Stripping Wallpaper

kaete

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So, I'm moving into a new apartment this month, and the bathroom has the most hideous wallpaper I have ever seen (think mauve, with giant ugly flowers.) It needs to go. Desperately.

I've never dealt with wallpaper in any respect, either putting it up or stripping it. Anybody have any ideas how to make it as quick and painless as possible? Thanks!
 

weldrwomn

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If you go to your local home improvement store, they should have some stuff that you wash your walls with that is meant for loosening wallpaper. Also, they should have this little spikey roller thing (yes, that is a technical term lol) that you use before you wet the old paper that will really really help loosen it.
 

buzbyjlc10

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Originally Posted by WELDRWOMN

If you go to your local home improvement store, they should have some stuff that you wash your walls with that is meant for loosening wallpaper. Also, they should have this little spikey roller thing (yes, that is a technical term lol) that you use before you wet the old paper that will really really help loosen it.
Exactly... I *think* the tool is called a tiger (not sure though, it's a round hand held thing) - you roll that all over the old paper which makes tiny holes then you spray the chemical onto the paper and it loosens it up... the chemical is called Dif (might be with 2 F's)... my parents used this combo basically in every room of the house as it got re-done... works really well
 

menagerie mama

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Originally Posted by WELDRWOMN

If you go to your local home improvement store, they should have some stuff that you wash your walls with that is meant for loosening wallpaper. Also, they should have this little spikey roller thing (yes, that is a technical term lol) that you use before you wet the old paper that will really really help loosen it.
That's what I was going to say. I love stripping wallpaper, but only when it comes off in big sheets. You know, kinda like how women like to pop things and peel off sunburned skin.

Ps. I don't recommend putting up wallpaper. I actually hate wallpaper. It's a pain!
 

monaxlisa

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The easiest way hands down is buy a steamer. Or rent one, I dont know how much they cost to rent but you should be able to buy one for about $50 so it shouldnt be too bad to rent them and get a putty/spackling spatula say with 4 inch blade.
Ive just done three rooms all about 17x 14 (only half of the house left to go!
) and Ive never needed the spiky roller thingy.
 

lookingglass

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Use a steamer, but also get some cheap fabric softener and dump it in a large gallon bucket of water. Sponge down the walls before you start steaming. It will come off it nice strips.


This is a tip I got from the TLC show Trading Spaces. I tried it in my very first apartment and it worked like a charm.
 

goldenkitty45

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Unless you own the apartment, you can't just change things without the landlord's permission. I'm assuming you are renting this apartment. If so, speak to the manager or landlord about them changing the wallpaper. Otherwise you will be charged for any damage, etc. and changes made without permission.

I'm surprised an apartment has wallpaper - its usually all painted surfaces. Wallpaper is NOT easy to remove.
 

pushylady

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Originally Posted by BuzbyJLC10

Exactly... I *think* the tool is called a tiger (not sure though, it's a round hand held thing) - you roll that all over the old paper which makes tiny holes then you spray the chemical onto the paper and it loosens it up... the chemical is called Dif (might be with 2 F's)... my parents used this combo basically in every room of the house as it got re-done... works really well
I've used the Tiger before, and it worked well. The steamer we tried (rented it from Home Depot) really sucked and actually made the process harder. The DIF worked well though and I would recommend it.
Just make sure that you've prepared for the task ahead. You never know with wallpaper whether it's going to come off easy or be a real PITA to get rid off!
Good luck!
 

starryeyedtiger

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If you put a bit of liquid fabric softner (one part downy or other brand and one part water) into a spray bottle and spray it on the wallpaper- it will help tear it down really easily!!!
We just helped my sister remove all of the wallpaper in her kitchen and that worked amazingly well!!!
 

marianjela

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I second the fabric softener idea - and also - HOT water... heated water really helps goo-up the paste so you can get the paper off.

Good luck - I've removed paper numerous times. If you have a second set of hands, that'll really help, one person to spray and remove paper and another wiping down the remnants with a sponge.
 

gailc

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I used an exacto knife and made light cuts all over the wallpaper. I then boiled water and poured in spray bottle and immediately sprayed on wallpaper. Let work for a couple of minutes. Have paper grocery bags handy to put wallpaper in. Once removed though there still may be paste/sizing left on the walls. This will have to me COMPLETELY removed-use hot water and soilex/dirtex to remove. If the wall is dry and still feels tacky you still have stuff to remove. If it still feels a bit tacky its best to reprime the walls before painting with selected color otherwise the paint may not adhere properly.
 

laureen227

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when i removed all of the borders in my house, the bathroom one came off a treat! just peeled right off.
the dining room one came off in little, bitty pieces
took FOREVER!
 
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