to protect its finish.
2. Start Scraping
In some cases, the wallpaper is already starting to pull free from the walls. Start the process by trying to remove the wallpaper by hand without water. Find the edge and try to scrape it off using a taping knife (the same tool used to patch walls).
3. Spray the Wall
If you begin to feel resistance while scraping the wallpaper on dry, you will have to start using water. Warm water is recommended to loosen the adhesive and make the separation easier. Any generic spray bottle will do, but a vacuum sprayer might speed up the process. In especially tough cases, a steamer is your best bet. Spray generously and let it sit for a few moments.
4. Scrape Some More
After letting the water soak in for a few minutes, resume scraping with your taping knife. Gently peel the wallpaper, either left-to-right or up-to-bottom, depending on what feels easiest. If resistance persists, consider spraying the wall several times. Patience will be necessary to avoid scratching the wall underneath. If you find an extra layer of wallpaper underneath, finish the first layer and then move on to the second. Only one layer can be removed at a time without causing damage.
5. Wash It
Once all the paper has been removed, it is time to clear the wall of any excess primer or paste. Dampen a sponge with water and go over the wall several times. Believe it or not, this is the most important step in the entire process. If residue isn't properly washed off problems will arise when trying to paint or re-paper the walls in the future.
6. Smooth It Out
The tiniest specks of paste can derail the next wall treatment. To combat the problem, apply gel stripper to any lingering patches of paste, then scrape it off the wall to make sure the plaster is as smooth as can be.
7. Refresh It
Once all your hard work is complete, it's time to enjoy choosing a gorgeous new design! Keep things simple with a coat of paint or revamp the space with a creative and inspired wallpaper pattern.
Removing wallpaper can be a challenge, but when done right, you will give way to the next phase of design: beautifying your home!