How To Remove Wallpaper Border? 9 Simple Ways

You must know how to remove wallpaper border if you want to replace old, tacky wallpaper with the new one! Removing the wallpaper border from drywall or plaster walls can be tricky. However, there are few ways to remove wallpaper without damaging the underlying walls. In today’s guide, we will discuss how to remove wallpaper border without damaging the paint in detail. Here, I have given instructions for removing wallpaper from drywall, painted walls, and other surfaces. If you are interested to learn how to remove wallpaper border, then keep on reading further.

How To Remove Wallpaper Border?

The best way to remove wallpaper border from the wall is by using a putty knife or wallpaper scraper. Here, I will teach you how to remove wallpaper border easily by grabbing a few household items.

1. First, shift the furniture and other items into the middle of your room.
2. Cover these items with a plastic sheet or cloth.
3. Grab a wallpaper scraper or putty knife.
4. Slightly lift the bottom corner of the wallpaper border with this knife.
5. Slowly peel one large section of wallpaper by your hand.
6. You can also slide the knife under the wallpaper to loosen up the glue.
7. Once done, wipe the area with a clean sponge and soapy water.
8. This will help you to remove all the leftover glue residue.
9. Allow the wall to dry and place the furniture back in its place.

Note: Make sure you apply steady and even pressure so that the wallpaper doesn’t tear in between.

There are also some alternative ways for wallpaper removal. You can keep on reading to know how do you remove wallpaper border from walls more in detail!

Remove Wallpaper Border By Using Warm Water

A warm to hot water can also easily remove wallpaper from the wall without leaving any residue. You can go along with these instructions to learn how to remove wallpaper border from drywall.

1. First, shift the furniture and other items into the middle of your room.
2. Cover these items with a plastic sheet or cloth.
3. Grab a spray bottle and fill it with warm to hot water.
4. Spray this water directly on the wallpaper.
5. Let it remain seated for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
6. This will loosen the glue by itself.
7. Grab a wallpaper scraper or putty knife.
8. Slightly lift the bottom corner of the wallpaper border with this knife.
9. Slowly peel one large section of wallpaper by your hand.
10. You can also slide the knife under the wallpaper to loosen up the glue.
11. Once done, wipe the area with a clean sponge and soapy water.
12. This will help you to remove all the leftover glue residue.
13. You can spray this solution again if needed.
14. Allow the wall to dry and place the furniture back in its place.

Note: Make sure you do not spray too much water on the wallpaper or else it will damage any underlying wallpaper.

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Remove Wallpaper Border By Using Fabric Softener

Fabric softener is the other most common item we all have at our home. Removing wallpaper border with fabric softener can be a fun DIY method to try at home. Here, I have given some instructions on how to remove wallpaper border with the fabric softener.

1. First, shift the furniture and other items into the middle of your room.
2. Cover these items with a plastic sheet or cloth.
3. Mix equal parts of water and fabric softener in a small bowl.
4. Pour this solution into a clean spray bottle.
5. Spray this solution directly on the wallpaper.
6. Let it remain seated for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
7. This will loosen the glue by itself.
8. Grab a wallpaper scraper or putty knife.
9. Slightly lift the bottom corner of the wallpaper border with this knife.
10. Slowly peel one large section of wallpaper by your hand.
11. You can also slide the knife under the wallpaper to loosen up the glue.
12. Once done, wipe the area with a clean sponge and soapy water.
13. This will help you to remove all the leftover glue residue.
14. You can spray this solution again if needed.
15. Allow the wall to dry and place the furniture back in its place.

Note: Make sure you shake and then spray the mixture onto the wallpaper.

Remove Wallpaper Border By Using Wallpaper Steamer

Wallpaper steamers or heat guns can be very helpful in removing wallpaper borders on a painted wall. In this section, I will explain how to remove wallpaper border with a steamer.

1. First, shift the furniture and other items into the middle of your room.
2. Cover these items with a plastic sheet or cloth.
3. Grab a steamer or heat gun to apply high heat to the wallpaper.
4. Hold the steamer at 8 to 10 inches away from the surface.
5. Take a wallpaper scraper or putty knife.
6. Slightly lift the bottom corner of the wallpaper border with this knife.
7. Slowly peel one large section of wallpaper by your hand.
8. You can also slide the knife under the wallpaper to loosen up the glue.
9. Once done, wipe the area with a clean sponge and soapy water.
10. This will help you to remove all the leftover glue residue.
11. Allow the wall to dry and place the furniture back in its place.

Note: Make sure you wear protective gloves, clothing, and safety goggles while performing this procedure.

Also, you can follow the same instructions if you want to know how to remove wallpaper border with a hairdryer.

Remove Wallpaper By Using Chemical Wallpaper Stripper

If you are tired of trying all the above-given DIY methods, then you can go for a chemical wallpaper stripper. It will easily remove all the glue residue without damaging the wall. Thus, follow these steps to know how to remove wallpaper border from painted wall.

1. First, shift the furniture and other items into the middle of your room.
2. Cover these items with a plastic sheet or cloth.
3. Mix hot water and wallpaper stripper into a large container.
4. Pour this solution into a clean spray bottle.
5. Spray this mixture directly onto the wallpaper.
6. Grab a wallpaper scraper or putty knife.
7. Slightly lift the bottom corner of the wallpaper border with this knife.
8. Slowly peel one large section of wallpaper by your hand.
9. You can also slide the knife under the wallpaper to loosen up the glue.
10. Once done, wipe the area with a clean sponge and soapy water.
11. This will help you to remove all the leftover glue residue.
12. You can spray this solution again if needed.
13. Allow the wall to dry and place the furniture back in its place.

Note: At the beginning, you can spray this solution to a small section of the wall, for example, 3×3. 

Remove Wallpaper By Using Orbital Sander

For super thick wallpaper borders, you can go for an orbital sander to sand away the topmost layer of the wall. You can follow these instructions to learn how to remove wallpaper border from plaster walls.

1. First, shift the furniture and other items into the middle of your room.
2. Cover these items with a plastic sheet or cloth.
3. Grab orbital sandpaper to sand away the top layer of wallpaper.
4. Grab a spray bottle and fill it with warm to hot water.
5. Spray this water directly on the wallpaper.
6. Let it remain seated for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
7. This will loosen the glue by itself.
8. Grab a wallpaper scraper or putty knife.
9. Slightly lift the bottom corner of the wallpaper border with this knife.
10. Slowly peel one large section of wallpaper by your hand.
11. You can also slide the knife under the wallpaper to loosen up the glue.
12. Once done, wipe the area with a clean sponge and soapy water.
13. This will help you to remove all the leftover glue residue.
14. You can spray this solution again if needed.
15. Allow the wall to dry and place the furniture back in its place.

Note: This method will consume a lot of time and effort.

Remove Wallpaper By Using Vinegar

Removing the wallpaper border from a painted wall sounds like a tough task. Surprisingly, it is not as difficult as you think. A warm white vinegar solution can remove wallpaper within no time! To know how to remove wallpaper border with vinegar follow these instructions.

1. First, shift the furniture and other items into the middle of your room.
2. Cover these items with a plastic sheet or cloth.
3. Mix equal parts of warm water and white vinegar in a large container.
4. Pour this solution into a clean spray bottle.
5. Spray this solution directly on the wallpaper.
6. Let it remain seated for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
7. This will loosen the glue by itself.
8. Grab a wallpaper scraper or putty knife.
9. Slightly lift the bottom corner of the wallpaper border with this knife.
10. Slowly peel one large section of wallpaper by your hand.
11. You can also slide the knife under the wallpaper to loosen up the glue.
12. Once done, wipe the area with a clean sponge and soapy water.
13. This will help you to remove all the leftover glue residue.
14. You can spray this solution again if needed.
15. Allow the wall to dry and place the furniture back in its place.

Tools Needed For Removing Wallpaper

By now, you have understood how to remove old wallpaper border in detail. Here, I have listed down a few items you might need for this procedure.

• Plastic Sheet
• Putty Knife
• Wallpaper Scraper
• Spray Bottle
• Fabric Softener
• Sponge
• Heat Gun
• Wallpaper Steamer
• Chemical Wallpaper Stripper
• Orbital Sander with 40 to 60-grits
• Soapy Water

FAQ

What Is The Best Homemade Wallpaper Remover?

There are two best homemade wallpaper remover solutions:

• A mixture of fabric softener and warm water
• A mixture of white vinegar and warm water

Can You Sand Off Wallpaper Border?

Yes, you can sand off the wallpaper border by using an orbital sander.

How To Remove Stubborn Wallpaper Borders?

You can remove stubborn wallpaper borders by following these instructions.

1. First, shift the furniture and other items into the middle of your room.
2. Cover these items with a plastic sheet or cloth.
3. Mix equal parts of water and fabric softener in a small bowl.
4. Pour this solution into a clean spray bottle.
5. Spray this solution directly on the wallpaper.
6. Let it remain seated for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
7. This will loosen the glue by itself.
8. Grab a wallpaper scraper or putty knife.
9. Slightly lift the bottom corner of the wallpaper border with this knife.
10. Slowly peel one large section of wallpaper by your hand.
11. You can also slide the knife under the wallpaper to loosen up the glue.
12. Once done, wipe the area with a clean sponge and soapy water.
13. This will help you to remove all the leftover glue residue.
14. You can spray this solution again if needed.
15. Allow the wall to dry and place the furniture back in its place.

How To Remove Wallpaper Border Glue?

You can remove wallpaper border glue by using these instructions.

1. Mix equal parts of warm water and white vinegar in a large container.
2. Pour this mixture into a clean spray bottle.
3. Spray this solution directly on the wallpaper.
4. Let it remain seated for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
5. This will loosen the glue by itself.
6. Grab a wallpaper scraper or putty knife.
7. Slightly lift the bottom corner of the wallpaper border with this knife.
8. Slowly peel one large section of wallpaper by your hand.
9. You can also slide the knife under the wallpaper to loosen up the glue.
10. Once done, wipe the area with a clean sponge and soapy water.
11. This will help you to remove all the leftover glue residue.
12. You can spray this solution again if needed.

Does Vinegar Remove Wallpaper?

Mixed with water, vinegar’s acetic acid helps to break up wallpaper adhesive. Combined with scoring the paper and a variety of gentle scrapers, this method can safely and reliably remove wallpaper from almost any wall surface.

How Do You Remove A 20 Year Old Wallpaper Border?

Mix 1 part liquid fabric softener to 3 parts hot water, or 1 part household vinegar to 2 parts hot water. Pour the hot water mix into a clean, empty spray bottle or household pressure sprayer. Spray the wallpaper’s surface and allow it to sit for a few minutes.

What Is The Fastest Way To Strip Wallpaper?

Use a scoring tool to create holes in the wallpaper. Use a spray bottle to soak the paper. Spray water into the slits so it can work its way behind the covering. Wait about 10 minutes and then scrape off the paper with a putty knife.

How Do You Remove Wall Border Wallpaper?

Start by applying hot water to a small test area and then peel back the paper from a seal or a corner using your fingernail. If the border peels back easily, simply continue removal by gently peeling back the wallpaper in pieces using your putty knife as leverage, if necessary.

Does Dawn Dish Soap Remove Wallpaper?

Old wallpaper that has degraded over time is easier than newer wallpaper to remove, in general, but no matter the age or newness you can remove wallpaper safely. You won’t need to use dangerous chemicals–you can use dishwashing soap and other common household materials.

Conclusion

Knowing how to remove wallpaper borders, you can get rid of them within a day! Here, I have listed down seven different ways for wallpaper removal. The simplest way to remove stubborn wallpapers from the wall is using a putty knife or wallpaper steamer. This will help you to remove wallpapers in large sections. You can also try my DIY wall washing solutions: fabric softener + warm water and white vinegar + warm water. By using these solutions every bit of wallpaper borders will be removed from your walls! Thus, I have covered all the points you must know about how to remove wallpaper border in my article.

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