Recipe for Heavy Duty Wallpaper Paste

Traditional Thinner Paste

• 1

  Mix 1 1/2 cups of flour and 6 teaspoons of alum water (usually found in the herb or specialty sections of supermarkets) in a double boiler for this heavy-duty but somewhat thin-medium paste.

• 2

  Add tap water until the mixture resembles the consistency of sour cream. Heat the mixture and stir it constantly until it thickens.

• 3

  Turn off the heat, let the mixture cool and then stir in 12 drops of clove oil, which is found at most pharmacies. Then add 1 tablespoon of sugar and stir before pouring it into an old plastic container for your wallpaper project.

Mid-Grade Paste

• 4

  Combine one-half pound of wheat flour with 1 liter of warm water in a saucepan, blending well until the flour is dissolved for this heavy-duty and medium-thick paste. Keep stirring until the mixture is thin and free of lumps.

• 5

  Heat the mixture over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring constantly as the mixture thickens.

• 6

  Add 1 more liter of water a little at a time -- letting the mixture heat up, then adding more water and stirring constantly as the paste thickens. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar. When it reaches the consistency of dense mashed potatoes, it’s ready to be poured into a plastic container for your use.

Decorator's Favorite Paste

• 7

  Combine 1 cup flour, one-half cup cornstarch and 2 teaspoons powdered alum in a double boiler for this heavy-duty and very thick paste.

• 8

  Add 2 2/3 cups of water and heat and stir constantly until the mixture begins to thicken.

• 9

  Remove from the heat; this paste will thicken more as it cools. Stir in 1 tablespoon of sugar. Thin with a little water, if necessary.