How to Restore Old Wallpaper

Large and Small Wallpaper Tear

• 1

  Cut a piece of leftover wallpaper slightly larger than the torn area on the wall, using a utility knife. Place the new wallpaper on top of the damaged area on the wall. Try to match the damaged area’s pattern scheme. Trace out the shape with a pencil, then cut through both layers of wallpaper at once with the utility knife.

• 2

  Remove the new wallpaper portion and set it aside. Wet a sponge with warm water and wipe the damaged wallpaper. Let it soak to weaken the adhesive backing.

• 3

  Lift the damaged wallpaper section. Use a putty knife to lightly score the areas you cannot remove with your hands, being careful not to damage the drywall underneath.

• 4

  Run your palm on the drywall underneath the removed wallpaper. If it is rough, sand it with 80-grit sandpaper until smooth. Fill spackling compound into any dents in the drywall. Let the compound dry.

• 5

  Put wallpaper adhesive on the back of the new wallpaper portion and then press firmly onto the wall. Clean any excess adhesive on the wall with a damp sponge. Use coloring materials or markers to mend the gaps as needed.

Remove Grease Spots and Stains

• 6

  Mix dishwashing detergent and warm water to make a cleaning solution. Gently rub the spot, using a sponge with the solution. Increase the ratio of the detergent if your first attempt wiping off is not successful. Dishwashing detergents contain degreaser that helps remove grease spots and stains.

• 7

  Apply white vinegar or rubbing alcohol and wipe with a sponge. Be careful not to soak the area as it will affect the adhesive on the backing paper. Rub the spot dry with a cloth. Repeat this step until you get all the stain off the wallpaper.

• 8

  Apply commercial wallpaper cleaner if all else fails, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Restore Antique Wallpaper

• 9

  Clean dirt off the wallpaper with a damp sponge dipped in distilled water and let dry. Scrap off any loose plaster with a razor blade and then apply a coat of oil primer seal to coat these areas.

• 10

  Apply a thin coat of drywall plaster to fill the holes, if any, from the scraped plaster. To smooth the scraped surface, add a second coat of oil primer seal to restore these areas.

• 11

  Touch up the smaller damaged wallpaper areas with watercolor paint, using a spotter paintbrush. Dilute the paint in water for the first layer. Increase the opaqueness of the subsequent layers until the colors match the wallpaper's. Fix large sections with a bigger paintbrush, using the same method.

• 12

  Clean the wallpaper periodically with your vacuum cleaner's wall brush extension tool. If you do not have this tool, wipe with a dry, clean cloth.