How to Remove a Blown Ceiling Using Vinegar

Shut off the electrical power to the room where you will remove the blown ceiling. You'll use a lot of water and do not want to mix water with electricity.

Spread a plastic drop cloth on the entire floor. Tape smaller pieces of plastic over electrical outlets with painter's tape. Run a strip of painter's tape around the room about ¼ inch below the ceiling. Tape sheets of plastic drop cloths to this strip to cover the walls. Unroll red rosin paper to cover the whole floor. Rosin paper absorbs water and helps give you traction on a wet surface.

Mix one part white vinegar with nine parts water in a new garden sprayer. Don't use a sprayer that's been used for any other purpose. Pump the sprayer well to pressurize it.

Wear a dust mask and safety goggles. Start in one corner of the room and use a ladder that's tall enough to reach the ceiling easily. Spray a 3-by-3-foot area of the ceiling with the vinegar and water mixture. Soak it well, then wait about three minutes.

Hold a wide scraper at a close angle to the ceiling and scrape off the blown texture. You shouldn't have to apply much pressure. If you do, spray the ceiling again and wait another few minutes. Continue scraping the wet area until all the texture is off. Use a gentle touch so you don't gouge the drywall under the texture.

Spray another 3-foot square section and wait a few minutes before scraping off the texture. Continue this procedure until you've removed all the blown texture from the ceiling.

Remove the plastic and tape from the walls and outlets. Roll everything up in the plastic on the floor and throw it away. Let the ceiling dry completely before painting it or covering it with tiles.