removing wallpaper- help?

Does anyone know how to remove wallpaper easily? or is it just such a pain in the butt that we should hire a painter to do it (and anyone know what that would cost?)?

Re: removing wallpaper- help?

Well, it's a pain in the azz, but definitely doable. We had plaster walls, and I think that made it easier, but I found the process to be the same on the few spots that we have drywall on. This is what we did:

Tried to peel the wallpaper off when it was dry, leaving just the backing on the wall.
Sprayed the wall with DIF and spread with a damp sponge.
Let it sit for 3 or 4 minutes, then remove backing with a large paint scraper.

It really worked well. I swear by DIF. We used it on 6 rooms in this house, and are embarking on a 7th. HTH!

Re: removing wallpaper- help?

Re: removing wallpaper- help?

what is DIF?

we used some cheap VO5 hair conditioner and warm water in a spray bottle, soak it and then peal or scrap off

it worked pretty well

Re: removing wallpaper- help?

Vinegar and Water!!!
Our entire dining room and kitchen was covered in wallpaper...such a pain in the a$$ but it worked. We even rented a steamer from Home Depot and the Vinegar and Water worked better. Put it in a spray bottle. The DIF works well also but I found the Vinegar to work a bit faster.

Re: removing wallpaper- help?

Re: removing wallpaper- help?

I did this a few weeks ago using hot water, vinegar and baking soda. I used 2 cups hot water, 2 cups vinegar, 1 cup baking soda. We peeled off the top layer first, then spread the mixture on the backing with a sponge, let it sit for about 15 minutes, and then it came off pretty easily (some peeled off, some had to be scraped).

Re: removing wallpaper- help?

I had a whole house of wallpaper - I would def hire someone to do it - it's such a pain and not enjoyable at all. The paper is the easy part - it's the glue that's a nightmare! we used everything people suggested. I have to say that spray Pirana was the best - it's Lowe's version of DIF. I hated DIF and it ruined so many rollers - the spray pirana was the best. And a steamer.

Re: removing wallpaper- help?

we used DIF as well... worked great. Also, if you don't want to spend money on DIF.. because if you need a lot.. it could get pricey... if you have a steamer that will work also. And of course.. some elbow grease! My house had wallpaper that they painted over... it was horrendous!

Re: removing wallpaper- help?

Grrrrr, I hate wallpaper. After a week of trying to remove it from our kitchen we decided to hire painters . We got money back at our closing & were very happy with our decision to let them paint the house & remove any and all wallpaper

We tried DIF, fabric softener, vinegar & water, you name it. I think the glue was mixed with kyrptonite.

Re: removing wallpaper- help?

What is DIF and where can i get it? we are using dish soap and water and its coming off but its pain!! This DIF stuff seems to be the thing to use

Message edited 8/29/2009 8:04:10 PM.

Re: removing wallpaper- help?

it all depends on the glue and year it was put up...we had some really easy walls and 2 rooms that no amount of DIF and/or hot water worked. I finlly rented a steamer and it worked when nothing else would.