How to Remove Wallpaper With TSP

Prepare the room by turning off the electricity, removing switch plate covers, moving furniture and covering the floor around the baseboards with a drop cloth.

Score the entire wall surface using a Paper Tiger or putty knife. Scoring involves making small cuts in the paper just large enough to allow the removal solution to seep underneath the wallpaper. A light hand is required so you do not cut into the wall.

Apply the removal solution. Mix a solution of one part TSP to two parts water in the spray bottle. Make sure you are wearing rubber gloves at this point, as TSP is caustic and can burn your skin. Working from the top of the wall to the bottom, spray an area easy enough to work in. It will take approximately 30 minutes for the solution to work so spraying an area at a time ahead should keep waiting time to a minimum.

Remove the wallpaper. If you are lucky, the paper will simply peel right off. If not, it's time to start scraping. A large measure of patience, a gentle hand, and a few additional squirts from the spray bottle are required.

Clean the wall. With the wallpaper now removed, you can more easily assess the condition of the wall underneath. Check to see how much glue remains on the wall and whether any mildew is present. If no mildew is present, mix ½ cup TSP to two gallons of warm water. If mildew is present, add four cups of bleach to the solution. Using the sponge, clean away all remaining traces of glue and/or mildew. Run your hand over the wall to make sure it feels smooth and clean.

Rinse the wall with warm, clear water and dry it as best you can with towels.