What is the easist method to remove wallpaper/contact paper off walls?

Question

I live in a manufactured home and the previous owners put either wallpaper or to me it looks and feels like contact paper as a border down the middle of the walls. I been removing it with a razor blade, but it leave a sticky residue.

Answer 1

Fabric Softener.

I know it sounds crazy, but I know several people who've tried it and it works like a charm. Just rub it over the wallpaper, then peel.

Answer 2

Sounds like contact paper which I have no experience with. You might ask at home depot but I suspect you have to peel it off then use some sort of adhesive remover.

Wall paper can be tough or hard depending on what kind was put up and how. Some wallpapers are easy to peel, you just pull on them. When they sell them they are marked "strippable." For others you either steam them, or spray on a solution that disolves the glue (soaks through the paper) and then peel it off with a spatula. Then you wash down the wall with a solution that removes the last traces of glue.

For really tough wallpaper, you do the steaming or solution, but after scoring the paper with something that creates serrations (little holes).

Of course wallpaper techniques don't work on contact paper. You might google removing contact paper and see if the manufacturer has a solution. It is possible that once peeled off, a little rubbing alcohol will remove hte last of the adhesive.

Answer 3

My hubby saw on DIY or HGTV the other day where someone used a super soaker water gun with hot water to remove wallpaper. I am sure you could add some type of product to the water that is normally used to dissolve glue or remove wallpaper. A steamer is a good option also. It usually takes some elbow grease. I don't reccomment painting over the wallpaper as many people suggest, because I have seen that done before and most of the time people regret it.

Answer 4

How To Remove Contact Paper

Answer 5

DIY warehouses ( Home Depot, etc ) sell a variety of items to make this easy as can be. Try to take a peice of the border in and they can identify the right product for removal.

Contact paper is a different situation that regular wallpaper...it may be harder to remove. But, the glue residue can be removed easily with a number of products. It is easier now than ever.

Answer 6

From your local paint store, hardware or big box you can purchase "Jif" wallpaper remover and an inexpensive tool called a "Paper Tiger." The Paper Tiger is used to make tiny perforations in the wallpaper and the Jif soaks into the paper and through the perfs, dissolving the adhesive and allowing you to remove the paper. It comes off in sheets, requires little effort, and is one of those gratifying diy experiences.

Answer 7

I've heard that you can use a mixture of Downy and water on wallpaper, spray it on or sponge it on. I haven't tried this but my sister in-law said it works. I've used a spray that I bought at Home Depot, I can't remember the name but it's blue and very thick. It was in the section with the wallpaper.

Just asked my husband about the spray, it's called DIF. It wasn't too expensive either, maybe around $6.00. We used it to removed a border in our hallway and it came off pretty easily.

Answer 8

Most paint stores sell a wallpaper remover...(powder mixed with water to desired strength) I've used it very successfully and even tried it on old contact paper. Razor blades take forever, paint stores also sell a wide based stripping tool, much like a thin metal spatula that is very helpful.

Answer 9

Use a stream wallpaper remover tool you can rent at your local tool rental place, it's easy. Mine was like $35 a day in Missouri

Answer 10

Hire a steam wallpaper remover from a hardware store. If it is glossy you may need to rub sandpaper on it for it to come off more easily with the steam.