How to Remove a Molly From Drywall Without Damage

A molly is a type of anchor used to fasten objects to drywall, preferred because it generally has stronger holding power than other anchors, such as hollow plastic ones. The molly expands as you insert a screw into it to secure the object onto the drywall, thus providing its extra resistance against slipping out. The difficulty arises when you decide to remove the object from the drywall, and need to remove the molly also, which is embedded in the drywall.

Screwdriver
Needle nose pliers
Nail
Hammer
Spackle

Instructions

- 1
  Open a pair of needle nose pliers and insert one jaw into the opening in the molly anchor. Position the other jaw outside of the lip of the molly, and close the pliers, gripping the lip of the molly.
- 2
  Work the pliers back and forth to bend the lip toward you. Get a good grip on the lip with the pliers, and try to pull the molly out of the hole.
- 3
  Work the lip of the molly back and forth with the pliers, until you break that portion off. Grip another portion of the molly lip and work it back and forth until it breaks off. Continue around the lip until you totally remove it.
- 4
  Position the tip of a screwdriver or nail into the molly hole. Tap the head of the screwdriver or nail gently, using a hammer to push the molly out of the drywall, where it falls into the wall cavity.
- 5
  Place a coat of spackle over the hole left by the molly in the drywall.

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