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This article will tell you everything you need to know about removing wallpaper, including a full step-by-step guide and a list of all the tools and supplies you’ll need.

Is it Necessary to Remove Wallpaper?

You might have to remove the old wallpaper before you can put up the new one if you want to re-wallpaper a room.

It is necessary to remove the existing wallpaper before painting a room a different colour if you would like to avoid using wallpaper.

Tips on How to Remove Wallpaper Yourself

Wallpaper can be taken down in a number of different ways. Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to get rid of wallpaper in different ways.

The best way to get rid of wallpaper will depend on what you want to do and where you are working. The score, soak, and strip process works best for small spaces, while steam strippers work best for bigger rooms.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get rid of wallpaper:

Cut, Soak, and Strip

Step 1: Score

Use your Stanley knife to make small cuts in the plaster. Be careful not to hurt the plaster that’s below.

Step 2: Soak

Next, use a sponge and hot water to soak the paper.

Step 3: 5 five minutes

Let the wallpaper soak for five minutes.

Step 4: Strip

Then, use your stripping knife to cut into the folds and pull the wallpaper away from the plaster behind it.

Step 5: Remove wallpaper

Keep doing these steps until you’ve removed the whole piece of paper.

Chemical Stripper

Step 1: Chemical mix

Check the manufacturer’s instructions and create your chemical mix.

Step 2: Wear PPE

When working with the chemical, you should wear protective goggles, gloves, a face mask, and clothes that keeps you safe.

Step 3: Spread chemical mix

You should spread your chemical mix on the wallpaper you want to get rid of.

Step 4: Time to soak

Let the mix sit on the paper for a while. Read the directions from the maker to find out exactly how long you need to leave it alone.

Step 5: Strip the wallpaper

Then remove the wall paper. Keep doing these steps until you’ve removed the whole piece of paper.

Steam Stripper

Step 1: Fill the tank

Put water in the steam stripper’s tank and turn it on.

Step 2: Use Plate

You should press the plate against the wallpaper you want to remove.

Step 3: 15 Seconds

It shouldn’t take more than 15 seconds for the steam to get through the paper. But make sure you check the directions from the maker to find out the exact time. Once this is done, just use your stripping knife to pull the paper off. It should be easy.

Step 4: Don’t hold too long

Don’t leave the steam plate on one spot for too long, or it could damage the plaster below.

Step 5: Re-steam

If some parts won’t come off, steam them again and try again.

Step 6: Remove wallpaper

Follow these steps along the whole length of the paper you want to get rid of.

Tools to Remove Wallpaper

It may depend on the type of wallpaper cleaning that you need to use different tools. All of the following tools will help you get rid of different kinds of wallpaper:

Cut, Soak, and Strip

• Bucket
• Sponge
• Stanley knife
• Stripping knife

Chemical Stripper

• Bucket
• Chemical wallpaper remover
• Roller
• Stripping knife

Steam Stripper

• Steam stripper machine
• Stripping knife

Safety Gear to Remove Wallpaper

Here is a list of safety gear that you should have when you remove wallpaper:

• Dust mask
• Gloves
• Safety goggles or glasses

Everything you need to remove wallpaper

That depends on what kind of cleaning you want to do. You might need chemical wallpaper remover.

If you want to change the room’s decor after taking down the wallpaper. After removing the wallpaper, you might want to have the things you need to start decorating ready.

If you want to decorate, you might need paint or wallpaper, based on what you want to do.

Also, you might need a little plaster or filling to fix any imperfections in the wall before you paint it again.

Preparing to Remove Wallpaper

You will need to get rid of everything that is in the way before you can remove the wallpaper. Getting rid of as much stuff as you can will give you more room to do the job.

To keep the floor clean while you remove wallpaper, you might want to put down some dust sheets. It will also be a lot easier to clean up afterward.

Various types of wallpaper

There are several kinds of wallpaper. The steps above can be used to remove any of them, even if they look different. Here is a list of various types of wallpaper you might see in UK homes:

Foil Wallpaper

The downside of foil wallpaper is that it will show up flaws in the wall because it is often very shiny. It could also look different in different lights, which some people might not like.

Before putting up foil wallpaper, the wall might need to be re-plastered so that any flaws don’t stand out.

Printed Wallpaper

You can find this kind of wallpaper in a lot of different styles and colours. It has pictures on it that were made with ink.

Because of this, this kind of wallpaper wouldn’t work in a kitchen or bathroom because the ink can smudge or change shape when it gets wet. It’s also easy for printed wallpaper to tear.

Vinyl Walpaper

Vinyl wallpaper is usually printed paper that has a layer of vinyl on top of it. This makes it last longer than regular printed paper. You can use this kind of wallpaper in both kitchens and baths because it can handle water.

It’s also easy to clean because it can be washed. In the UK, vinyl wallpaper is quickly becoming one of the most popular types of wallpaper.

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