Q&A for How to Remove a Wallpaper Border

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What is the best homemade wallpaper remover?

Katherine Tlapa
Interior Designer
Katherine Tlapa is an interior designer, currently working as a Design Specialist for Modsy, a design service based in San Francisco. She also runs her own DIY Home Design blog, My Eclectic Grace. She received her BFA in Interior Architecture from Ohio University in 2016.

Katherine Tlapa

Interior Designer

Expert Answer

Spray the wallpaper with soapy water and let it sit for a while. Once you let the glue dissolve, you will be able to scrape off the wallpaper.

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Question

What should you do before putting a wallpaper border?

Garrison Hullinger
Interior Designer
Garrison Hullinger is an Interior Designer and the President of Studio Garrison. With more than 15 years of experience, he specializes in client-centered design that balances beauty and warmth with comfort and functionality. Garrison and GHID’s work has been featured in numerous publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Interior Design Magazine. Garrison attended Oklahoma Christian University.

Garrison Hullinger

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Expert Answer

You have to create a flat substrate so that the wallpaper border can adhere better to the wall.

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Question

What tools do you need to hang up mural wallpaper?

Garrison Hullinger
Interior Designer
Garrison Hullinger is an Interior Designer and the President of Studio Garrison. With more than 15 years of experience, he specializes in client-centered design that balances beauty and warmth with comfort and functionality. Garrison and GHID’s work has been featured in numerous publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Interior Design Magazine. Garrison attended Oklahoma Christian University.

Garrison Hullinger

Interior Designer

Expert Answer

You will need a laser level, tape, polymer tools, and a box knife to hang up mural wallpaper.

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Will any of the wallpaper removal techniques damage the wallpaper underneath?

Community Answer

Yes. Any of the methods that use a solution to remove the adhesive (vinegar, fabric softener, or wallpaper remover) will also potentially loosen the wallpaper adhesive. Also, if you are using vinegar, it will soak into the wallpaper, and you won't be able to get rid of the smell.

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Question

What is the proportion of fabric softener to water?

Community Answer

Follow the fabric softener's instructions, or just use a teaspoon for a typical spray bottle.

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Question

Can I put a new border on the old border?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as the old one is still solidly attached and flat. Use white glue to re-seat any of the old paper's open or raised seams or edges, and cut open any bubbles in an "X" fashion to then glue them down flat.

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Question

What if the wallpaper adhesive looks rubbery?

Community Answer

It's probably just thick and sloppily applied. It should wash right off with hot water.

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