The Handy Tool That Makes Removing Peel And Stick Wallpaper Easier Than Ever

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is an invaluable tool for renters and homeowners alike. It lets you bring texture and color to a room without the commitment of traditional wallpaper. Rather than messing with glue and professional installers, you can just unfurl a roll, slap it on the wall, and smooth it down yourself. And when your style changes or the room needs another refresh, you can simply take it down with little to no damage to the drywall underneath. While it's a great addition to any DIYer's arsenal, it does have some drawbacks. Not all peel-and-stick wallpaper is made the same, and some brands have stronger adhesives than others. This can make some of them challenging to remove. Luckily, a heat gun can help with that.

If you discover that you used a roll that has a strong adhesive, step away from the wall and grab the heat gun. Tugging on it can potentially ruin the wall underneath, or at the very least, leave a sticky residue behind that will be a pain to clean. Luckily, using a heat gun is one of the easiest ways to remove peel-and-stick. Here's how. 

Before we begin, let's talk about some safety precautions you should take while using a heat gun. If you have never used one before, wear thick, protective gloves to protect your hands from any accidents. You also never want to touch the gun's nozzle when it's on or after turning it off since it will be very hot. Similarly, make sure you have somewhere safe to put it down when it's hot, since it can potentially singe wooden or laminate surfaces, ruining your furniture or floor. Since the gun will heat the adhesive and release strong odors, it's also a good idea to open windows and turn on fans to increase ventilation in the room. This will keep you safe during the entire project. 

Once you have all of that squared away, you're ready to use the heat gun. Set it to the lowest setting, ensuring you don't accidentally burn the wallpaper or drywall. Then, move it back and forth across one section of the wallpaper, slowly heating the glue backing. You don't want to blast just one spot since that might burn the paper. As the glue heats, it becomes more pliable, making it easier to peel away from the wall. Once you feel some give, grab a scraper or putty knife and use it to help you separate the paper from the wall. Work in small sections, pulling gently the entire time.