How to Make Interior Walls Better : Household tricks

23 tips, hints, and tricks for interior walls

How to Remove Wallpaper

Soak walls with a paint roller dipped in hot water. The paper will peel off in sheets after two applications

Tape Removal

Cellophane tape can be removed by pressing with a warm iron.

Smooth Wallpaper

To eliminate bubbles and smooth wallpaper after it is hung, use a paint roller.

Another Wallpaper Removal Tip

Wet paper thoroughly with a sponge dipped in equal parts of vinegar and water.

Repapering Walls

To prevent grease spots from coming through new wallpaper, cover all greasy areas with shellac

Finger-mark Removal

Rub wallpaper with a chuck of soft, stale bread in even, up-and down strokes

Removing Smudges on Wallpaper

Dust wallpaper with fuller's earth after dampening paper. Allow to dry and brush off

Crayon Marks

Use a dry soap-filled steel pad and rub lightly

Bulges in Wallpaper

Use a razor blade to slit bubbled area, insert paste under the paper, and smooth with a brush.

Grease Spots on Wallpaper

Rub talcum powder onto paper with a powder puff. Repeat until the spot is gone.

Hair Oil Spots

Use chalk of milk of magnesia to rub on the spot--leave on for 24 hours before dusting off.

Ink and Blood Stains

Rub spot with white magnesia chalk after applying water to the spot. Let dry and rub off.

Bathroom Wallpapering

Paint all joints with a clear shellac or varnish after papering a steamy room, to prevent peeling.

Fabric-covered Walls

Spray fabric with water. When dry, the wrinkles will have disappeared.

Spot Remover

Cover spots well with French chalk (available from the drugstore). Leave for 24 hours and remove with a soft cloth.

Another Spot Remover

Put a blotter over the spotted area and apply a warm iron.

Cracked Plaster

Make a paste of household glue and baking soda and apply to the cracks. This will delay having to re plaster.

Plastering Tip

Apply plaster as usual to cracks or small holes and brush over the area with a wet paintbrush. This eliminates excess plaster

Plastering Large Cracks

Fill large cracks with steel wool, then with plaster or plastic wood.

Rough Walls

To clean rough walls, use old nylon socks. They won't shred as you work.

Wallpaper Patches

Always tear toward the wrong side of the wallpaper when tearing paper to match--patch will not show

Lump-less Plaster

Add plaster to water, instead if vice versa, for lump-free plaster.

Plastering Tip

Add some vinegar to your plaster mixture to keep it from hardening quickly