The Best Way to Remove Leftover Wallpaper Glue

Preparing the Room

• Turn off all power to the room. Water can get into the electrical outlets and switches. Cover the entire floor with plastic (removing wallpaper glue can be messy).

Baking Soda or Vinegar

• Mix 1 tbsp. baking soda into a gallon of very warm water. Apply to the wallpaper glue on the wall using either a sponge or a spray bottle. Allow to sit on the wall for three to five minutes. Scrub the wall in a circular motion. A sponge that has a soft side and a scrubber side works well for this. Keep a bucket of clear water nearby to rinse the sponge. Wash the wall with clear water after all glue has been removed; allow it to dry before you start painting.

  Add 1 cup vinegar to 1 gallon very warm water. Apply the solution to the wall in small sections. Allow the mixture to sit on the wall for a few minutes, but not long enough to dry. Use a wide plastic trowel to scrape the glue off the wall. Wash the scraped area with the vinegar solution to remove any small areas of glue that remain.

Fabric Softener or Dishwashing Soap

• Mix 4 tbsp. fabric softener or a generous squirt of dishwashing liquid into 1 gallon of very warm water. Apply to the wallpaper glue with a sponge or spray it on. Scrub in a circular motion, using the scrubbing side of the sponge and scraping stubborn spots with a plastic trowel.

Trisodium Phosphate

• Use trisodium phosphate in very warm water. Adhere to amounts listed on the container, and wear rubber gloves and eye protection. Protect floors and carpets with plastic. Apply to the wall and rinse off with a second bucket of warm water. Use caution with this product, as it is very strong.

Sanding the Wallpaper Glue

• If the above methods fail, sand the glue off the wall. The walls must be dry before sanding. Wrap medium-grit sandpaper around a sanding block or attach to the pad of a sanding pole. Sand the entire wall, changing the sandpaper often. Use a damp cloth to remove the sanding dust before priming and painting.