How to quickly remove old wallpaper from the walls

Recommendation points

• We remove wallpaper in the traditional way
• How to remove non-woven wallpaper
• How to remove vinyl wallpaper
• The subtleties of removing washable wallpaper
• Secrets of removing liquid wallpaper
• How to clean old wallpaper from drywall

Have you started a renovation and don’t know how to remove your old wallpaper? At first glance, there is nothing complicated about this, but each type of wallpaper material requires its own, special approach. In this article, we will look at several quick and effective ways to get rid of old coverings, depending on the type of wallpaper..

We remove wallpaper in the traditional way

The easiest and proven way to get rid of old wallpaper is to use water. First of all, turn off the power in the apartment, and then cover the sockets and switches with masking tape. To make cleaning easier after renovation, cover the floor with plastic wrap and tape it so that all dust and debris falls on it..

It is necessary to soak the wallpaper with hot water and dishwashing detergent. Wait 10-20 minutes and wet again. When the wallpaper is swollen, it is removed with a spatula, starting from the bottom, prying the edge of the canvas and removing it. Please note that you should not process the entire wall as a whole, it is better to wet only part of the wall, during this time the old coating will not have time to dry. The remnants of wallpaper can be wiped off with coarse sandpaper, but so as not to damage the putty.

How to remove non-woven wallpaper

This type of wallpaper consists of two layers: the lower one made of cellulose and the upper one made of synthetic fibers. Usually the top layer separates well from the paper base, it is enough to pick up a piece of non-woven fabric from below.

First, try removing this material with a dampener. If in this way it was not possible to remove the wall decoration, then try using the “wallpaper tiger”. This is a special device capable of perforating wallpaper without damaging the putty layer. It is even easier to make notches on the surface using the sharp tip of a spatula or a spiked roller. This is done so that moisture penetrates inside and reaches the paper layer, since the non-woven fabric repels water. Wallpaper can be moistened with water or vinegar solution and can be easily removed as described above.

How to remove vinyl wallpaper

Vinyl wallpaper is a combination of two layers: the top, covered with polyvinyl chloride, and the bottom woven or paper. PVC makes the surface water-repellent. Most often, these wallpapers are glued to PVA, which is very difficult to remove. Water and special fluids will not help here..

In this case, a mechanical cleaning method is used – a grinding machine. To begin with, remove the wallpaper with a spatula, and then, firmly pressing the sander against the wall surface, remove the remaining fragments. Please note that this method generates a lot of dust, therefore a respirator and safety glasses must be used. If you don’t have a sander, you can use a piece of coarse sandpaper..

The subtleties of removing washable wallpaper

Washable wallpaper does not allow water to pass through, so it is impossible to remove it using the traditional method (soaking). But there is another way – to use a steam generator. Under the influence of hot steam, cellulose and glue swell and simply move away from the wall. In the event that you do not have a steam generator or an iron with a steamer in your house, you can use a damp cloth. To do this, attach it to the wall and iron it with a hot iron. Thus, you process the entire wall. After that, pry the edge of the wallpaper with a spatula and remove it. They should easily move away from the wall, completely.

Secrets of removing liquid wallpaper

Liquid wallpaper can be removed very simply – just wet the surface with water, let the material swell and you can remove the coating with a scraper or a wide spatula. If a thick layer of coating was applied, then the surface should be wetted several times. Liquid wallpaper is convenient because it can be repeatedly applied to the wall. To do this, it is enough to dry the removed coating, and when reused, simply wet it with water and reapply to the surface..

If there was a lot of gypsum and adhesive in the composition of liquid wallpaper, then they can be removed with a construction hair dryer. To do this, they heat the surface of the wall, and after the material begins to crack from exposure to hot air, remove it with a spatula.

How to clean old wallpaper from drywall

If, before pasting the old wallpaper, the drywall was initially putty, then to remove the wallpaper, you can use special chemical agents that dissolve the wallpaper glue well. But keep in mind that such a solution is diluted with water, so it cannot be used in large quantities. The fact is that drywall itself easily absorbs moisture, while losing its strength and deforming.

Another way is to use the cheapest wallpaper glue. Dilute it and apply to the surface, evenly. It dries for a long time and at the same time pulls the material, which is why the wallpaper easily leaves the wall.

If none of the methods came up, then you can remove the wallpaper with the top layer of drywall. Since it consists of glued sheets of paper, it is enough just to pick up the topmost one and carefully separate it using a molar knife.

Removing old wallpaper from the wall is a painstaking process, but it doesn’t take long. Be sure to remove any glue and paper residues so that the new wallpaper will last long and look beautiful.