Whats the best way to strip wallpaper?
Tim: The best way to do it is to fill a garden sprayer with a mixture of washing-up liquid and cold water, then spray the walls to dampen the paper and scrape off. Hot water will sometimes harden the wallpaper paste, so make sure the water is cold. If you’re stripping vinyl wallpaper, strip the top layer by hand first without wetting it, then you’re left with the backing paper, which you dampen and remove as normal. We use a tool called a paper tiger to score the walls before wetting them – it makes the job so much easier. And don’t forget to switch your electrics off at the mains beforehand. Nick: Do you have any other tips for people who are thinking about wallpapering? Tim: Make sure the walls are clean and fully prepared beforehand – for instance, plug up any holes with a good-quality filler. Double check that you have all the tools you need for the job before you start and, above all, take your time, don’t rush the job or it’ll show. About Tim Peters: Tim Peters is owner of the Be
