Hi, I started stripping our hall wallpaper yesterday and have got all of it off, or so I thought. Actually the previous owners have put pvc primer and then skimmed over the original wallpaper and then papered over this (the flat was built in 1900), the original wallpaper is really firmly stuck to the plaster and I’m having to use a chisel to get it off. Steamer doesn’t seem to be helping at all. Plaster is in good condition underneath. Does anybody know what might loosen the old paper? I’ve read fabric softener or vinegar? I think the steam might actually be making it stick to the walls harder!
I tried everything. Nothing worked. I rented the “steamer”. I bought the tiny metal thing that “scores” the paper to allow the “remover” to get under the paper and release the glue. Didn’t work. Not vinegar or softener. I finally found the magic answer.
I got a regular “iron” for ironing your shirts. At the hottest setting. Then i got a washcloth and soaked it with water. Put the cloth over the iron and press them to the wall. The glue underneath turned to liquid. As you slide the iron, more wallpaper comes off. You have to keep wetting the cloth. Setting the iron to “steam” was no help. The cloth had to be sopping wet.
The iron was ruined for ironing shirts but a new iron only costs $10.
warm vinegar can loosen the glue on the wallpaper tho im not sure what it will do to the plaster. try a test spot before going nuts if you go that route.