11 Wallpaper Removal Tips: How To Get Rid Of Ugly Wallpaper!

I broke my promise to myself and took down the wallpaper again. The only reason I did this is for a $100,000 profit. My family and I did not have time to wait for professional help. We sold our investment property before the job was done and needed the house ready for appraisal.

While removing the wallpaper, I realized that many housewives get the wrong advice for this horrendous task. After years of experience in more than 30 houses, I offer my best and tried advice:

1. Use a garment steamer or rent a professional steamer

2. Soak a large part of the wall

3. Run a “Paper Tiger” scoring tool on the wet section

4. Re-spray section

5. Spray section with fabric softener and hot water.

6. Mark the section again with the paper tiger.

7. Steam again

8. Remove curled edges (sometimes large areas shed)

9. Scrape with a six-inch sheet of drywall

10. Repeat the previous steps in the section until the majority scrapes off easily.

11. Scrub with hot water, TSP and a sponge with a rough surface

Precautions: Please use the paper tiger carefully so as not to scratch or pierce the walls. Wear gloves with the strong chemical TSP.

Don’t live with an ugly wallpaper anymore!

P.S. Email me if you have any additional tips on removing wallpaper that would help others!

Copyright © 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved. (You may publish this article in its entirety with the following author information with live links only.)