How to Remove Wallpaper From Unpainted Walls

If it's time to redecorate your home and remove old wallpaper, it's important to first find out what type of surface you are dealing with beneath the paper. If the wall is unprimed, unpainted drywall, it is susceptible to damage depending on the techniques and process you use, which can be difficult to repair. Beginning with a small section of wall to test the effects of your method can help you find the best way to remove the wallpaper without causing any damage.

Newspaper
Putty knife
Water
Wallpaper removal solvent
Spray bottle

Instructions

- 1
  Spread the newspapers on the floor and against the wall to catch the wet pieces of wallpaper you scrape off.
- 2
  Begin in a corner and pry up the wallpaper with the putty knife. Examine the wall; if it is unpainted drywall (as opposed to unpainted wood or plaster), take care in the next stop not to use too much water, which could damage the drywall. A small amount of water works.
- 3
  Peel off as much of the wallpaper as you can, pulling it at an angle rather than straight out.
- 4
  Mix the wallpaper removal solvent with water in the spray bottle using the portions indicated in the solvent instructions.
- 5
  Spray the wall with the solution; if you are dealing with drywall, moisten a sponge and use it to lightly dampen the wall. Lightly scrape the rest of the wallpaper off with the putty knife.

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