Vinyl wallpaper removal can be a difficult undertaking, particularly if you’ve never done it before. But, if you have the appropriate methods and resources, you can complete this task quickly and without needless stress. Knowing the process is essential to making sure you don’t harm the walls underneath and that you can appropriately prep the surface for the next step.
Getting your materials ready is the first step in taking down vinyl wallpaper. Warm water, a sponge, a wallpaper scraper, a scoring tool, a utility knife, and a wallpaper removal solution are required. Preparing everything ahead of time will facilitate the process and aid in maintaining organization.
Start by lightly perforating the vinyl surface with the scoring tool. This will improve the removal solution’s ability to pierce the wallpaper. Take care not to apply too much pressure so as not to harm the wall underneath. Next, use the sponge to liberally apply your removal solution—which you should mix with warm water in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions—to the wallpaper.
To soften the adhesive, let the mixture sit for roughly fifteen minutes. After the wallpaper has soaked all the way through, begin peeling it off the wall with the scraper. To reduce the chance of tearing, work slowly and methodically, starting at a seam or edge and pulling the paper away at a low angle.
After removing the wallpaper, use the sponge and warm water to scrub away any adhesive that may have remained on the wall. Some extra removal solution applied sparingly might be helpful for troublesome areas. Before beginning any additional remodeling, thoroughly clean the walls with clean water to get rid of any remaining adhesive, and allow them to dry completely.
Vinyl wallpaper removal doesn’t have to be a difficult task. You can achieve a clean, smooth wall that is ready for the next step of your project with the right technique and patience. It’s easier than you might think to remove old wallpaper if you follow these instructions.
Vinyl wallpapers
In the manufacture of vinyl sheets, the main component is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Currently, almost all coatings are created based on this material. Typically, such coatings consist of two layers. The backing is made of non-woven fabric or paper, and the decorative part is made of vinyl. For a medium-priced material, the backing is made of paper, since the raw material itself is inexpensive, and the outer part of the coating is made of foamed vinyl. Non-woven fabric is used to make the base of wide and expensive rolls. A meter roll weighs much more than a standard roll. To keep the canvas securely on the wall, use a non-woven backing. 
The advantages include the following qualities:
- average price per roll;
- variety of colors and relief;
- environmentally friendly, harmless to the environment and humans;
- coating strength;
- resistance to detergents;
- resistance to high temperatures;
- durability.
Vinyl sheets come in four different varieties:
- Foamed. The base is made of paper, the top layer is made of foamed vinyl.
- Embossed and dense. Imitate natural finishing materials.
- Hot stamping. Hot presses are used to produce this material.
- Silkscreen printing. The bottom layer is made on a paper basis, and the front part imitates silk.
A unique plan will be chosen for their removal from the surface, depending on the type that is selected for pasting the room.
Although removing vinyl wallpaper can seem difficult, it can be done easily with the correct equipment and instructions. To remove the wallpaper without damaging the walls, this process entails preparing the space, gently loosening the edges, and using a combination of water and light scraping. You can guarantee a seamless and effective wallpaper removal process and prepare your walls for a brand-new appearance by adhering to these easy instructions.
Preparatory activities
Remove everything unnecessary from the room before beginning to remove the old vinyl wallpaper from the walls. To avoid scratching or staining the furniture, remove it all from the room first. To prevent stains on the coating itself, it is advised to cover the floors with plastic film.
Covering the film with cardboard or old newspapers is advised. They will stop shoes from slipping on the polyethylene surface.
You should place a wet rag on the doorway floor so you can wipe the bottoms of your shoes and stop dirt from being dragged into other rooms.
De-energize the room completely before beginning any disassembly to avoid electric shock to anyone. Next, you must take off all ornamental covers from outlets and switches, as well as lamps and wall paintings. The following supplies will help you quickly remove vinyl wallpaper: gloves, masking tape, a metal spatula, a needle roller, a spray bottle, and a ladder or stepladder.
Removing paper-backed vinyl wallpaper
You must know what kind of coating is glued to the wall and what kind of material the surface is made of before removing the coating. In actuality, there are five primary techniques for removing vinyl wallpaper made of paper:
- Remove using a metal spatula. It is used if the surface of the wall in front of the wallpaper was additionally covered with newspapers or paper. Together, all layers form a dense coating with a fairly large thickness. The spatula easily passes between the wall and all layers, and the canvas can be removed in large pieces without much effort. If, when tearing off the material, some of its parts are difficult to remove, then they should be left on the wall for a while. After removing all vinyl wallpaper, the pieces must be moistened with water using a spray bottle. After 5 minutes the wallpaper will be easy to peel off with a spatula.
- Layer by layer. As you know, vinyl material is two-layer, only the front surface protects them from moisture. In order to saturate the bottom layer with water, the top layer must be destroyed. This can be done using a needle roller. They roll it over the entire plane of the wall. If the canvases are particularly strong, then the top layer should be re-rolled. Then the surface is generously treated with a spray bottle of water. It will easily penetrate through the holes into the bottom row and soak the adhesive layer. To increase the effect of glue destruction, pour a little ammonia, vinegar, and laundry conditioner into the water. After processing vinyl wallpaper after 15 minutes, they can be easily removed from the surface. Dismantling should begin from the lower corners of the canvas. The remaining pieces of wallpaper should be re-moistened and then carefully removed with a spatula.
- Using specialized tools. Before treatment, the wall surface must be rolled with a needle roller. Technical liquids are diluted in water, then sprayed onto all surfaces of the wallpaper using a spray bottle. It takes 2-3 hours for the solution to completely destroy the adhesive layer. After this, the vinyl wallpaper can be easily torn off the wall in whole sheets. The plaster layer remains intact, it does not require additional processing and new sheets can be immediately glued on top.
- Steam generator. How to remove vinyl pieces with this device? Very simply, this tool emits hot steam, which is used to treat the surface of vinyl wallpaper. Dried wallpaper glue quickly breaks down and the canvas can be easily torn off the wall. The steam generator is also great for removing wallpaper from hard-to-reach places.
- Sander. This type of dismantling is suitable for gluing wallpaper with PVA glue, as well as for partially removing pieces of wallpaper. If you don’t have a steam generator or iron, this method is perfect as an alternative. In other cases, it is not recommended to use a sander, as it can destroy the top layer of plaster. For more information on how to remove vinyl from a wall, watch this video:
It is not advised to use a spatula when vinyl sheets are adhered to a plastered wall. Because there is a good chance that the canvases and the plaster finishing layer will be damaged during disassembly. The steam generator’s main drawback is the high cost of the device itself. Craftsmen advise against buying a tool for small spaces and instead recommend using vertical steaming household irons at home.
| Step | Description |
| 1. Prepare the Area | Remove furniture or cover it with plastic sheets. Protect the floors with drop cloths. |
| 2. Score the Wallpaper | Use a wallpaper scoring tool to create small holes in the vinyl wallpaper. This helps the remover solution to penetrate. |
| 3. Apply Wallpaper Remover | Mix the wallpaper remover solution according to the instructions. Apply it generously over the scored wallpaper using a sponge or spray bottle. |
| 4. Wait | Allow the wallpaper remover solution to sit for the recommended time, usually about 15-20 minutes. |
| 5. Peel Off Wallpaper | Start peeling the wallpaper from a corner. Use a putty knife to help lift and remove the wallpaper. |
| 6. Clean the Wall | Wipe down the wall with warm water and a sponge to remove any remaining adhesive. Let the wall dry completely. |
Although removing vinyl wallpaper can seem difficult, it can be done easily with the correct methods and equipment. By adhering to a methodical approach, you can guarantee a seamless and effective process. Before you start, don’t forget to set up your workspace and gather the required supplies.
Start by using a putty knife or scraper to loosen the wallpaper’s edges. The wallpaper remover solution mixed with warm water can be applied to help soften the adhesive. Peeling off large sections of wallpaper is made easier as a result. It’s important to be patient because hurrying can damage walls.
Cleaning the walls thoroughly is crucial after removing the wallpaper. Your next project will have a clean surface if any adhesive or residue is removed. Usually, all you need is a sponge, some warm water, and a little detergent. Wait until the walls are completely dry before painting or hanging new wallpaper.
You’ll feel more accomplished and be able to save money if you tackle this project yourself. Your walls will be ready for their new look in no time with the correct planning and meticulous execution. Cheers to your renovations!
