How to Clean Wallpaper Glue

Wallpaper adds a nice finishing touch to any room's decor. When you decide to change your decor and take down adhesive-backed wallpaper, there may be some wallpaper glue left on your walls. While removing wallpaper glue requires some effort, you can accomplish it using supplies from your home and the hardware store. Once it's removed, you'll be ready to apply new wallpaper or a fresh coat of paint.

Ladder
Spray bottle or mister
Fabric softener
Measuring spoons
Bucket (optional)
Paint tray (optional)
Paint roller (optional)
Extra lambswool rollers (optional)
Sponge

Instructions

- 1
  
  A spray bottle makes for easy application.
  
  Pour 4 tbsp. of fabric softener into a spray bottle, and add warm water to fill the bottle. Shake the spray bottle to mix the solution.
- 2
  Spray the wallpaper glue with the fabric softener solution, and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Use a ladder to reach higher places.
- 3
  
  A paint roller makes for easy and smooth application.
  
  Apply the fabric softener solution using a paint roller if there's quite a bit of adhesive. Pour the solution into a paint tray, and dip the paint roller into your fabric softener solution, moving it back and forth to wet it completely. Hold the roller over the paint tray to allow excess solution to drip off. Apply the solution directly onto the wallpaper glue by rolling the paint roller back and forth over it. Allow the solution to sit on the adhesive for a few minutes. The fabric softener breaks down the wallpaper glue the same way commercial wallpaper removal products do.
- 4
  
  Sponges wipe away glue and cleaning solution.
  
  Dip a clean sponge in a bucket filled with warm water. Wipe the area where the wallpaper glue has been removed. Rinse the sponge frequently to remove as much adhesive and fabric softener as possible.
- 5
  Allow the wall to air dry.

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