If you own an older home, chances are you will find a layer or two of dated wallpaper hanging on the walls. Wallpaper is making a comeback, but not all papers stand the test of time.
Removing wallpaper while standing on scaffolding is what Dea Rust does best! She's becoming quite the pro at stripping wallpaper since she and her husband bought a historic mansion this past year. I thought that maybe she could offer us some tried and true tips for removing wallpaper.
How to Remove Wallpaper
Method 1
Step 1: Score the paper
Use a scoring tool like this to help poke holes in the paper so that the wallpaper remover can soak through the paper to the glue. Don't score too hard because you don't want to be left patching up the wall when you are done.
Step 2: Spray on DIF
Anyone who has removed wallpaper before swears by this product. DIF is the best wallpaper remover to use. The solution dries so only spray the area you are working on.
Step 3: Wait
Allow the DIF solution to soak in for 15 minutes. This is a good time to move back to the area that you sprayed and is waiting to be removed.
Step 4: Spray DIF again
You want your wallpaper to be moist so that it slides right off the wall.
Step 5: Scrape
Scrape the wallpaper off of the wall. I've found that a tool like this works the best.
Step 6: Repeat
Repeat this whole process until all of the glue backing is removed.
Method 2
{Dea's preferred method for wallpaper removal}
Step 1: Prep your steamer
This steamer from HomeRight works double duty. Not only can you use it around the house for cleaning {check out my lazy housecleaning tricks for a spotless home}, but you can use it for wallpaper removal. Fill up your steamer with water and let it heat up.
Step 2: Start steaming
Hold the steamer in place for 30-40 seconds to give the steamer time to penetrate through the glue.
No comments