I've removed a lot of wallpaper. Last time I got a high pressure steamer (which is also great for other things), not a wallpaper steamer (which I've never used), and the job went much faster.

What worked best for me was to strip off the surface of the wallpaper in larger sheets first, then to use a spray bottle to thoroughly *soak* the felted paper that was left behind with diluted (per instructions) wallpaper remover or even plain water. Give that a chance to soften the glue, then scrape and peel. I don't think the job is ever a piece of cake.

Good luck, hang in there, and I hope it goes quickly for you. Turning on a radio or chatting with a helper passes the time better.

I used a wallpaper steamer years ago and it worked best when I wet the paper and let it set for about 10 minutes - just take it off before it starts drying.
One of the easiest ways I've found is to use a garden sprayer with a mixture of fabric softener and hot water. Wet the paper and take off the top layer and wet again to take off the backing. The softener helps to loosen the glue on the paper.

Worst job n the world. Have tried Dif, fabric softener, hot water, vinegar.....
Had the best luck with a $50 steamer from Home Depot. A messy, time consuming job no matter what you do. But a good feeling when it is done.

Good luck!

I agree 100% with justretired. I also purchased a 50 dollar steamer from Home Depot. Start it up, hold it onto the wall for a few minutes and start removing. You can use a sharp spackle knife to remove the paper. I have removed tons of paper and this worked the best for me. I really hate wallpaper for that reason. I have converted to faux finishing.

Here is a link that might be useful: Christy's Thrifty Decorating

Laurie
I am removing wall paper as we speak..it is very slow moving to say the least! I feel your pain, as I have the same..lol

what I have been doing is removing the top layer of paper first, what you have left on the wall is the backing..I take a spray bottle with liquid soap and drench it. ( no need for harsh chemicals) Then I take out my wall paper steamer (home depot) and let it steam in the same spot for a minute or two, go to the next section..then I go back and use a wall paper scraper and it has been coming off pretty easy. If there is a spot that doesn't, I re spray it..I also find just soaking it, it will come off as well..but adding the steam makes it much easier. I am still doing this kitchen..believe??
hang in there!!! Ree

Hi Laurie,
That is a tough job- just completed 10 hours of that in my own kitchen. I found that best thing was to buy that scoring tool (only costs a couple bucks) and score the walls very thoroughly. Then use your steamer or DIF (I've used both methods). You have to get the outer layer off first and then the 2nd layer will come off with your scraper or putty knife as long as the removal solution (or steam) can get through the pin holes that the scorer makes. Good luck.

Just finished removing the wallpaper in and repainting our kitchen. The old paper was difficult - even with copious scoring DIF was making no headway through the thin top vinyl layer. And it was next to impossible to 'peel' this layer to get down to the glue/paper layer.

So I went and rented a commercial grade wallpaper steamer. Quite a bear to work with, but worth it. I wound up having to make 2 passes as I worked. The 1st over the printed vinyl layer was sufficient to get that layer to delaminate enough to peel cleanly and quickly. The 2nd pass got the paper and the glue.

On the glue/paper layer I found it was better to wait @ 30 to 60 seconds for the area to cool a bit before scraping. You have to be very careful with the commercial grade machines since they get very hot. I needed that cool down time to prevent damaging the original coat of paint beneath the wallpaper.

How much wait time will depend on how hot your steamer gets, as well as how the wall was prepped prior to the wallpaper application, and the quality of the paper and glue. You'll find out fairly quickly how long you need to wait before scraping.

Thanks everyone. I got frustrated the other day and decided I would just hire someone to do it since I will be hiring someone to put the new wallpaper up. It bugs me when I can't do something though, so I may go back and try it again. The steamer helped, but I still pulled some of the wall off underneath and I know that's not a good thing.

Laurie

flattie and Laurie
If you take soap and water in a spray bottle (I use natural soap, but dish washing detergent will work too) really saturate the paper 'backing' , then apply the steam to the saturated area, let sit few a few minutes, and use a wall paper scraper, it will come off pretty easy. I am still doing mine..little at a time, as we know it's a lot of work and we need to go slow. One section at a time... (I am glad I am not alone in doing this right now.. )

Laurie
Is your walls painted or primed under your paper? If not, this may be the reason it's tearing your sheet rock... it will make it much more difficult to remove...if this is not the case, then try the soap and water /steamer and it should really come off with ease.

back to cooking! ..have a wonderful Thanksgiving.. Ree

Ree,

These walls had wallpaper on them from the start so there shouldn't be paint under there, but there are sections where it looks like I see paint. The builder didn't prep any of our walls before putting the wallpaper on, so it was even tougher the last time I had to remove the wallpaper. My aunt is the one that wallpapered it and she told me to put sizing on it, so it would be easier to remove the next time. I guess I was expecting it to just pull right off. It has been on there for about 16 years though. Once I get it off, should I paint or prime the walls so it will be easier to remove the next time, because I'm sure there will be a next time?

Luckily my mom is cooking, so I just have to show up and eat :) BTW, I found out yesterday that I got the job!

Laurie