Angie's LIST Guide to
Wallpapering and wallpaper removal

Hanging wallpaper is a great way to brighten up or change the feel of a room without spending the money of a major renovation. It can bring in color, texture or provide a unique feel to any room. If not achieving the desired look, it can be removed with the proper know-how.

Perhaps one of the oldest interior design techniques, the first instance of a person attaching paper to the wall is believed to have occurred in China more than 2,000 years ago. However, rice paper was used and the decorative effect was much different than the wallpaper we know today.

The development of modern wallpaper started in Europe during the Renaissance when paper was used as an inexpensive wall decoration. Modern-day wallpaper proves to be less subtle, providing the perfect finishing touch in room decoration.

Removing old wallpaper before you paint or apply new wallpaper will create a smooth and even look. However, stripping wallpaper is a detailed process that must be followed precisely.

1. Prepare the wall: You will need to be sure that you turn off the electricity in the room, as you will be applying moisture to the wall in the next step. Remove pictures, furniture that is near the wall, switch plates and anything else that may be in your way. Hang plastic sheeting at the bottom edge of the wallpapered area to assure no damage is done to the baseboard or floor.

2. Score the wall: A scorer helps prepare the wallpaper for removal. Scorers can be purchased at any home improvement store. With pressure applied, drag it from the top to the bottom of the wall. This will put tiny holes in the wallpaper, which allows the moisture to penetrate for easier removal.

3. Apply moisture: Use a solution that is specifically intended for removing the type of wallpaper you’re working with, and follow the instructions on the label. Be sure to moisten the entire wallpapered area, but do not apply excess liquid. Use a paint roller or spraying device to cover large amounts of area. Once the solution has set into the wallpaper, you should notice the wallpaper starting to bubble. You can also use special steaming devices to help remove stubborn paper or glue residue.

4. Peel wallpaper: Use a dull putty knife to loosen the wallpaper from the wall. Slide the putty knife under the seam of the wallpaper and carefully peel away. If you have trouble peeling any sections away, try adding more of the solution you used to moisten the wall. It is important that the putty knife is dull, as a sharp putty knife can cause damage to your wall.

5. Scrape away glue residue: Once all of the old wallpaper has been peeled off, you will be left with the glue residue that was holding the wallpaper to the wall. Apply another layer of the solution that you used to remove the wallpaper and let it soak into the glue. Then you will be able to scrape away the glue residue as you did with the wallpaper.

6. Final wash: Using a sponge and warm water, wash the walls from top to bottom. This should only be done after all wallpaper and residue has been completely removed.

7. Double check: Just to be completely sure all of the residue has been removed from the walls, mix a solution containing 1 quart of water and 1 ounce of povidone-iodine. Spray the solution onto the wall, and watch for purple spots that indicate there is still residue on the wall. Once the last of the residue has been removed, allow the wall to dry overnight before adding a sealer.