Wallpaper Removal Made Easy
Wallpaper: the bane of any renovators existence (or at least one of many).
I remember when I first started renovating old houses, I was given many suggestions on how to remove wallpaper. From expensive removal sprays and scorers to just drywalling over it and starting fresh. I tried every product out there but nothing worked and can you imagine re-drywalling just to cover wallpaper?! Finally a contractor I hired told me about this trick and it changed my wallpaper removal game forever and BONUS, it makes your property smell great at the same time!
Materials needed:
Bucket
Rag or sponge
Metal scraper
Warm water
Liquid fabric softener
Step 1: Remove top layer of wallpaper. Find a corner or score the paper with a knife and start peeling off that patterned layer.
Step 2: Pour a generous amount of liquid fabric softener into a large bucket.
Step 3: Add warm water. I usually do a 1:3 ratio softener to water. Mix well.
Step 4: Using a rag, soak the remaining layer of wallpaper generously. This part can get pretty messy so I always recommend protecting any floors, baseboards, electric heaters etc. below with a drop cloth or plastic (just be careful because plastic can get slippery!). Work in relatively small sections. Don't try to soak the entire wall at once or it will dry before you get to scrape it. If a section does dry before you get to it that's okay! Just re-wet it and start again.
Step 5: Let the solution sit for a couple minutes, but not long enough to dry, and start to scrape. Consistent pressure and long strokes work great.
*Take extra precautions and care around electrical outlets and switches*
Have you every heard of this trick before? I'd love to know if you try it so please let me know how it goes if you do.
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Happy renovating!!
