What’s the easiest way to remove wallpaper border?

Removing wallpaper border can be a tricky task, but with the right tools and techniques, it doesn’t have to be overly difficult. Here’s a step-by-step guide to removing wallpaper border in the easiest way possible.

What You’ll Need

Before starting the wallpaper border removal process, make sure you have the following supplies on hand:

• Wallpaper steamer – A wallpaper steamer heats up water to produce steam, which helps soften the wallpaper adhesive. This makes the border easier to peel off.
• Scoring tool – A scoring tool is used to scratch the surface of the wallpaper, which allows the steam to penetrate more effectively.
• Spray bottle with water – Use this to wet the wallpaper once steaming loosens the glue. The water helps saturate the paper.
• Plastic scraper – A plastic scraper can help lift up the softened wallpaper border.
• Masking tape – Use tape to secure plastic sheeting over surfaces you don’t want to get wet or damaged during steaming.
• Plastic sheeting – This protects surfaces like floors or furniture from excess moisture.
• Step stool – Use a step stool to reach wallpaper near the ceiling.
• Dust mask – Wear a dust mask to avoid breathing in particles as you scrape off border.

Prep the Area

Before steaming, prep the room to protect surfaces and make the process go more smoothly:

• Clear the area of furniture and décor that could get damaged by moisture and steam.
• Cover floors, countertops, cabinets, etc near the wallpaper with plastic sheeting. Tape down the edges of the plastic with masking tape.
• Remove outlet and switch plate covers in the room so you can steam behind them.
• Take down any curtains or blinds on the walls so they don’t get damaged.

Score the Border

Scoring the wallpaper surface before steaming is crucial. Use a scoring tool or very sharp utility knife to scratch the surface of the border. Make sure not to cut into the drywall underneath. The scoring creates tiny perforations in the wallpaper surface so the steam can penetrate and loosen the glue more effectively.

Apply Steam

Once the room is prepped and border scored, it’s time to start steaming. Work in sections for best results:

• Fill the wallpaper steamer reservoir with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Turn the steamer on and wait for it to fully heat up and start producing steam.
• Hold the steam plate flat against the wallpaper border, slowly moving it over the surface. Keep the plate 1-2 inches away from the wall at all times.
• Steam a 2-3 foot section, concentrating on seams and edges but also steaming over the surface.
• As you steam, use a plastic scraper to lightly lift up border edges and test if the paper is loosening. But don’t try peeling yet.
• Once the section is thoroughly steamed, move on to an adjacent section, overlapping the areas you steamed by a few inches.

Peel Off Wallpaper

After steaming a section for at least a few minutes, the adhesive should be softened enough that you can start peeling. Take these steps to remove the border:

• Work from the top of the wall down. Lift up the upper edge of the border with the plastic scraper.
• Peel it downward in a slow, steady motion. Apply light pressure as you peel rather than yanking hard, which could tear the wallpaper.
• If the border isn’t peeling easily, apply more steam and wait a few minutes before trying again.
• Use the scraper to scrape off any adhesive residue left on the wall after removing paper.
• Wipe the wall down with a wet sponge to remove excess glue and prep it for new wallpaper or paint.

Keep steaming and peeling away sections until all the border is removed. Rinse and re-fill the wallpaper steamer as needed if stripping a large area.

Tips for Easier Removal

Follow these tips and tricks for easier wallpaper border removal:

• Work slowly and methodically, steaming border until saturated before peeling.
• Try steaming perpendicular to the border direction if it’s not loosening well when steamed parallel.
• Spray the steamed surface with water before peeling to further penetrate the glue.
• Start peeling from a loose seam or edge if possible, rather than the middle of a section.
• Use a plastic putty knife if a scraper alone isn’t lifting the border.
• If the border tears during removal, steam longer before peeling the remaining paper.

Alternative Removal Options

While steaming is usually the easiest and least damaging method, some tough wallpaper adhesives don’t respond well. Here are a couple alternative options if steaming fails:

• Chemical remover: Wallpaper remover solution helps dissolve adhesive so border peels up easier. Apply it directly to wallpaper and allow to soak in before scraping away border.
• Hot air gun: A hot air gun heats and loosens glue, allowing you to peel off border. Move the air gun slowly over the surface to prevent damage.
• Scoring and water: Heavily score surface and spray with water if no steamer is available. Let soak before trying to scrape away border.

Tricks for Avoiding Damage

Removing wallpaper border risks damaging drywall underneath if you aren’t careful. Here are some tips to keep walls intact:

• Never use sharp blades to slice border or scrape off remaining paper/glue. Only use plastic scrapers.
• Apply steam directly to the wallpaper, not the drywall underneath.
• Peel slowly and stop if you meet lots of resistance. Re-steam instead of tearing paper.
• Wipe off adhesive with a barely-damp sponge rather than scrubbing hard.
• Rinse sponge frequently so glue residue doesn’t scratch drywall surface.

Preparing Walls for New Wallpaper

Once you’ve removed the existing wallpaper border, a bit more prep may be needed if you plan to apply new wallpaper:

• Wash walls with TSP cleaner if adhesive residue remains. This removes grime so new wallpaper adheres better.
• Lightly sand walls to smooth any leftover glue bumps or damaged drywall.
• Fill any gouges in the drywall with spackle and sand smooth when dry.
• Prime walls with latex primer to create a uniform surface for wallpaper.
• Apply wallpaper paste and hang new wallpaper border or full wallcovering.

Summary of Steps

Here’s a quick summary of the entire wallpaper border removal process:

1. Gather supplies: steamer, scraper, plastic sheeting, etc.
2. Prep room by moving furniture and covering surfaces.
3. Score border with a utility knife.
4. Steam border until adhesive softens.
5. Peel off wallpaper slowly.
6. Wipe off residual glue with damp sponge.
7. Fill damaged drywall areas if needed.
8. Prime and apply new wallpaper if desired.

Conclusion

Removing wallpaper border can be tedious but breaking the project into steps makes it more manageable. Scoring, steaming, peeling slowly, and cleaning up adhesive carefully are the keys to success. With the right technique and tools, that dated border can come down quickly and cleanly. Just take your time and you’ll have a smooth, fresh wall surface ready for new wallpaper or a coat of paint.