General Tips

The trick to removing an old wallcovering is to use tools and techniques that won't damage the surface or shred the wallcovering, while dissolving the adhesive that bonds the wallcovering to the wall.

Wallcovering adhesives are based on simple starch binders. For easy removal, mix a special solution that will attack the starch bonds between the wall and the covering.

In my Secret Stripping Solution (see Page 3 for details), water is the vehicle that carries enzymes (the remover) that eat starch. Liquid fabric softener is a surfactant that makes the water wetter. When you add vinegar (a mild acid) and the baking soda (a base) together, they create a carbonic gas reaction that turbo-charges the solution. Placing a plastic sheet over the wall forces saturated solution through the holes made by the Paper Tiger.

The solution is trapped under a sealed, nonporous plastic sheet that prevents it from drying, so that the water-based solution can slowly break down the starch bonds that hold the wallcovering to the surface. TSP is an alkaline salt with a low pH value that needs to be neutralized by a mild acid rinsing agent, such as white vinegar.

The advantage of a gel remover is that it clings to the paper. It is especially effective for removing borders. Perforate the surface in the same manner as for wet removal (see next page), then apply the gel. Give it time to work properly in dissolving the wallcovering adhesive. Clean and rinse properly.

Steam removal is more dangerous than other methods, and it can damage the drywall behind the paper. If you do use a steam remover, perforate the surface in the same manner as for wet removal and then follow the manufacturer's instructions.