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Remove all electrical faceplates, phone jacks, picture hangers, and any other obstructions in the walls. Cover outlets and switches with tape to protect them from liquids (Image 1). Use a moisture resistant cloth or plastic sheeting to protect the carpet or floors (Image 2).
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Some wallpapers, especially the foil and waterproof types, are strong and made with glues that loosen easily when removed from the wall. Before beginning the more difficult processes described below, start at a corner or seam and try to peel the wallpaper off the surface. If it releases without tearing the drywall paper or leaving strips of backing behind, you may not need to spray or use a solvent. And even if the remnants stick to the walls, after you've thrown away most of the paper, you may be able to scrape them off without resorting to more drastic removal measures.
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Whether you choose to use the solvent or steam removal method, first use a wallpaper piercing tool such as "Paper Tiger" (Image 1) which has rollers with small spikes that punch small holes in the paper (Images 2, 3) . This allows the solvent to penetrate behind the paper and dissolve the adhesive. If the surface is drywall, do not push the tool too hard or it will penetrate the paper surface of the drywall. If this happens, you'll need to fill in the indentations with a caulking compound before painting or applying new wallpaper.
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Most solvents are caustic, so if you choose this method, wear rubber gloves and eye protection. Commercial solvents are usually mixed with water or are available as a gel to be used straight. Follow the product directions and apply with a brush or sponge, then let the solvent soak in and loosen the wallpaper. You'll know the solvent is working when the wallpaper begins to sag or pull away from the wall.
Inexpensive solvent alternatives include mixing hot water with a few tablespoons of white vinegar, or hot water and fabric softener, both of which can be applied with a spray bottle. Mix small batches at a time to keep the water as hot as possible. Saturate the wallpaper in sections, spraying only as much of the wall as you can comfortably pull in a 15-minute period.
You can rent a commercial wallpaper steamer as an alternative to solvents. Steamers are especially good at removing old-style, heavy, stiff wallpapers and papers that have adhered for a long time.
Like solvents, fumes are messy in their own way, releasing hot steam and dripping hot water, so also wear work gloves or rubber gloves and eye protection with this method. Vaporizers also introduce large amounts of moisture into a room, so open a window or ventilate with fans to prevent moisture buildup in confined areas.
To use a wallpaper steamer, place the steamer pad on the surface of the wallpaper and hold it down long enough to allow the steam to penetrate the wallpaper and soften the glue. Experience will tell you how long to hold the steam pad against the wall. If you apply little steam, it will be difficult to remove the wallpaper. However, if you apply too much steam for a long time, it can damage the drywall below and even soften the drywall surface.
Once the wallpaper has loosened, use a scraper to remove it; do not remove it with your hands, as the steam will have overheated the glue and paper and could cause burns. This process can be time consuming, but the more effort you put into steaming, the less time you'll spend scraping.
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After the solvent or steam has loosened the wallpaper, begin removing the wallpaper at a seam or edge of a hole. Use a wallpaper scraping tool, plastic putty knife, or drywall knife, being careful not to scrape or tear the wallpaper below. You may need to continue steaming or reapplying solvent to stubborn areas. Continue scraping until all wallpaper and backing has been removed.
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Prepare a bucket of very hot water mixed with a small amount of tri-sodium phosphate (TSP), a heavy-duty cleaner available at hardware stores. Use a sponge to clean the walls with this solution and remove all traces of wallpaper adhesive. Be careful not to oversaturate the walls. Finally, spray the walls with clean water and dry with a towel.
Use a caulking compound to patch any nicks or indentations in either drywall or plaster. Allow repairs to dry completely, then sand lightly with 150-grit sandpaper and wipe clean.
