How to Take Wallpaper Off the Walls With Fabric Softener

Test a small corner of the wallpaper to make sure it is not strippable. Grasp a wallpaper corner edge and try to peel it away from the wall. If the wallpaper peels away easily, you will not need to use the fabric softener solution; you may peel off entire sections by hand.

Remove all furniture, decor and other home accessories from the room where you are working. Cover any large pieces of furniture that you cannot move with plastic sheeting.

Lay plastic sheeting on the ground under the work area. Remove faceplates and cover all electrical outlets with duct tape to protect from dripping water. Locate the residence's fuse box, and turn the power off to the room where you are working.

Run a wallpaper-scoring tool over the entire surface of the wallpaper, working in circular patterns. The scoring tool has tiny sharp protrusions that penetrate through the top layer of wallpaper so the removal solution can soften behind the paper.

Fill a bucket with hot water. Dip a sponge into the hot water, and gently squeeze out excess water. Brush the surface of the wallpaper with the dampened sponge. Repeat this process one or two more times or until the wallpaper starts to come away from the wall.

Scrape away pieces of peeling wallpaper using a putty knife.

Pour equal parts fabric softener and hot water into a spray bottle. Mix the ingredients together by shaking the spray bottle until combined.

Spray one section of wallpaper with the fabric softener solution until saturated. Allow the solution to soak through the wallpaper for at least 15 minutes.

Scrape the wallpaper and adhesive residue away from the wall with a wide putty knife, working on one section at a time. Apply more fabric softener solution to the wallpaper to soak if needed.

Fill the bucket with equal amounts of warm water and white vinegar. Dampen the sponge with the vinegar solution, and wipe down the walls after all wallpaper is gone. Repeat this procedure until all adhesive residue is wiped away.