Removing Your Old Wallpaper

Photo credit by Holly Hop

What were you thinking way back then?

That wallpaper covered with a purple version of what seems to be paisley squiggles was once cool, well at least it was in the 70’s. Now it’s just…regrettable! Definitely time for a change! To remove that old wallpaper, follow these very simple steps:

1.                   As much as is practical, cover the floor and furniture with drop cloths, old sheets or discarded blankets. It’s a good idea to move the furniture into the centre of the room to make it easier to cover and move around the walls.

2.                   Start in any corner and try to peel the wallpaper off with your hands. Use a putty knife or a wallpaper scraper (you can actually BUY such a thing!). Pray that your wallpaper is the easy-peeling kind!

3.                   If the paper doesn’t peel off or if peeling the paper leaves behind its backing, it’s time to get out the serious tools – razor blades. Be really careful not to cut into the drywall underneath though or you will have a lot of filling to do.

4.                   The next step is to wet the wall paper. You can use plain water, a commercial wall paper remover (wimp!) or water mixed with dishwashing liquid. Apply the water with a paint roller, squirt gun (Now THAT sounds like fun!) or a sponge. Just keep wetting the wall until the glue behinds the wallpaper begins to loosen.

5.                   If you have money to burn, you can rent a wallpaper steamer but this isn’t as much fun and you can’t get the kids to help much with this one.

6.                   Try to peel the paper again using your hands, a putty knife or a scraper (a spatula or pancake turner works as well!).

7.                   Use a large sponge or scouring pad to clean any remaining glue from the wall. You want to have the wall stripped down to the original painted or primed wall.

8.                   If there is glue remaining, let the wall dry. Then use coarse sandpaper to sand off any remaining glue or backing.

Now you once again have a blank palette! The time is right to now dress those walls with an updated and uplifting wall covering.

Happy Wall Papering!