There is little evidence of the use of wallpaper in homes in the United States before the mid-eighteenth century. Before that time, walls in American homes were treated with finishes such as whitewash, paint, wainscoting, and, for the more elite, panels of fabric. The 1880s marked the rise of wallpaper popularity in the U.S., and soon, walls in homes were decorated, no matter the size of the room. Since then, papering walls has been a popular choice for wall coverings in American homes.
When wallpaper was first created, it was necessary to purchase a dry paste to which water was added and mixed to form the glue. This paste was then used to attach the paper to the wall. More recently, pre-pasted wallpaper has been developed, where you simply wet the backside of the paper, trim, adjust, and smooth it flat. While wallpaper can beautify a space, removing it can be a labor-intensive task. So, be prepared to work hard and invest some time. Wallpaper can be stubborn to remove!
While papered walls can look beautiful, you may grow tired of your previous decorating theme or perhaps you’ve purchased a home where the last owner’s idea of “beautifully papered walls” wasn’t quite your style. Either way, if you’ve decided to remove the paper, what’s the best approach?
Some people may lack the ambition or desire to remove wallpaper entirely and choose to either paint or paper over the existing wall covering. While this is a valid option, removing the paper completely will result in a smoother, more polished finish.
How to Remove Wallpaper
One of the main concerns when removing wallpaper is how to do so without damaging the walls. There are a couple of methods you can use: a steamer or chemicals. You’ll need to decide which method works best for you. Removing wallpaper isn’t necessarily difficult, but it can be very time-consuming. Believe it or not, there’s a real art to stripping wallpaper, and patience is key.
Depending on the type of wallpaper installed, some can be removed dry, while others may require a removal solution. It all depends on the method used to install the paper. If the wall wasn’t sealed with a primer, you may experience damage to the wall’s texture or sheetrock, which will need to be repaired before redecorating.
In the past, steamers heated with propane tanks were used to remove wallpaper. Nowadays, electric steamers can be rented. A word of caution: there’s a risk of burns or scalding when using a steamer. Be sure to protect your hands with thick heat-resistant gloves, and keep children and pets away from the area while using the steamer.
A safer and more efficient way to remove wallpaper is to use chemicals. It takes half the time of a steamer and is much safer. A concentrated chemical mixed with hot water creates a solution that dissolves the glue on the paper backing.
When starting this project, be sure you have all the necessary tools on hand. These include a broad knife, a ladder, a scoring tool, and a two-gallon plastic pump garden sprayer. Also, have a couple of drop cloths available to protect your flooring. Be sure to remove all outlet covers before starting. Mix the chemical solution with hot water. While there may be other products available, one reputable option is DIF by Zinsser, which can be purchased at your local home improvement store.
Begin by spraying a small area of your wall and gently pulling on the paper to see which direction the glue grain is going. You can experiment by moving the paper in all directions. If the paper still seems to be stuck, spray the area again and let the solution soak into the paper thoroughly.
If only the top layer comes off when pulling the paper, gently score the remaining paper and spray the wall again. This will allow the solution to penetrate the area where the glue is. Wait a few minutes, then pull the wall covering in the direction of the glue grain. This should allow you to remove the wallpaper cleanly and neatly.
Don’t be startled if you find another layer of paper underneath the first one. This is especially common in older homes. It can actually be quite fascinating to see the different wallpaper choices that have been made over the years. Be sure to remove only one layer at a time to avoid damaging the walls. As the paper comes off, spray the solution once more and gently scrape any areas that may need extra attention. The final step is to wipe the wall with a clean, damp sponge and let it dry for a couple of days before repainting or papering.
There are also home remedies for removing wallpaper, such as using white vinegar and fabric softener. These should be mixed with as hot water as you can comfortably handle. Apply them to the wall with a sponge or spray bottle, using the same technique as the chemical remover. Many biodegradable and environmentally safe removers are also available. You can shop online or consult your local home care expert for advice.
Papering a wall is a wonderful choice for any home’s décor. People of all income levels paper their walls. A man from a low-income family in the South once told me that, years ago, his parents used discarded comic strips from their local newspaper to paper their walls. And while you can find wallpaper for less than ten dollars a roll, the most expensive wall covering ever purchased in the United States was by Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of President John F. Kennedy. This wallpaper, manufactured by a French company, cost nearly $29,000. It was installed in the White House and can still be seen today. Quite the contrast!
