How to remove old vinyl wallpaper from the walls yourself

Although removing old vinyl wallpaper may seem difficult, you can do it yourself if you take the proper approach. Eliminating the outdated vinyl covering is the first step, regardless of whether you want to paint your walls or update your room with new wallpaper. Although it’s a task that calls for some perseverance and the appropriate equipment, it’s absolutely doable.

Vinyl wallpaper is a common option for many homes due to its water resistance and durability. But the same characteristics can also make it difficult to get rid of. There are a few ways to successfully remove the wallpaper without causing damage to your walls, but the process entails releasing the adhesive holding the wallpaper in place.

We’ll walk you through the process of removing old vinyl wallpaper in this guide, along with a list of tools you’ll need and helpful hints to make the process go more smoothly. You’ll be prepared to proceed to the following phase of your wall restoration project by the end.

Method Description
Soapy Water Mix warm water with dish soap, apply to the wallpaper, let it soak, and scrape off.
Steam Use a wallpaper steamer to loosen the adhesive, then peel away the wallpaper.
Scoring Tool Score the wallpaper surface to allow water or steam to penetrate, making removal easier.
Vinegar Solution Combine vinegar with water, apply to the wallpaper, wait for it to soak, and scrape off.
Dry Stripping Lift the edges of the wallpaper and pull it off without using water or steam.

Features of vinyl wallpaper

The method used in their production has an impact on the characteristics of vinyl wallpaper. In order to accomplish this, vinyl is applied multiple times to specially prepared paper using unique printers that produce unique patterns on the canvases. The strength of the material increases with the number of layers.

Among the material’s benefits are:

  • Affordable price.
  • Variety of designs.
  • Ecological cleanliness. Materials are made on a paper basis, using only natural components, which makes them harmless, and additional treatment with special compounds that prevent the appearance of mold, protects a person from dangerous diseases.
  • Strength and Durability.
  • Resistance to the negative effects of temperature, moisture and light.
  • Can be cleaned using detergents.
  • High density structure of the top layer.

These wallpapers come in four varieties:

  • Foamed vinyl. Made on a paper base, which is covered with structural vinyl. Due to the presence of relief, they visually mask defects on the walls and have a high density.
  • Made from hard vinyl. The outer layer of the material is quite thin, but its high hardness provides the canvas with resistance to various damages.
  • Made from smooth vinyl. Such materials are less dense, but at the same time they are quite easy to stick on walls.
  • Vinyl with silk screen printing. The bottom layer of the material consists of paper, and the structure of the top layer contains silk threads, which in texture resembles silk fabric.

The techniques for attaching it to the walls and, if needed, removing it are determined by the material’s peculiarities.

Preparation for work

The area needs to be cleaned before vinyl wallpaper is removed.

  • If possible, remove all furniture or cover it with a film to protect it from dirt.
  • The floors are covered with polyethylene and covered with newspapers on top. This will prevent slipping on the surface.
  • Place a wet rag in front of the door to prevent dust from being carried throughout the house.
  • Electricity is turned off to avoid accidents.
  • It is better to completely remove the lighting fixtures on the wall.
  • Wallpaper under sockets and switches is removed.

Prior to hastily removing vinyl wallpaper, you ought to get the following equipment:

  • Roller with special spikes or “wallpaper tiger”.
  • A basin with warm water.
  • Dishwashing detergent, when added to water, makes it easier to remove the coating.
  • Foam sponge, roller or spray bottle.
  • Hard spatula.
  • Masking tape for sealing sockets.
  • Gloves.
  • Reliable stepladder.

With the correct equipment and methods, removing old vinyl wallpaper yourself can be a simple task. Using a putty knife, first loosen the wallpaper’s edges before carefully peeling it off the wall. Use a wallpaper steamer or a warm water and mild detergent mixture to soften the adhesive if the wallpaper is particularly difficult to remove. Work slowly and in sections, being careful not to harm the wall underneath.

How to remove old wallpaper with water

It’s very simple to remove simple paper wallpaper (see. How to remove old paper wallpaper without issues: thoroughly wet the surface and let it soak for a while until the wallpaper starts to peel off. Next, slowly and carefully scrape the sheets off the wall using a spatula or scraper.

But given that vinyl wallpaper has qualities like resistance to high humidity, how can it be removed from walls? Vinyl wallpaper can be removed from the wall in a few different methods. It is preferable to use a wallpaper tiger, a roller with metal spikes, when removing wallpaper by hand.

It won’t be very convenient if you use a metal brush or a regular knife.

Guidelines for taking down wallpaper:

  • The roller perforates the top layer of wallpaper.
  • The walls are generously moistened with water.

Suggestion: To dissolve the wallpaper glue more quickly, the wallpaper is moistened with a combination of dishwashing detergent and plain water.

Surfaces are wetted using a sprayer, roller, sponge, or ordinary cloth. However, avoid using too much water as this could harm the wall coverings and flooring.

  • After impregnation of the material, you can begin to remove the coating. You need to remove old canvases from the bottom up, and remove the remaining pieces of material with a spatula.
  • If necessary, the areas are wetted again and removed.

Advice: If the vinyl wallpaper’s top layer sticks to the surface firmly and won’t come off, leave it in place.

Other methods for removing vinyl wallpaper

  • Using steam. For this method you can use:
  1. steam generator, as in the photo;
  2. iron with steam function.

  1. the top layer is perforated;
  2. under the influence of steam, the glue begins to swell;
  3. wallpaper is quickly removed from the wall.

Using this technique, you can quickly take down vinyl wallpaper without causing more dirt to enter the space. As an alternative, you could iron with a wet cloth. A moist rag is used to iron walls. It will have a similar effect to steam.

  • Using wallpaper glue.

The following are added to the water using this method:

  1. a specialized liquid that helps remove vinyl wallpaper;
  2. a small amount of glue.

When removing outdated wallpaper is not feasible, the following technique is employed:

  1. the walls are covered with the solution;
  2. they are left in this state for two to three hours.

You can remove old wallpaper in full strips with these kinds of operations.

Suggestion: In extreme situations, sandpaper, an electric grinder, or a metal brush should be used to remove the wallpaper. Every procedure needs to be carried out cautiously to avoid breaking the wall.

While removing old vinyl wallpaper may initially seem difficult, it can actually be quite simple if you have the right equipment and know how. You can clean the walls and get them ready for a new look by carefully following the steps.

Always take your time, especially if you are working with difficult areas. In order to prevent damage to the wall surface underneath, persistence and patience are essential. Using a scoring tool, steam, or a basic water solution won’t hurt anything as long as the adhesive is released.

After removing the wallpaper, you’re left with a blank canvas, prepared for your upcoming undertaking. The work you put into carefully removing the old vinyl will pay off in the end, whether you decide to paint, re-wallpaper, or apply another kind of finish.

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Veronica Gerasimova

Interior designer, author of books on the design of residential premises. I will help you make your home not only functional, but also beautiful.

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