What are the best tools to use when removing wallpaper?

Question

How about a steamcleaning device e.g. a carpet cleaner?

Answer 1

You can waste your money renting a steam cleaner if you want to, but here's how we remove wallpaper... we've found it to be the easiest, most inexpensive way.

1. Use a scoring tool and score the wallpaper all over and every which way (a scoring tool looks like a mini pizza cutter with spikes)
2. Use a spray bottle and fill it with blue windshield washing fluid. Spray this all over and let it soak in. You may want to spray twice.
3. Peel and scrape off the paper. Use a putty spreading knife to scrape.
4. Wash the wall with liquid TSP

Answer 2

Hi,
I've done that!
The two answers have merit and are good answers. I would add that there's a spray on product that makes it easier and yes you may have to score or use a tool that will poke holes or make scratches in the old wall paper to allow the spray product to soak and loosen the wallpaper so that you can pull the old wallpaper off. Both the spray on stuff and the tool is available at Lowe's or Home Depot or any good hardware store.
When you apply new wallpaper over the newly cleaned area there's a product you can buy that will make it easier to remove the new wallpaper when you eventually want to remove it.

Answer 3

I just removed a bunch of wallpaper from my house. I found the best way to remove it was scoring it and then spraying it with DIF, which you can find at a home improvement store in the paint section, and vinegar. Yes, I said vinegar, haha. I mixture of both seemed to work really well. Let it sit for a couple of minutes and then scrape it with a metal paint scrapper, but be careful not to dig into the wall. Removing wallpaper is very tedious and time consuming, but it really pays off when you're done. Best of luck!

Answer 4

Take 1 part liquid fabric softener to 10 parts water. Put in a spray bottle. Spray solution on the wallpaper until thoroughly wet. Easily scrape wall paper off with a putty knife.

Answer 5

i just did this... there were 2 layers of wallpaper yucko. i started with scoring with a tool called a tiger claw and used the chemical. it takes time to work and can get expensive. then a wagoner power steamer was bought at a yard sale for $2.00 !!! man that stuff just melted right off the walls I do recommend it, if you have a large project, consider renting one or look on craigs list for a used one

Answer 6

We used a sponge mop and warm soapy water. Wet down the paper and let it sit for a little while, then use a putty tool or a large scraper of sorts to remove the wall paper.

Answer 7

The best tool I have found for wallpaper removal is my husband.

Answer 8

I used a commercially sold wallpaper removal formula and a wide razor.

Prepare for an un-fun time. Wallpaper should be made illegal.

Answer 9

The last wallpaper I removed came off really easily... with a sledgehammer... oh, did I mention the wallboard came with it?... sorry, my wife didn't want that wall there anyways... then there was the time I used a propane torch...

Answer 10

try using an enzyme based gel to apply on the wall to loosen the paper, use a specially designed scour to poke holes in the wallpaper and peel away. it takes a while...