Let’s talk about what we’d like to accomplish before this baby comes for a second. In our first house when we were preparing for Clara’s arrival, over those nine months we tackled a few rooms that were still on our redo list (mainly the full bathroom and the nursery) since so much of the house was already done (our kitchen reno was all finished, the hardwood floors had been redone, we had opened up some walls and closed off others, etc). This time around, there’s a baby on the way but this house is much less finished than our first one was, so our goals before baby are more about getting it to a nice blank slate than a fully finished after.
You see, I’m a mom on a mission. And that mission is to get rid of all of the old wallpaper, old carpeting, and blue trim before this baby comes. So that means chipping away at seven spaces over the next six months:
- de-blue-trim-ifying and de-wallpapering the dining room
- finishing Project No More Graph Paper in the kitchen
- stripping the blue wallpaper in the sink/tub area of our bathroom
- ripping up the old carpet runner on the stairs (our new runners finally came after being on backorder, woot!)
- painting the blue trim in the office
- removing the old carpeting on the steps that lead from the garage into the kitchen (don’t even know if we’ve shown those…)
Of course we also have other updates on our radar that we mentioned in this post last Friday – like adding built-ins to the bedroom, amping up the office, packing in a few guest room updates, and creating a nursery of course! But man I’ll be a happy momma to slowly but surely send the blue trim, the peeling wallpaper, and those old stair runners packing. Out with the old, and in with the new, baby! Or should I say out with the old and in with the new baby? Somehow they both work.
And we actually get to cross off that second bullet already, thanks to a few days of the serious wallpaper battle that I waged on the kitchen graph paper wallpaper. Ahh, look at that clean wallpaper-less wall, complete with a big ol’ intercom. Can I get a hootie hoo?
Every time I tackle wallpaper I try out a different wallpaper removal method just to see what works better (I’m like Anderson Cooper with this hard-hitting investigative journalism) so you can read about how boiling water worked here, and how a steamer worked here (spoiler alert: so far the steamer is in the lead). And this time my method of choice was warm tap water and Dr Bronner’s soap. I hear that soap can help cut the glue from the wallpaper a bit more than plain water can. Some people swear by a Downy + water mixture, but since my tummy is so easily rebellious these days (morning sickness tends to go until about the half-way point of pregnancy for me) and my nose is turned up to “bloodhound mode”, I opted for a less fragrant soap that still cuts grease/tackiness : Dr. Bronner’s.
I just added about seven squirts of Dr Bronner’s to my wonky spray bottle (remember when I nearly melted it with boiling water here?) and filled the rest of the bottle with hot water from the tap (so it wasn’t boiling, but it wasn’t lukewarm either). Then I sprayed down this entire wall, let it soak in for about three minutes, and got to work peeling like a madwoman.
This is my third attempt at wallpaper removal and my third attempt without a scoring tool. Going into this I assumed I’d try one out one of these times, but thanks to many large sheets coming off like this, I’ve actually become afraid of a scoring tool since it seems like it could create a lot more work for me (peeling off ten million scored pieces instead of one big sheet).
So the best removal methods certainly seem to depend on a multitude of factors (how stuck your wallpaper is, what glue was used, what prep work was done to the wall under it before it was papered, and how old it is, how many layers there are, etc). My recommendation would be to try peeling it without scoring first, and if it just won’t budge you can then move onto scoring things to get through the paper and loosen things up. I just think it’s a smart secondary step in case your wallpaper comes up in larger sheets like ours has so far (if it helps anyone, this wallpaper was all applied around 30 years ago to our knowledge, and we believe the walls were properly prepped beneath it with primer, which definitely helps with removal).
After doing that big wall next to the table, I just inched my way around the room, spraying, waiting three minutes for it to soak in, and peeling.
Once again, there were some nice big sections that came off…
… but of course from these piles you can see that there were also smaller sections that took a little longer after the big chunks came down (I just resprayed those more stubborn areas and picked at them with my fingernail until they came off). I should also mention that I tried a spackle knife since I’ve heard those can be helpful but I found that it caused little dents in the wall so I quickly abandoned that. I’d rather take my time getting the paper off and have pristine walls in the end than ding them up getting the paper off faster (but then have to spend time spackling those spots to get things smooth again).
I ended up getting around to the other side of the kitchen (where the built-in desk is) about three hours into the removal process, which is when this momma needed a break.
So I posted this Instagram picture of the mess I made, and curled up in the fetal position for a while. Wallpaper will do that to ya.
About four days later I had more prego gusto as I like to call it (every few days I get bursts of energy, and dang it if I don’t capitalize on them) so I ran into the kitchen with a battle cry of “Arrrggggghhh!” and scared the dog got to spraying and peeling again. I had this side of the kitchen to do this time, which was easier in some aspects (the backsplash is a lot smaller of a space to peel, for example)…
… but there seemed to be more glue going on, so it took a while longer to make my way around.
More glue in some areas meant that I was left with more of the paper backing on the walls in some areas, which looked a little bit like white tiger stripes wherever it stuck to the wall.
Here’s where I tried an entirely new method, that worked LIKE GANGBUSTERS. Guys, if you have that paper backing mocking you silently from your freshly peeled walls, here’s what to try. Fill a bowl with as-hot-as-you-can-get-it tap water and a few pumps of Dr Bronner’s soap (I’m sure other soaps could work, but I had luck with DBs). Then just dip a paper towel or a rag into it and dab that over the paper backing right on the wall. It saturates it a lot more than the spray bottle (without giving you hand cramps from squeeze-squeeze-squeezing) and…
… even giant chunks of that stubborn backing should peel right off in one giant piece. At least that’s what worked this time. Look at me go.
So in some parts of the room it felt like I was really peeling wallpaper twice (since it was a few hours of wallpaper removal followed by a few hours of backing removal) but when the dust cleared, we had a wallpaperless kitchen! Hurrah!
It’s still dark as heck with faux brick linoleum and a big ol’ garage-looking light on the ceiling, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. As for how long the entire process took, I’d estimate that it was 8 hours of work when you add it all up.
But those blank walls sure do feel good. Now all I need to do is wipe them down with a vinegar and water spray (that has worked to get rid of any lingering glue residue in the past for us) and we can paint our little hearts out.
Aaaand, just because I like to cross things off…
- de-blue-trim-ify and de-wallpaper the dining room
finish Project No More Graph Paper in the kitchen- strip the bold blue wallpaper in our bathroom
- rip up the old carpet runner on the stairs (our new runners finally came after being on backorder, woot!)
- paint the blue trim in the office
Oh and in case you’re wondering, the steamer still wins as the easiest/fastest method, but neither the boiling water or the hot tap water + soap approaches were that bad (and they’re 100% free) so they’re pretty decent back-up options – at least to try. Next up, I have my eye on the bathroom wallpaper (I think I need a smaller space to give my arms a break) and the carpet runner on the stairs’ days are numbered too. Be afraid, be very afraid (if you’re our carpet runner or bathroom wallpaper – if not, no need to be afraid). Is there anyone else out there with a deadline and a list of non-negotiable house stuff they’d like to accomplish? Honestly I’m so excited about the nursery that I’m hoping to rush through all of those other bullets so we can get to the fun stuff.
Psst- Clara’s having conversations again. And as usual, she’s cracking us up.
Kristen says
When my Mom remarried we moved to a bigger house in the hopes of me getting a baby brother. No baby brother, but we did inherit 4 layers of wallpaper in every room. We had MANY a paper stripping party. I guess that is why I love to peel things now…
BTW, congrats on the baking bun. So happy for you and your family. I had morning sickness all day every day until I delivered my little one. (I even puked TWICE during delivery.) The only thing that helped me through it was drinking club soda (I called it fizzy water). La Croix has some great flavors.
And is that a red mini gluggle jug?
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Kristen! Fizzy water does help sometimes! As do cheese sticks, oddly enough! And yes, that’s a tiny red mini gluggle jug!
xo
s
Jessica says
I spy with my eye through the living room door John tiling away. : )
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, good eye! Dude gets things done!
xo
s
Justine says
We had/have a house full of seventies wallpaper, and as you have, learned as I’ve gone along with removing, I tried the scoring and ended up cutting holes in the plasterboard, luckily I started behind a door to try it out. Then brought a steamer, best $120AUD I’ve spent, but tried first steaming all layers, but found I had to steam the backing paper off again later. I have found that the vinyl top layer just peels off in one big panel at a time, and can have that done in ten minutes (kids love doing this part) Then the time is spent steaming and removing the backing paper and glue, I found scraping the paper and glue at the same time help, and if you tag team with hubby you can wash straight after while the glue is still wet, other wise the glue dries again and you have to go back and steam again and wash the glue off (we had alot of glue) We recently finished stripping our hallway (22metres of wall)all ready to paint. We have only 2 rooms to go the living and smallest bedroom. We have wallpaper in Dining/Kitchen but we actually like it, it is a trendy 70s which people pay 100s for these days and matching kitchen etc. All our other WP was boring or just yuck. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150497872647743.428677.609417742&type=1&l=d88c3a465f here is a link to our before and after shots:) from when we purchased the house about 20months ago. We also have so much brown, would love it to go, but we have so many doors and windows and they are stained not painted which makes it that much harder to change. Love you post and project. Good luck with baby
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Justine! Love the tips and those before and after pics!
xo
s
sarah @makingitmyhome.blogspot.com says
this post is making peeling the wallpaper off in my bathroom sound not so scary!
Dawn says
I haven’t read the other comments yet so I may be repeating a (lame) joke, but… I predict getting rid of all the blue trim will guarantee you have a boy. Get it? Blue trim… boy… perhaps twas funnier in my head….:)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! Well the room that will be the nursery is the only room in the house that had mauve trim but we painted over it. Will have to see what we have!
xo
s
Kaitie says
Reading zoomed out on my phone, the strike-through made it look like you ran into the kitchen and seared the dog, and I was all “BURGER NOOOOOO”.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, oh no! No Burgers were harmed in the stripping of this wallpaper.
xo
s
Kate says
I am in the midst of my second miscarriage and we are in the midst of remodeling an old house. My goal is to get the wallpaper peeled and all the trim installed so we can start the adoption proves by January when I was originally due with our first baby. It has been a long year and we have so much to get done. I am determined to focus on that.
Erin says
I read both ‘peel it like a…’ and ‘go prego…’ to their intended tunes on my first go! It’s incredibly dorky how proud I am about this. I’m also excited to know that others use the “Go Ninja” tune to encourage, as we sing “go Quinnie, go Quinnie, go” to our 3 year old daughter, Quinn, when she’s doing something hilarious (usually dancing) that just has to continue.
YoungHouseLove says
Ha!
xo
s
[email protected] says
I love houses that have the built in desk/office space in the kitchen (I’m guessing that’s where yours is). I modified and used an antique desk in a small corner of the room. :)
Barbara says
It took me awhile to realize you weren’t saying “peeing” when you said “peeling”. After reading the sentences emphasizing being pregnant and filling bottles with warm water my mind just assumed that you “got to work peeing like a madwoman.”.. I think I need to get more sleep. I blame baby #2
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah!
xo
s
Kimberly @ Turning It Home says
I totally sung your “go prego” chant as “go Deigo, go Deigo”. I just couldn’t help it, Dora and Deigo get the best of me these days.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny!
xo
s
Ginny @ Goofy Monkeys says
Honey, I have peeled more wallpaper for this dang house than I hope ever to peel in the rest of my entire life. It was BRUTAL.
We went with a steamer & plastic putty knives to get ‘er done.
We had it 4 layers thick on the walls AND THE CEILING.
Feels good to have that task behind you, huh?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man it goes! I love the plastic putty knives tip!
xo
s
Carli says
Yikes! That’s a lot of wall paper! Good work Sherry!!
Stacey says
Just wanted to register my appreciation for the 3 Ninjas reference. I loved that movie!
Alison says
Ugh!!! I hate peeling wallpaper!! My parents bought this old victorian house a long time ago which they turned into a reception and luncheon center. But that thing was covered with old textured wallpaper and I swear we were peeling wallpaper for weeks! Luckily I don’t have to do that in our current house but who ever textured and painted our walls didn’t do a very good job and I hate texture on walls so we are currently in the process of sanding walls and ceilings and repainting everything all before Thanksgiving! It should keep us busy.
Maya says
I have always wanted to do this: have you thought about keeping your existing boxes in your kitchen and replacing the doors only, but getting doors that are smaller so that they fit perfectly inside the boxes? Everything would be flush, and the doors would look inset.. such an expensive look. You would also need special hinges. I am excited to see what you eventually come up with.
YoungHouseLove says
We did think about that, although we’re not sure this configuration is the most functional and the frames are damaged/gnawed in some areas too, so it would likely be a lot of patching. We replaced our cabinets in our first house and worked with what we had in our second house, so now we just have to think long and hard about what’s best for us and this long-term house of ours. We’ll definitely keep you guys posted!
xo
s
georgia says
Having removed countless rooms full of wallpaper in our house I think it totally depends how it was hung to how easily it comes off. I can recommend the wallpaper scraper though as doing it with your hands (mine got all gross and stay in the bath too long puckered). I had some rooms where I swear it was put on with wood glue or something and scoring, scraping, using wallpaper removing chemicals etc still took DAYS to do a small bathroom. In other rooms I had the ultimate satisfaction of pulling it off in great glorious sheets. There are some wallpapers I think are really cool, but I will NEVER hang the stuff in reverence to anyone else who ever has to remove it.
Krista says
Hello. Just a quick tip from someone who has removed A LOT! of wallpaper…sorry if you’ve already heard this one…I use fabric softener and water in a spray bottle. Works like a charm! Also, I use a sponge to get off the remaining paper backing (similar to your paper towel method). It doesn’t deteriorate and is more ergonomic than a rag, which is a bonus when your hands are tired from peeling wallpaper and wielding a putty knife. BTW, that is my other wallpaper removal tool–I good putty knife. It can really get things going. Also, I’ve used a scoring tool–one that has two little wheels with teeth on the back. It leaves little perforations on the wall paper allowing the fabric softener and water solution to penetrate the glue a bit better. This has come in REALLY handy when trying to remove scrub-able wallpaper–you know, the kind with the plastic quality/coating. If you use my method be sure to wash down your walls with clean water before painting them. You don’t want any leftover fabric softener to mess with your paint. Another bonus is your room will smell like freshly washed laundry–oh so fresh!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tips Krista!
xo
s
Christina says
Hootie hoo! Great job, lady.
Erin says
We also have the old intercom’s through out our rental. None of them work. I would love to have them work, (instead of yelling throughout the house) (Oh, did, I just admit, I do that? :) ) Or have them removed.
Megan says
Oh man! I’m oddly inspired to finish peeling our wallpaper now! Did 3 rooms last winter, but I’ve been procrastinating the floral borders in our office and guest room. A borrowed steamer has worked great for us but I’ll have to try the Dr. Bronners on the borders. Thanks for the inspiration and tips!
JudyMae says
You can round the edges of that scraper to avoid those dents in your wall. I also round the edges of razor blades that I use for scraping. You can use a grinder, a file, or even a cement sidewalk – just be sure to get the cement to make sure you don’t leave scratches in it or use a section that won’t show.
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip!
xo
s
Kate Craig says
Hey ya! I’m so impressed with how you push through! You’re making the rest of us look bad ;)
Chelsea says
AW! My cardboard burger did make it to the house! Glad he hasn’t been smashed! Loving the new house and all the progress you guys have already done! BTW- I visited Virginia for the first time and it is such a beautiful state! :) Lurve y’all!
YoungHouseLove says
Of course! We love him! And I’m so glad you enjoyed VA too!
xo
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Courtney says
A baby on the way makes you do crazy things. We matched with a birth mother last week, & only have about 2 weeks until the baby is due. Yes I said 2 WEEKS. What did I do Saturday? Remove popcorn ceiling from the nursery. Hopefully tomorrow I will get the ceiling primed & painted.
I also wanted to say I finally got a short handled paintbrush and I am in love. I have never enjoyed cutting in before, but am looking forward to painting tomorrow so I can use it.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh! Go Courtney, go!
xo
s
Bailey says
By the sounds of it, you guys would get a lot of hits on a YouTube video of simply showing Sherry peeling wallpaper haha! Everyone thinks it’s so soothing/satisfying to watch!!
Bailey
http://akabailey.blogspot.com
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! It’s like DIY therapy!
xo
s
Alexandra says
Thanks for the great wallpaper removal tips – I have a house full of wallpaper waiting to be stripped and started last weekend in the bathroom. Unfortunately, the wallpaper was glued down incredibly well, and the top layer was some kind of coated, probably bathroom specific material, so the water would not permeate it. Bummer. So I had to get one of these “paper tiger” thingies to poke many little holes in that top layer to help get it all wet. Then I was able to strip the top plasticky layer, which was pretty fast. Then I had to wet the walls again to get rid of the under layer, it was a real pain and I am not yet done. My method was hot water, and then I tried DIF stripper, which was not much of a difference. The secret is to get the paper wet enough, so thanks for that tip. I will keep stripping (wallpaper …)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, that sounds hard Alexandra! Thanks for sharing your tips!
xo
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Candy says
Where did the cardboard chihuahua(Burger) come from in the picture of the built in desk area? I need one. So cute!!
YoungHouseLove says
That was made by a reader and given to us at one of our tour stops. Isn’t it amazing?! It’s all cut cardboard pieced together!
xo
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