How to Remove Wallpaper Glue to Avoid a Sticky Mess

 

Get rid of stubborn wallpaper glue with these simple methods.

Wallpaper adds personality and pattern to a room, but as it ages, it can start to fade or peel. In some cases, it's necessary to remove and update wallpaper to revitalize your home. Getting rid of the old wallpaper is the first step in the process, but before the walls can be painted or new wallpaper can be put up, the glue and any remaining residue must be removed. There are several straightforward methods for removing wallpaper glue, but this process can be time-consuming, so it's a good idea to put aside three or four hours. Use this guide to learn several methods for how to remove wallpaper glue.

Before You Begin

Removing wallpaper glue can be messy, so before starting this project, prepare the area.

Remove as much furniture from the room as possible, and lay down drop cloths on the floor and over any remaining furniture or appliances to protect the contents of the room. Apply painters tape over any electrical outlets, light switches, or vents and turn off the power to the room at the breaker panel.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Bucket or spray bottle
• Gloves
• Sponges
• Towels or rags
• Putty knife
• Utility knife
• Heat gun

Materials

• Drop cloth
• Painters tape
• Fabric softener
• Liquid dish soap
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Commercial wallpaper glue remover
• Trisodium phosphate (TSP)

Instructions

How to Remove Wallpaper Glue with Baking Soda, Soap, and Vinegar

1. Prepare the Room and Cleaning Solution

Prepare the room by laying down drop cloths and applying painters tape to the electrical outlets, light switches, and vents. After the room is prepared, mix hot water with dish soap in a bucket and add 1 Tbsp. of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar per gallon of water.

2.      Apply the Cleaning Solution

Use a sponge or spray bottle to apply the cleaning solution to the wallpaper glue. Ideally, the area where you are working should be damp but not soaking wet after applying the cleaning solution. Give the solution a few minutes to loosen the wallpaper glue before proceeding.

3. Remove the Wallpaper Glue

When the glue is soft, use a damp towel or rag to wipe it away. This should get rid of most of the wallpaper glue, but if any glue is still stuck to the wall, use a putty knife to scrape away the remaining residue.

1. Rinse the Walls

After removing the wallpaper glue, rinse the wall with warm water to remove any remaining cleaning solution and let the wall fully dry. Repeat this process as you work around the room in small, easy-to-manage sections.

How to Remove Wallpaper Glue with Fabric Softener

1. Score the Wallpaper Glue

For the best results, use a utility knife to make shallow crisscrossing cuts into the wallpaper glue. Make sure not to press too hard; you don’t want to damage the walls. Next, rinse the walls with hot water and remove any loose or peeling wallpaper glue.

2.      Mix and Apply the Fabric Softener Solution

Mix equal parts warm water and liquid fabric softener in a spray bottle or bucket. Apply the fabric softener solution to the wallpaper glue. If you use a bucket instead of a spray bottle, wet the walls with a sponge. Give the solution 10 to 15 minutes to soften the wallpaper glue before proceeding.

3. Remove Wallpaper Glue

Use a towel or rag to wipe the wallpaper glue off the wall. This process should remove most of the residue, but you can use a putty knife to scrape away any stubborn pieces of wallpaper glue that remain stuck to the wall.

1. Rinse the Walls

After the wallpaper glue has been completely removed, rinse the walls with warm water to remove any remaining cleaning solution, and let the walls dry. Repeat this process as you work around the room in small, easy-to-manage sections.

How to Remove Wallpaper Glue with a Commercial Remover

1. Apply the Commercial Remover

Commercial wallpaper glue removers are an effective option since they are designed for this purpose. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer to apply the commercial wallpaper glue remover, and wait the recommended amount of time before proceeding.

2.      Remove the Wallpaper Glue

After the commercial remover has had enough time to soften the wallpaper glue, wipe it off with a towel or a rag. Use a putty knife to scrape away any wallpaper glue that remains stuck to the walls, but be careful to avoid damaging the wall.

3. Rinse the Walls

Rinse away any leftover commercial remover with warm water and a sponge, and give the walls time to dry. Repeat this process until all the wallpaper glue has been removed and the walls are clean.

How to Remove Wallpaper with TSP

1. Prepare the TSP Solution

Trisodium phosphate (TSP) is a heavy-duty cleaner that is usually available at local home improvement or hardware stores. However, it isn't an environmentally friendly product, so this method is only recommended if other methods have not worked as expected.

Mix a small amount of TSP into a large bucket of hot water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle for easier application, or work with the bucket and a sponge.

2.      Apply the TSP Solution

Spray the TSP solution on the wallpaper glue and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes or until the glue softens. You can also apply the TSP solution with a sponge, but be careful with the amount of water to avoid soaking the walls.

3. Remove the Wallpaper Glue

After the glue has softened, wipe it away with a towel or rag. This should get rid of most of the glue. Use a putty knife to scrape away any remaining wallpaper glue residue that may still be stuck to the walls.

4. Rinse the Walls

Use warm water and a clean sponge or cloth to rinse the walls after all the wallpaper glue has been removed. Let the walls dry. If the TSP solution is not rinsed off, it may damage the walls. Work in small sections, repeating this process as needed until all the wallpaper glue has been removed and the walls are clean.

How to Remove Wallpaper Glue with a Heat Gun

1. Heat the Wallpaper Glue

A heat gun increases the temperature of the wallpaper glue until it loosens. This method takes more time, but mixing or applying a cleaning solution to the walls is unnecessary. Instead, turn on the heat gun and begin heating the wallpaper glue.

2. Remove the Wallpaper Glue

When the wallpaper glue has softened, wipe it off the walls with a damp towel or rag. Then, use a putty knife to scrape off any excess glue that remains stuck to the walls.

3.      Rinse the Walls

After the wallpaper glue is completely removed, rinse the walls with warm water to remove any remaining residue and let the walls dry. Repeat this process as needed until all the glue has been removed and the walls are clean.