Wallpaper: Love It or Steam It

Although, according to House Beautiful, wallpaper is on trend for 2020 with bold floral and geometric patterns being used as statement pieces on ceilings and in bathrooms, decorative wallcoverings are not for everyone. Even once loved wallpaper can quickly become tired and outdated, or if the home is sold, may not be preferred by the new owners. Fortunately, home improvement retailers have the solution.   

There are a variety of tools and products that make wallpaper removal easier, ranging from sponges and putty knives to tools designed specifically for wallpaper and glue removal like these popular products:

• Piranha™ Scoring Tool: This wallpaper perforator has a soft grip and is designed to roll easily while the four steel blades lift wallpaper from the wall without gouging the drywall. 
• Zinsser^® DIF Wallpaper Stripper Concentrate: Once mixed with warm water, this enzyme-based solution soaks in to break down tough wallpaper paste. It can be applied with a sprayer, roller or sponge. Available in 22-ounce or 1-gallon containers. 
• Wagner 715 Power Steamer: The one-gallon tank offers up to 70 minutes of steam from one fill. The steamer comes with two steamplates, an 8 inch by 11 inch steamplate for covering large work areas and a 3 inch by 6 inch steamplate for small work areas. 

And once the wallpaper is removed, walls will need to be prepped for either new paper or paint application, giving retailers the opportunity for add-on sales, including sandpaper, spackle, floor protectors, drywall repair kits and more.