How to Remove Wallpaper From Plaster Walls
- 1). Pour the water and vinegar solution consisting of part vinegar to two parts warm water in a bucket.
- 2). Score the wallpaper. Be careful not to apply too much pressure. You don’t want to damage the plaster wall beneath the paper.
- 3). Apply the warm water-vinegar solution to the wallpaper using a sponge. Let it sit for a minute and then apply more water/vinegar solution to the wallpaper. Allow it to soak for a few minutes to loosen the wallpaper glue. It’s best to begin this process at one of the seams. It will make it easier for the solution to penetrate.
- 4). Gently pull at the seam of the wallpaper to see if the glue is loosened enough to remove the wallpaper. Apply a little more solution if you find the wallpaper difficult to remove. Allow it to soak through. Take your time and pull the wallpaper gently to prevent or minimize damage to the plaster. Use the scraper to help remove the wallpaper.
- 5). For truly stubborn areas, apply a wallpaper removal solvent. The chemicals in the solvent loosen the glue without damaging the plaster wall beneath it. Once the glue is loose, gently scrape and remove the wallpaper.
- 6). Patch the plaster if needed. Even the most gentle and careful removal of wallpaper can result in a few dings and scratches in the plaster. Unfortunately, the only way to make things look good as new is to patch and sand the affected areas.