Wallpaper Removal

How to make stripping wallpaper an easier chore.

Bob Vila of ?This Old House? fame was born on this day in 1946. Known for giving older homes a new look, he often recommends trading old wallpaper for something new. To make stripping wallpaper an easier chore once you've perforated the surface with a special scoring tool (from the hardware store), wet it down with a tank-type garden sprayer filled with a wallpaper-stripper solution. Or warm tap water with a touch of white vinegar or use just plain water (some say adding fabric softener works wonders too). Then wait for the liquid to soak completely through, and for it to start dissolving the adhesive. Wait 20 minutes or more, then peel back a corner, spray some more and start stripping. And that's the On The House tip for today.

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