I tried this method a few weeks ago, and let me tell you it works. I even had a bathroom that had three layers of paper. So glad I found this video. Thanks a lot . 👍🏼
I'm currently in the process of prepping our home for sale and came to the conclusion (via our realtor) that the 25+ year old wallpaper needed to come down. I was a bit concerned after hearing the horror stories of removing wallpaper so I figured I would do as much research as possible to ease the pain. After watching your video, I decided to give your method a shot and it worked amazingly well. Thank you! You made a seemingly daunting task become a relatively easy one. My experience so far: -Patience! -Peeling the top layer of paper off is much like peeling a sticky price label off a book. Don't rush and if your lucky like me, the entire piece will come off in one sheet -Spraying the backing layer with hot water (hot tap water in a spray bottle), this may need a couple passes as I found the paper would begin to dry and the glue would re set. If this happens, just spray more water on and wait a minute or two for the glue to become wet again. -Latex gloves make the entire job easier. Thanks again for your help and very instructive video.
I love this guy....NO BS!!!! I love his honest options and how he shares my passion for the hatred towards the DIY networks that are really commercials and not help.
Your my Hero! I have been putting my wall paper removal off for a year. The last time I followed other methods and I tore up my walls creating an extensive repair! With your method, the key was the hottest water I could keep in the spray bottle. When the water got warm I changed it keep it hot. Yesterday I had the room done in 2 hours and today I am ready for primer and paint! TY!!!!!
Thanks so much! Just followed your instructions and did an entire bedroom wall in less than 30 mins with no mess. Really great that no chemicals were needed
Thank you so much for making this video! I have a cabin that has very thick wall paper placed directly on to the dry wall from the 80’s. You have given me the confidence I needed to do this task myself. Not to mention, saved me a bit of money! Now, off to learn how to texture bare drywall. Thanks again!
Just did this last night! First time ever removing wallpaper, and although I had quite a bit to do, and it did take awhile, learning this technique certainly kept me from losing my mind and giving up at 1am! It was so nice waking up this morning and seeing that the job was done, and that I did it myself. Thanks for the tips!
10 different videos and articles later and I find the right one. A spray bottle, putty knife, scrubby sponge and a bucket of warm water to wash off the glue residue - it's even getting the 2nd layer of backing paper from the previous wallpaper job that they covered over - I just let it soak for 20 minutes and it prettymuch peels right off. Awesome tip! Thanks..
For those of you that struggled with pasty backing paper that had to be scraped off instead of peeled off, you either used too much water or didn't wait long enough before you started scraping. Try this: Lightly spray down the backing paper with one coat of hot water. Let the water sit, no need to wipe it into the paper. Wait 2 minutes and you will see the paper start to get darker. Spray down again but focus most of the water on the dry spots that appear. Next wait 5-10 minutes, NO SOONER. Then start to peel back paper. Paper should have the look and texture of raw pie dough, and should easily peel off.
So interesting to see this. I removed the 30 year old wallpaper in my apartment with hot water in a bucket and a sponge dipped in the water, wrung out, then washed across the old wallpaper, long before I saw your video. I did use the scraper as you suggested, and got all the paper off without damaging my plaster walls, but your emphasis on taking your time is so important for the hurry, hurry generation to understand. The older ways worked well, and while I will definitely update my removal method to incorporate the spray bottle, it cheered me to see my simple water and scraper method was somewhat legitimate. Thank you for posting this!
Genius!! I followed your easy instruction and it worked 100%. I did it on a ceiling border, had a pot of water on the stove on low to change out the water in a little spray bottle regularly to keep it hot and it peeled off completely clean in minutes. Zero chemicals. Your Dad is a genius and thanks for sharing his wisdom.
“You Sir , are a steely eyed missile man”! I had a horrible experience with wall paper removal about 15 years ago. Today I did it exactly the way you suggested, with some 20 year old wallpaper. It practically fell off of the wall, I was so shocked that I wanted to find more to remove. Thank you for the video!
Glad to hear this! I am about to start on my late 70's kitchen walls right now and I hope to be as lucky. I guess this pandemic has a lot of us finally stripping that old wallpaper that we have been putting off doing. This will be my first time ever attempting this.
This guy knows what he's talking about! We had wallpaper put on unprimed drywall. I bought a $1.00 spray bottle and used hot water. It came off just like he said it would. I am so thankful I found this video. Thank you so much!!!
I just finished removing wall paper off a bedroom wall using your video to do it. My job was not as neat and professional as yours but I am happy with the results. I was dreading doing the job and have put it off and I thank you for this video with great instructions! Thanks again!
I wish I had found your video before I damaged my drywall. Now I don't know if I can fix it without replacing with new drywall. I've turned something I thought was gonna be easy into a bigger harder job. Thank you for posting this.
Thanks a lot for your simple, no frills and straight talking advice. A lot of DIY videos are just product placement videos and we are already exposed to so many chemicals in the house, there is certainly no need to add even more for removing wallpaper when simple hot water can do. Thanks.
This actually works. I read the comments earlier today and decided to give it a shot. Wow. Thanks for the video. I will continue my DIY wallpaper removal project tomorrow.
After a year's delay, I just worked up the courage to pull the wallpaper off of my dining room walls. With plaster it's even easier. Had been dreading chemicals and complexity, thank you for the assurance that it's really very simple.
Thanks a lot! You're a life saver, I have to remove the wallpaper that my mom put on in the 70's. I had no idea it was this easy! Now I can re do my kitchen and paint it. Thank your dad , too.
I watched this video about three weeks ago as I prepared to help my daughter strip the rest of the wallpaper from her old kitchen. How I wished she had watched this before she started to strip the wall paper off. Everything you taught me was so completely right. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We did not tear the sheet rock or damage it. This works. You are so right. I did file off the corners of my putty knife-- but I never needed it! Thank you. This is the best. Hot water and patience. No expensive, dangerous chemicals. And if you're ever in the position, please prime the sheet rock first. Thank you nitrokyosho!
I went back to a room I had started stripping forever ago and was blown away by how great this approach works! Patience and a good amount of water and the wallpaper practically removes itself. One room did pose a challenge, however, which I think was a result of the remaining wallpaper being too thin to pull off in a sheet. Still, this will be my first approach to projects going forward!
Guys. This works AMAZINGLY!! I thought I was in for a long, terrible day of scraping walls and dropping f-bombs. Neither of those happened. Half an hour later, my walls are bare and clean and I’m a very happy girl! Thank you endlessly for this video, I will never remove wallpaper any other way!!
My husband and I watched this video earlier today because we needed to remove 18-year-old wallpaper and border in a room we are currently remodeling. We were concerned because we didn't want to destroy the existing sheet rock in the process. Your advice was a time saver! We followed your instructions and completed the task within an hour without destroying any of the sheet rock. Thank you so much for posting this helpful video! Go Broncos! :-)
This is the best wallpaper video! My husband and I took down wallpaper in our bedroom, that had been there about 17 years, and we were dreading it. Well, It only took us 2 hours from start to finish following these easy steps. The wall was 16x8. I will totally recommend this video! Thanks. David&Amy
I am recently late to this post.. Just saw it TODAY and I can't THANK YOU enough!!! I did this on old hideous wallpaper in my deceased mom's house. It WORKED like a charm!!! Tell your DAD thank you as well! 💕💕💕
Thank you for demonstrating this. Removing the top layer of coloured paper dry is so sensible yet seemed like occult magic when I first saw you do it. It would have been useful to see you pick the top layer away before peeling it (just to ameliorate my disbelief), but it was incredibly simple once I gave it a go.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Dreaded removing old wallpaper coz had removed two layers the wrong way in a powder room. Took forever. Thankfully your vid popped up. I couldn't believe it! So I tried it. First layers came off bottom to top in one swoop! NO LADDER even. Just kept rolling it up up up. Boom off. Next column. Off. Then I dreaded taking second layer off thinking it would be a big mess. But guess what!?! Hot water in spray bottle onto it and found an edge and was able to remove it almost as easily as the first! Most fun is going bottom to top at once. Beyond grateful to you. All the best.
Thank you for this! Removing the wall paper was almost too easy! And totally a plus not having to buy harsh chemicals, especially since I'm pregnant and have a 2 year old running around! I was able to do it while hubby was at work so he can have a clean wall to paint! Thanks again!
I was so worried about all the wall paper in the house we just bought. We were going to just rip the walls out and start over with new sheet rock. I found this video yesterday and tried it. IT WORKED!!! I am so excited! Going to save us lots of money! Thank you so much for sharing this video!!!!
Spray water on the with a weed sprayer pump, use folded up drop sheets to soak up the excess water, this spray bottle is a great idea, add a drop of dishwashing liquid, it helps to keep the water on the wall longer to soak in, great vid
I don't know if you still check these 4 yr old posts - but THANK YOU!!! I just removed the wallpaper in my bathroom and living room using your methods. SO GLAD to not have to use chemicals. It was a breeze, as the walls had been sized before wallpapering.
You are my hero! Watched your Video this afternoon for out my scraper and hot water bottle and 2 1/2 hours later I completely removed the ugly wall paper in our entrance way! Tomorrow we prep to paint! Thank you!
This really works, we have a very old house with old wallpaper and we followed these instructions and worked perfectly. Do not rush and you will be able to remove the wallpaper in sheets. I highly recommend this method it is excellent. Remember to make sure you have peeled off the first layer and wet the second layer enough then it will come off very easily. Thanks for the video
I'm old school and learned under many old school carpenters and their ways work it just takes more elbow grease and a little more time; but I listen when old school experience speaks and I've tried the chemicals and the scoring ended up with a disaster wallpapering over the disaster so I have two layers of wallpaper. My wife is about to kill me if I don't get all the wallpaper DOWN without destroying the walls. It worked I had to try it to see but it WORKS! My outer paper is a little aggravating it don't come off as even but it is coming off one strip at a time! Thanks!
Hi Ray, I used your method to take the wallpaper off my bathroom and it worked great-no chemicals and no fancy tools. I think the wallpaper the former residents put on was cheap-as the top layer of paper tore a lot and didn't come off in sheets. But that aside, everything worked out well. Just be patient, take your time and do a few breaks-it works great!
IT worked!!!! IT WORKED SO WELL!!!! Thank you SO much for posting this! I was skeptical before I started but it went so smoothly! I had it all done in 3/4 of a day!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!! 💚💚💚
This was fantastic and spot on! Thank you! Just removed all the 80s kitchen wallpaper from my cottage using your method. Worked like a dream! Even with the extra 'border' layer - just required more hot water to work through the extra layer. Thanks SO much!
I just peeled the paper off two bathrooms. It's still time-consuming, but I stuck to the spray bottle and scraper with an edge on one side. I rounded the corners of the knife - that's important to prevent gouging the surface. In the past, I've tried steam, flat irons, paper scorers, etc. Your method works better than all the gimmicky things I've tried in the past. The types of paper in each bathroom behaved differently, even though it is the same house, and the paper was put up at the same time. One type was easier to peel the surface layer, but the backing was much more difficult. The paper in the second bathroom was just the opposite. Either way, your method works very well. Thanks! And "hat's off" to your dad!!!
My father recommended scoring the walls and using a bunch of chemicals; the section he scored was actually harder to get off. Thanks for the great advice!
My Father was a House Painter all his life also and I grew up painting with him and I still paint and that's exactly how he removed wallpaper and how I do it. Good Video !
Great tutorial! Used a steamer, and plastic putty knife, and the paper came off easily. It does take patience and time but the end result is so much better. Now I can wash the walls down and start the next phase of painting.
Amazing ! Just bought a house and I'm in need of removing wall paper. The gf wanted to buy chemicals but after trying your method, it came off like a charm. Thank you !
Thank you so much!! The w.p. removal kit from the store was a big pain and didn't work! I used a pen-knife to lightly score and quarter a stubborn wall paper then EASILY tore off the top layer, and the rest was straightforward. No stinky smells!! Your method is Legit! Thanking God I found your video- I was ready to pull my hair out!
I watched all the videos on what is the best way to get off vinyl wallpaper. I have scored before, and had nothing but a big mess. Let me tell you, your Dad knew what he was talking about. I did a bathroom in no time without making marks. Thanks for the info!
I've been afraid to put up wallpaper since it usually daages the walls when you take it off. This video has clarified all my doubts. Thank you for posting!
The hot water worked great, much better that DIF. It didn't come off as smoothly as demonstrated, more like peeling a giant sunburn but left a much cleaner wall. Thank you.
after watching a ton of videos with several different methods your video was short, to the point and seems easiest of them all. I'm taking the chemicals and removal kit back to home depot and saving money and my son from the hazards of chemicals. you took the intimidation out of the process for me. thanks for posting....excited to remove wallpaper!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I don't want to use chemicals! I was worried when I saw the backing stay but this lesson on how to do it right is so appreciated.
you are a rock star! thank you so much for explaining in such easy terms- loved the comments about your dad-god bless you and your dad~ my bathroom came out great-
This worked great! Thanks for the tutorial! Thanks for saving me money and thanks for protecting us and our fur babies from unnecessary chemicals! Your Dad sounds great!
I'm curious how your project came out. This is how I remove wallpaper too. I've tried all sorts of techniques. One thing I do differently is add a bit of vinegar to the hot water
I had my list of supplesI that I read I would need on DIY ,like scorer, chemicals, scrapers etc aI saw your video and thought well I already have hot water and a sparkle knike(which I barely used) and a cloth. Tried out your method and it worked perfect. What a relief. Thanks so much.
Good to see. This method avoids purchasing unnecessary snake oil solutions and the hassle of scoring the surface layer which makes mess and is extra work. Hope your father is doing well.
I just finished doing a bedroom. This worked awesome!!!! Thank you so much! I wasn't a smooth as you showed but I'm sure I will get better the more I do it. 😁
Thank you for your help! I never did this before, so I set up my laptop on a table and followed your instructions. Taking it slow and easy saved my wall. God Bless You!
1 bathroom, 2 walls full of failed attempts at removal resulting in gouged or tearing drywall, 2 days into your advice and it’s already a lot better but I’m still struggling. I’ve been able to remove two sheets in these two days. It’s still time consuming but I’m not messing up the drywall at least. I’m unable to get sheets like yours, it comes off in pieces at the very top when I start and I end up having to scrape it the rest of the way down the wall which takes forever it feels. I am not gouging my walls nearly as much as I was with my previous attempts using other tools and advice so that’s a plus but is there any advice on how to get the backing to come off a little smoother and as quickly as it seems it did for you? I have 2 large bathrooms that need to be removed and I’m already wanting to tap out.
Thank you very much for sending this video alone. That is because I have a small bathroom to remove wallpaper from that has probably been up there since the early 90s. This will be very helpful.
Thank you so much! I remember when I was a child we used water and we did it wrong we sprayed water first and it was a nightmare! We have two rooms we need to remove wallpaper and I think because of this video you saved us a lot of time and money! Tomorrow morning we are getting started and I'll let you guys know how it goes! Thank you!
I have watched numerous "how to remove wallpaper" videos and purchased various items. THEN I saw your video!!!! I fired up my travel clothes steamer, put water in it, heated it, then steamed the wallpaper...CAME RIGHT OFF!!!! It was an absolute breeze!! I hate you and love you!!! I have a whole room to do and now there's a light at the end of the tunnel !!!
I did everything you said and it was easy. I was worried i was going to have to buy all this stuff at the store but nope. Just hot water and a flex putty knife and a little time :) thank you!
I really like your suggestions and definitely like to hear they come from such an experienced wall paper guy (your Dad). Will definitely be using this simple method. Thanks!
Thank you so much!!! It's literally 1am and I thought I'd just try and see if the way you did it was REALLY that easy, and now I'm taking down my wallpaper like it's nothing!
Great video. My parents put wall papers in the kitchen and it's been on the wall for years and now I am def removing them now. So glad I goind your video.
Thanks you for the tips. I took off all the wallpaper in my home that was made back in 1974. I wasn't aware how to get off the glue after you get the backing off. Thanks for a great video. I to also went chemical free.
Worked just as you stated. I returned all the products and tools that diynetwork told me to get. The hardest part for me was spraying the water. My hand got tired. THANK YOU
Great Video! You saved me the rental fee on a wallpaper steamer and the cost of a bottle of chemical. So simple and worked like a charm! thanks a million!!
Hi, Love how that looked, however my first layer, the colored stuff is not peeling off as easily as yours did. How do I need to get that off first if it doesn't peel off as easily? I love the hot water for the next layer. Thank you.
Ray, I watched many videos after gouging much of @3' of sheetrock using scourer and "piranha". I've either got two layers of paper or the prior owner used contrasting patterns on adjoining walls, not sure yet but both patterns have at least two coats of thick paint over them which the Piranha formula seems to melt first on it's way to the glue. Pretty clear no sizing or paint underlays the paper. Does the same process apply to painted-over paper? Thanks! (best to you & dad)
Thank you very much for this video. This was a simple solution and worked very well with no added pressure or stress. I can't stress enough how much this made it so easy for my wife and I to remove this wallpaper in our bathroom.