The Easiest Way to Remove a Vinyl Wallpaper Border

Changing the look of a room is as simple as removing an old vinyl wallpaper border and replacing it with a new one or a fresh coat of paint. Many commercial products are available to help you remove a vinyl wallpaper border but you can use supplies from home that save you money and chemical exposure. Vinyl wallpaper borders are different from other wallpaper borders in that the vinyl coating prevents moisture or stains from going through the wallpaper.

Ladder
Perforating tool
1/4 cup liquid fabric softener
Spray bottle
Plastic scraper
White vinegar
Bucket
Sponge
Clean cloth

Instructions

- 1
  
  A household ladder helps you reach vinyl wallpaper borders placed high on the wall.
  
  Set up a ladder in the area in which you plan to work. Scratch the surface of the vinyl wallpaper border using a wallpaper perforating tool. Since vinyl wallpaper borders prevent moisture from going through the wallpaper, it's important to score the wallpaper so the wallpaper removal liquid can get through to the adhesive.
- 2
  Mix 1/4 cup liquid fabric softener with 1 quart warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the perforated vinyl wallpaper border liberally and allow the fabric softener solution to sit on the border for up to 15 minutes to soften and loosen the wallpaper adhesive.
- 3
  Peel up the edge of the vinyl wallpaper border using a plastic scraper. Pull the loosened piece with your fingers to remove the wallpaper border completely. Apply more fabric softener solution to any stubborn sections of wallpaper border.
- 4
  
  A sponge cleans walls effectively without scratching the surface.
  
  Mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and warm water in a bucket. Dampen a sponge in the solution and use it to wash the fabric softener and any remaining wallpaper adhesive residue from your walls. Dry the walls with a clean, dry cloth.

Non-Chemical Methods for Removing Wallpaper

Wall Paper Removal Tools

Wallpaper