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  1. #1
    brittone2 is offline Blue Diamond level (20,000+ posts)
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    Default Favorite products for wallpaper/border removal?

    Can anyone recommend a favorite product for wallpaper/border removal? We have some to do on our next house and I'm a little scared MIL is amazing with wallpaper (putting up, and I'm guessing she's taken a good bit down) so I'm going to talk with her a bit.

    Just wondering if anyone had any tried and true favorite products and or tips by any chance? I've been fortunate in that we never had to do this in any of our prior houses. Thankfully there is only wallpaper on one single wall in the upstairs, but the formal living room and dining room both have mauve/navy type floral wallpaper that I'd like to get down before we move our furniture in. It is one of those projects I think we won't get around to for a while if we don't do it asap.
    Mama to DS-2004
    DD-2006
    and a new addition-ds born march 2010

  2. #2
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    I don't know how old the new-to-you wallpaper is, but I've found just pulling on older papers (30 years or so) takes it off. Then I just wash the walls repeatedly with warm water to get the glue softened and off. Sometimes (depending on the state of the plaster underneath) I use a wide, flexible scraper to get under the paper and glue.

    I'm sure people have better ideas than I have for chemicals, but I must say any time I've used the "wallpaper ripper" tools, I've created more of a mess than I needed to.

    GL!
    -Ivy

    Parenting two active, wonderful boys

    This is your world. Shape it or someone else will. -Gary Lew

  3. #3
    brittone2 is offline Blue Diamond level (20,000+ posts)
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    Quote Originally Posted by ThreeofUs View Post
    I don't know how old the new-to-you wallpaper is, but I've found just pulling on older papers (30 years or so) takes it off. Then I just wash the walls repeatedly with warm water to get the glue softened and off. Sometimes (depending on the state of the plaster underneath) I use a wide, flexible scraper to get under the paper and glue.

    I'm sure people have better ideas than I have for chemicals, but I must say any time I've used the "wallpaper ripper" tools, I've created more of a mess than I needed to.

    GL!
    The paper would be under 22 years old. The house was built in 88. Not sure when the paper went up (it is in good condition just NMS ) but it isn't *really* old.

    I'm worried about damaging the drywall. Obviously that can be repaired but I'd rather not screw it up too badly!
    Mama to DS-2004
    DD-2006
    and a new addition-ds born march 2010

  4. #4
    clc053103 is offline Emerald level (3000+ posts)
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    I use a Paper Tiger paper scorer and Dif. Tried the Gel spray recently for a border and it worked really well. For wallpaper I think I would use the liquid, you can actually roll it on with a paint roller.

    If worried about chemical, when I was pregnant I did it with fabric softener and water and it worked well too.

  5. #5
    brittone2 is offline Blue Diamond level (20,000+ posts)
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    I'm not totally anti chemical. I could ventilate and we would probably do the work before we actually moved in. If I can avoid using nasty stuff that would be fantastic though
    Mama to DS-2004
    DD-2006
    and a new addition-ds born march 2010

  6. #6
    KrisM is offline Clean Sweep forum moderator
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    I used a steamer last time and that was the easiest I ever had wallpaper come off. I'd score it, steam it, and peel.
    Kris

  7. #7
    Clarity is offline Emerald level (3000+ posts)
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    We've been using a solution of vinegar and water. About 1/2 and 1/2. Score the wall paper, sponge on warm/hot vinegar water, let soak and scrape away. We've found that the stubborn areas require hotter water/vinegar.
    big girl 6/06
    little girl 9/08

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    "I'm not stupid; I just don't stop to proofread." (PRM?)

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Clarity View Post
    We've been using a solution of vinegar and water. About 1/2 and 1/2. Score the wall paper, sponge on warm/hot vinegar water, let soak and scrape away. We've found that the stubborn areas require hotter water/vinegar.

    This sounds great. Maybe with a steamer it would work even better? Anyway, I'm tucking it into my "how to" file to remember, thanks!
    -Ivy

    Parenting two active, wonderful boys

    This is your world. Shape it or someone else will. -Gary Lew

  9. #9
    brittone2 is offline Blue Diamond level (20,000+ posts)
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    Quote Originally Posted by Clarity View Post
    We've been using a solution of vinegar and water. About 1/2 and 1/2. Score the wall paper, sponge on warm/hot vinegar water, let soak and scrape away. We've found that the stubborn areas require hotter water/vinegar.
    Right up my alley THanks for that idea!
    Mama to DS-2004
    DD-2006
    and a new addition-ds born march 2010

  10. #10
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    We have 80's style border applied directly to our drywall. I was able to pull the front of the paper off pretty easily and then applied a rag that was wet with hot water to the glue part and it easily came off with a straight edge. It didn't damage the drywall at all and it was not messy. I just pressed the hot rag on the wall in about two foot sections for about 30 seconds. We tried the scoring and chemical method in other rooms and it didn't work. Of course, a steamer would probably work best if you have it.
    Big Boy 2/04
    Little Boy 7/08

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