Tips for Removing Wallpaper Glue from Walls
How To Remove Wallpaper Glue
By: Alyssa S.
Updated: September 17, 2024
Maybe it’s time to redecorate or get rid of that unsightly wallpaper that’s been lingering in your grandma’s living room. Perhaps the wallpaper has received water damage and you need to replace it. Or you’ve moved into a new house and your preferred decor style clashes with the previous owners.
Whatever the reason, it’s time to take down the wallpaper and make way for something new, such as a fresh paint job or a wallpaper mural more suited to your interests and needs. You finally go through the effort of peeling and removing the decades-old paper and, after spending a great deal of energy and time, you’re finally done — right?
Not so fast. Before you can start painting or installing new wallpaper, you need to get rid of the wallpaper glue that’s still stuck to the walls. We often hear the question of how to get wallpaper glue off drywall, plaster and other materials. Although it’s a time-consuming process, it’s fairly easy to remove wallpaper glue from walls. Here are some step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to make the task at hand a bit easier.
Wall Paper Glue Removal Tools
Before you begin, you’ll need the right tools and supplies for removing wallpaper glue.
- Plastic Tarps or Drop Cloths
- Painter’s Tape
- Gloves
- Bucket
- Hot Water
- Liquid Dish Soap
- Baking Soda
- Vinegar
- Spray Bottle (optional)
- Sponges
- Clean Towels or Rags
- Wallpaper Scraper or Putty Knife
- Garbage Bags
1. Prepare the Room
Remove all furniture from the room or move everything away from the walls and toward the center of the room. Place your tarps or drop cloths on the floor to protect the floors from water damage and paste residue. Using painter’s tape, cover all electrical outlets, light switches, and vents in the room. As an extra precaution, turn off the power to the room.
2. Prepare Cleaning Solution
Create your wallpaper glue remover solution by combining hot water, a few drops of liquid dish soap and a tablespoon of baking soda in a bucket and mixing well. If the adhesive on the walls is particularly stubborn, add one cup of vinegar for every gallon of water used.
Tip: Transfer the cleaning solution into a spray bottle as an alternative to a sponge and bucket. A spray bottle is particularly useful for hard-to-reach areas.
3. Soften the Wallpaper Glue
Wearing rubber gloves, soak a sponge in the cleaning solution. Rub the solution onto a section of the wall and let it sit for a few moments. (If you’re using a spray bottle, you can directly spray the solution on the wall.) You should notice that the solution has reactivated and softened the adhesive. Wipe the wallpaper glue residue with a clean towel or rag.
Tip: Don’t soak the entire wall. It’s best to work in small sections so you can remove the wallpaper glue while it is soft.
4. Scrape the Glue Off
Once you’ve removed most of the softened wallpaper glue, take a wallpaper scraper or putty knife and scrape away the adhesive. This is particularly useful for any persistent sections. Try to get every bit of wallpaper glue off the walls, as even just a tiny bit leftover on the walls can raise challenges for a future paint job or wallpaper installation. Dispose of the paste residue in garbage bags.
Continue steps 3 and 4 until you’ve thoroughly removed the wallpaper glue from all affected walls.
5. Remove the Cleaning Solution
Once the wallpaper glue has been removed, dampen a clean rag with water and wipe the cleaning solution off the walls. Dry the walls with a clean towel or rag.
6. Clean Up the Room
Allow the room to air out and the walls to completely dry. We recommend opening any windows or using a fan to increase airflow. The walls should feel smooth when you’re done. If you feel any rough or sticky spots, repeat the removal process on these areas.
If you have remaining energy, proceed with painting the room or installing a new wallpaper mural. If not, remove the painter’s tape and drop cloths, move all the furniture back into the room, and pat yourself on the back. You successfully removed wallpaper adhesive and lived to tell the tale!
Other Wall Mural Tips
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