Reader Tip: Removing Wallpaper with Vinegar

Removing wallpaper can drive just about anyone crazy. Instead of opting for harsh chemical removers, our clever reader suggests using an inexpensive, non-toxic solution of white vinegar and water to strip wallpaper.

Removing wallpaper is a pain, especially when you use harsh chemical removers to get the job done. I can't stand the smell and the chemicals complicate breathing conditions like asthma. So when it comes to stripping old wallpaper, I skip expensive chemical removers and instead use a simple, non-toxic solution of white vinegar and water.

Here's how to take down wallpaper without chemicals:

1. To create the homemade solution, mix 1/3 cup white vinegar with 1 quart of warm water. Use a large sponge or spray bottle to thoroughly dampen the wallpaper.

2. Wait 5 to 8 minutes for the warm solution to dissolve the glue, then use a paint scraper to gently work a corner of the paper loose. This will help you peel off large sections at a time.

3. Pull the old wallpaper paper from the loose corners. Clean up any remaining glue residue with a cloth dampened with solution.

This is a simple and easy way to give stubborn the boot.

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