I have been in my new house for about 4 months now, and today the appreciation for my hard work hit me like a gentle wave as I walked through the house. I spent many weekends and weeknights pealing wallpaper, painting various rooms/walls, and working on the trim (and I still have one room to go!). My wonderful kitchen was wallpapered with "fancy wallpaper", (technically accurate term, I know) that was supposed to be "easy" to remove. Um, it wasn't. I'd get the outer-paper (decorative side) off, and there was the under- paper. I'd get the under-paper off, and BOOM!, there was the glue. I had so many wonderful people give me great suggestions as to what was going to make life easy. I love them all dearly.
Not a single one was the "magic" solution.
Here's what I was told to try:
- fabric softener in hot water with vinegar
- just hot water and fabric softener
- a clothing steamer should cut it
- heavy duty steamer for removing wallpaper (with the large and small apparatus)
- wall paper scoring tool, then spray with vinegar/water mixture
I tried it all.
Literally, all of the suggestions.
What ended up working the best out of all of the options, was the heavy duty steamer, after scoring the walls. So, to make your life easier, just buy the steamer & the scoring device (if you keep it in good condition and don't plan on using it again, you can return it OR sell it). See the Sanity-Saving Steps below.
Sanity Saving Steps
1) If you're like me and have hardwood floors that you want to protect, cover the floor with either a plastic or painters drop cloth; extra protection line with rags along baseboards too (if you do the plastic, you can tape it to the baseboard.
2) Score the wall paper - too much pressure and you'll get to the wall (not good!), too little pressure and you'll just get the outer paper. Basically apply more pressure than you think is necessary.
3) Fill the reservoir of your steamer with water and plug in
4) While it's heating up stretch (shoulders, neck, and back)
5) Get your ladder, putty knive(s), rags, and box cutter ready
6) Tunes blasting? you better have something that makes you happy going
7) Pick your first section and let the party begin
Know that you're most likely going to feel resentful halfway through. That's ok. You still have to finish what you started.
After the wall paper (both outer and under) are removed, you will most likely have to remove the glue. This is the nasty part that no one tells you about. It's literally like you're removing snot/mucus from the wall. I'd suggest wearing some kind of disposable gloves because the glue gets EVERYWHERE. After all of this, sand the walls (with a very light/thin sandpaper) and wipe the walls down with a damp (not wet, yes there's a difference) rag.
I'd say wait at least a day before painting - this'll give you time to check for any spots that need another once over of sanding, and ensures that the walls are dry before painting.
Remember, you CAN do this! And, you're going to feel so very accomplished after you're finished.
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