Just like paint, colorful wallpapers can enhance the look of the walls. Installing wallpapers seems to be a not-so-difficult task. However, when the wallpapers get old, removing them is laborious task. Moreover, if the paper is not removed properly, its adhesive is left sticking on to the walls, making them look worse. If you have decided to re-wallpaper your room and want to clear the old adhesive as well, make use of a fabric softener. Go through the article and learn how to remove wallpaper with fabric softener.
Removing Old Wallpaper With Fabric Softener
Things Required
- Fabric Softener
- Water
- Sponge or Rag
- Putty Knife
- Utility Knife
- Bucket
- Paint Roller
Procedure
- Try to peel off the old wallpaper by grasping it from a corner. If the adhesive comes off in the strips easily, leaving just the paper backing behind, then the wallpaper is a strippable one. Continue stripping it off, until only the paper backing is left on the wall.
- If the wallpaper is not a strippable one, you need to prime the walls. Make criss-cross cuts in the topmost layer of the wallpaper, using a sharp utility knife. While doing this, make sure that you apply gentle strokes. Soften the adhesive of the wallpaper by wiping the walls with a damp sponge or a rag dipped in hot water.
- After doing the above step, your wallpaper will start detaching itself from the wall. Repeat the above process few more times.
- After the wallpaper starts peeling off the wall, remove it by using a putty knife. Place the knife beneath the areas of the paper that are lifted up. Now, peel off as much of the paper as you can. Make sure that you lift bigger pieces of the paper.
- Mix one part of warm water with the same quantity of fabric softener, in a bucket. Blend it thoroughly, to form a solution.
- Using a sponge or a rag, saturate the walls with the solution. Make sure that the solution is distributed evenly. You may also employ a paint roller to wet the walls.
- After waiting for 15 minutes, scrap off the remaining wallpaper and adhesive, using a putty knife.
- Clean the walls thoroughly, with a neutralizing solution.
- Allow the walls to dry completely, before you stick new wallpaper on it.