Best cleaner for Vinyl Wallpaper

Cindy Denning

Cindy Denning

Joined
Apr 9, 2004
Messages
3,419
I have looked on the internet for the best way to clean vinyl wallpaper and I do know that a mild soap and elbow grease can do the trick BUT in areas that have slightly yellowed (:barf: ) and you can see where pictures use to be and what this wallpaper actually should look like leaves me wandering about what would be best? Purple Power and Mean Green may be too strong. It's truly a beautiful pattern and has anyone have an idea of what to use?
 
Believe it or not WD-40 sometimes works. Did wonders for my fridge. Also vinegar is often overlooked due to the smell, but it is natural and goes away quickly. Obviously test on a small area.
 
we used this stuff called DAP and then went over it with spick n span (both are cleaners) and it turned out great
 
I bet it would be less work to put new wallpaper over it, and it's probably time for a change anyway.

Or if you're tired of wallpaper you can paint over it.
 
Is it yellow from smoke?

I'd use TSP, but that might stript the paper too.
 
The product is called Awesome you get it at Dollar General or similar. I bought a bottle to clean up the interior of an old vanagon Westfalia camper after my mom recommneded it highly and it cleans the vinyl wallpaper better than anything I have ever used. It also cleans carpet and just about anything else you can think of including painted walls and my garage floor. It's a miracle potion, everyone I have recomended it to has been converted too.
 
Yeah, that Totally Awesome spray cleaner is great stuff, and it's also the only spray cleaner that doesn't make me sick with the fumes. That's worth a try. :thumbup:
 
You guys are great and thankyou for the ideas! Yes the wallpaper appears to be discolored by smoking so I will try the vinegar and water and also the Totally Awesome. I thought of painting but can you succesfully paint over wallpaper?:confused:
 
I'd remove the wallpaper before painting, and try TSP, or diluted TSP, but test it in an inconspicuous place first.
 
Cindy Denning said:
You guys are great and thankyou for the ideas! Yes the wallpaper appears to be discolored by smoking so I will try the vinegar and water and also the Totally Awesome. I thought of painting but can you succesfully paint over wallpaper?:confused:
Click to expand...


No.

Invisible 10 characters
 
Cindy Denning said:
You guys are great and thankyou for the ideas! Yes the wallpaper appears to be discolored by smoking so I will try the vinegar and water and also the Totally Awesome. I thought of painting but can you succesfully paint over wallpaper?:confused:
Click to expand...
If the discoloration is from heavy smoking, it'll be nearly impossible to clean without damaging the wallpaper. If you've never hung paper before, hire someone who knows what they're doing. As for painting over paper -- it can be done. Use several coats of latex paint, and don't expect it to look nice.
 
This is property I bought that needs a little TLC. The former owners either smoked or the old heating and cooling system could have been at fault. I have a feeling it was a mix of the two.;)
 
I was a wallpaper contractor for 20 years.

Forget trying to clean it, not going to happen.

You are are always better off stripping the old paper if you can before painting. It is hard to know without seeing it but it may be very easy to take it off or it may be impossible, it just depends. Feel free to call me Cindy. If you are on the property and standing in front of the stuff I might be able to walk you through it. 413-537-0472
 
Regular Jiff diluted and put on a mildly abrasive sponge like an old 3M backed one.

If you have a dirty concrete drive, try some Jiff and a brush on it, it comes up like newly laid.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top