How to Remove Wallpaper Border

Wallpaper borders offer a quick way to enhance the beauty of any room. When the time comes to remove them for replacement or just redecorating, there are several methods that can be used. The ease in which the paper removes from the wall depends largely on the type of adhesive used, the wall material, the wallpaper border material and how long it has been in place. Start with the easiest methods and work your way down the list until the wallpaper is removed.

Heat Methods

Some adhesives can be softened with heat and then easily removed from the surface. Here are two options.

You Will Need:

• Hair dryer
• Steamer
• Plastic scraper

Steps to Remove the Border:

1. Turn the hairdryer on the low setting with high heat. If the only setting for high heat is high air flow, use that.
2. Hold the dryer 8-10 inches from the surface of the wallpaper.
3. Allow the warm air to blow onto the surface until the glue becomes heated and begins to soften.
4. Gently peel away the border or wallpaper.
5. Use a plastic scraper if necessary help loosen the bond.
6. If using a steamer, work in small sections for the best results.
7. Start steaming at the bottom and work towards the top. One the border begins to loosen, use a plastic scraper to remove it from the wall.

Removing Border from Wallpaper

Most borders that are glued onto existing wallpaper are easy to remove with a little moisture.

You Will Need:

• Water
• Spray bottle
• Plastic scraper
• Perforation tool (optional)

Steps to Remove the Border:

1. Fill a spray bottle with warm water.
2. Mist the surface of the border.
3. Let the water soak into the border and soften the adhesive.
4. Once the adhesive has softened, peel the border off. A plastic scraper can be used to assist with the removal if necessary.
5. Apply more water as needed to soften the glue completely.
6. If the border has a vinyl covering, the water will not be able to penetrate the surface to reach the glue. In these cases, perforate the surface with a perforating tool and then spray with water.

DIY Wallpaper Stripper

There are a variety of commercial wallpaper strippers available, but you can make your own at home as well. Here are two recipes that can be used.

You Will Need:

• Fabric softener
• Vinegar
• Water
• Sponge
• Soft cloths
• Spray bottle
• Plastic scraper

Mix Your Home-Made Wallpaper Stripper:

There are two different homemade wallpaper strippers that have been effective in removing borders.

1. Fabric Softener Wallpaper Stripper: Combine one capful of fabric softener with four cups of water.
2. Vinegar Wallpaper Stripper: Mix one part vinegar with one part water. For stronger adhesives, mix two parts vinegar with one part water.

Steps to Remove the Border:

1. Fill the spray bottle with either the fabric softener or vinegar mixture.
2. Spray the mixture directly onto the wallpaper border. For stronger adhesives, apply a thicker layer of the mixture using a sponge or soft cloth.
3. Allow the stripper to soak into the border and soften the adhesive.
4. Gently pull the border away from the wall or use a plastic scraper to scrape it off.
5. Once removed, wipe the surface with a cloth dampened with warm water to remove any residue.
6. If vinegar was used, there will be a lingering vinegar smell. This will dissipate in a day or two.

Additional Tips and Advice

• If adhesive residue remains on the wall or surface after the border is removed, moisten a soft cloth with the stripping solution and gently wipe it over the surface. If a heat method was used, soften the glue with additional heat and wipe away with a damp cloth.
• Use caution when removing border from existing wallpaper. The same strippers that weaken the adhesive in the border may also soak through to the wallpaper and weaken the bond with the wall. Once the border is removed, wipe the area clean to remove any remaining liquid or stripper.
• If you are looking to put up a new border, check the instructions for application and removal. There are borders that are made to stick on a wall and peel off easily, without any additional stripping products or clean up. These work especially well for decorating children’s rooms, apartments, college dorm rooms, etc. where the border will be used short term.