First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Check the packaging on the glue first; many makers print removal instructions.
- Harden the glue with ice or cold water, then scrape it off with a dull knife or spoon without pushing it deeper into the surface.
- Blot, don't rub, and work from the edges toward the center so the spot doesn't spread.
- Keep the wall away from heat sources until the glue is gone.
Glue on wallpaper is leftover paste or adhesive residue, and the right approach depends on what the glue is. Water-soluble glues like casein glue respond to water, but contact cement needs a solvent-based remover to loosen. Super glue and epoxy cure hard, so they're the hardest to lift and some residue may stay.
When you remove wallpaper glue from walls, work in small patches so the residue doesn't smear across the surface. Old wallpaper glue on plaster walls can be stubborn, so reapply the remover to any spot that stays tacky, as the steps describe. Removing wallpaper glue before painting is worth the time, since leftover residue can show through the new coat.
Before you start
What wallpaper can take
Use with care4
- Water
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid1
- Soaking
5 items
What you'll need
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- Fast-acting liquid wallpaper removerSoftens the adhesive so it can be lifted off without much force.
- Paper scraper or wide putty knifeLifts the loosened glue off the wall in sheets. (opens Amazon)
- Non-abrasive sponges or clothsWipes and rinses without scratching the paper or paint. (opens Amazon)
- Two buckets of clean waterOne for rinsing, and fresh water each time you change it.
- Rubber glovesKeeps the solvent off your skin. (opens Amazon)
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Apply the remover to the glue
Brush or dab the fast-acting liquid remover onto the leftover adhesive, covering the whole patch. Let it sit until the glue goes soft and loose before you touch it.
Tip. Work one section at a time so the remover doesn't dry out before you scrape.
Careful. Solvents need fresh air, so keep open flames and pilot lights away, don't smoke, and wear rubber gloves.
Step 2 of 7
Scrape the softened glue away
Lift the loosened adhesive with a paper scraper or wide putty knife, or wipe it away with a sponge. Keep the blade low and flat so you're lifting glue rather than cutting into the wall.
Tip. Wipe the blade clean often so old glue doesn't smear back onto the wall.
Careful. Use a scraper designed not to gouge or cut the drywall, and apply only enough pressure to avoid damaging it.
Step 3 of 7
Clean up the remaining residue
Brush a thin layer of the same remover over whatever adhesive is left on the wall. Once it loosens, wipe or scrape it away again.
Step 4 of 710 minutes
Rinse the walls thoroughly
Give the remover 10 minutes, then rinse the wall and the areas around it very well with water. Check that no stripper solution is left on the surface before you move on.
Tip. Use a well-wrung sponge or cloth so the rinse doesn't flood the wall.
Careful. Over-wetting the wall or pressing hard on matte paint can damage it.
Step 5 of 7
Change the rinse water often
Swap in fresh water whenever the rinse water looks cloudy, so the walls don't get recontaminated with the glue you just removed. Dirty water only moves the residue back onto the wall.
Step 6 of 7
Let the walls dry
Let the rinsed walls dry completely before you paint or hang new wallpaper. Paint or paper applied over a damp wall won't bond well.
Step 7 of 715 minutes
Treat the stubborn spots again
If a spot still feels tacky after drying, reapply the remover to just that spot and wait an additional 15 minutes. Then rinse that spot again with a well-wrung sponge and let it dry before you paint.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for glue on wallpaper
Look for a fast-acting liquid remover made for wallpaper adhesive, and pair it with a paper scraper or wide putty knife for lifting the softened glue.
Goo Gone Pro-Power Goo & Adhesive Remover
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on wallpaper, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The glue should look softer and lift off the wall with light pressure from the scraper. When the rinse water runs clear and the wall feels smooth under your hand, the residue is gone. If a spot stays tacky after drying, that spot needs another pass.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your wallpaper
Wallpaper that was painted over
Glue that was painted over is still the same residue, but now a paint layer sits between it and the wall. Test the remover on a small hidden patch first, and check whether the paint lifts before you treat the whole area.
Keep the wetness to a minimum so the paint underneath stays intact. Once the wall is dry and clean, our Walls guide covers the repainting itself.
Wallpaper border
Border and seam adhesive is the exception to this method, because the remover won't dissolve it. The same goes for vinyl pasted over vinyl, so skip the liquid step and start with plain water on a well-wrung sponge.
Let the water sit briefly, then ease the border or seam away with a scraper, using only light pressure. If the adhesive won't loosen, stop rather than adding more water or pushing harder, and test a hidden spot before you work on the visible wall.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old wallpaper glue that has been on the wall for years is harder to loosen than fresh residue, and it often comes away in small patches rather than all at once. On plaster, keep your scraping light, work in small sections, and stop if the surface starts to crumble.
Glue that has dried into the wall needs a second round. Reapply the remover to the stubborn spots and give them the extra 15 minutes before rinsing again. Expect slow progress, and don't push harder with the scraper to speed things up.
If the wall is still marked after all of that, wash it first with a mild detergent and see whether the mark comes clean. If it does, repainting may not be needed, but if the wall stays marked, a fresh coat of paint on a fully dry surface is the realistic end point.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on glue on wallpaper?
A lot of household remedies get passed around for glue, but most were made for fabric or spills. Only the remover, a scraper and water are used, which is all this wall needs.
Skip4Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use abrasive cleaners on the wallpaper
Abrasive cleaners can damage wallpaper even when it's marketed as washable, so keep your scrubbing gentle. Use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth for any wiping.
Don't mix cleaning products together
Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia, vinegar, alcohol or other removers, and never add detergent or ammonia to a bleach and water solution. Rinse thoroughly between products so nothing reacts on the wall.
Don't use glass cleaner on painted walls
Glass cleaner and heavy-duty household spray cleaners can damage the finish on a painted wall, even when they seem mild. Stick with the remover and water from the steps.
Don't wash newly painted walls too soon
Wait at least two weeks before washing new paint, because the finish can be altered or damaged before it fully cures. Dust gently in the meantime.
Don't soak wallpaper that is still hung
Too much water can ruin wallpaper, and some textured papers cannot be washed at all. Keep the moisture low and check the maker's instructions or test a hidden spot first.
When to call a professional
Most glue on painted or plaster walls can be handled with these steps. If the wall is grasscloth wallpaper, professional cleaning may be necessary, so don't scrub or soak it yourself. If you're unsure which paint to use once the wall is clean, ask the staff at a paint store.
Questions
Can I remove wallpaper glue with just water?
Water is useful for the final rinse, but on its own it rarely loosens dried glue. Use a well-wrung sponge or cloth so the wall isn't soaked, and let the remover do the loosening first.
Does vinegar work on wallpaper glue on walls?
You don't need vinegar for wall glue; a fast-acting remover and a thorough water rinse do the job. Stick with the fast-acting remover and a thorough water rinse instead.
Will super glue or epoxy come off a wall?
Super glue and epoxy cure hard, and they generally can't be dissolved off a wall the way wallpaper paste can. Scrape gently to remove loose bits, and if the wall is painted, stop before you lift the paint.
How long does the removal take?
Plan on about 10 minutes of remover time before the first rinse, plus 15 minutes for any stubborn spots. Scraping and rinsing fill the rest of the work, and drying time comes on top.
How soon can I paint after removing the glue?
Wait until the rinsed walls are fully dry and check that no tacky spots remain. Once the surface is dry, you can paint, and a quick check beforehand helps the new coat go on evenly.
Do I need to repaint after the glue is gone?
Not always. If the wall comes clean after a wash with a mild detergent, repainting may not be needed. Check the wall in good light first, and repaint only the areas that still look marked or dull.
What if I find mildew behind the paper?
Use a household mildew cleaner before the final rinse and drying. Treat the mildew first so it doesn't come back under the new paper.
Glue on other materials
Other stains on wallpaper
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.