How to remove wall stickers

Vinyl wall stickers and decals have grown more and more popular in recent years, and it’s no surprise – they’re an easy, quick way to add a personal touch to your bedroom or living room without redoing the whole wall. But when the time comes – whether you’re moving house or just want to switch up the décor – can you remove wall stickers without damaging the paint underneath? Here’s how to remove wall decals easily and without fuss.

You will need:

• A hairdryer

• A little patience

The most important thing to bear in mind when you learn how to remove wall stickers is the effect of the adhesive on the paint or wallpaper. This will depend on the quality of the adhesive and how long the sticker has been on the wall. Many wall decals are not designed to be left up for too long, but rather than losing its effectiveness as it grows older, the adhesive grows stronger and may even start to soak into the paint. This won’t just mean that the sticker is harder to remove – it makes it more likely to leave a residue on the wall as well. So removing a vinyl wall decal that’s been on the wall for a while will be easier if you loosen it first by applying heat.

An all-purpose cleaner like Cif Cream, used with a gentle hand, can work wonders on any sticky residue left on your walls by stickers. Just remember to test in a small area first and to read the directions on the label.

How to Remove Wall Decals – Step by Step

1. Turn on your hairdryer at the lowest setting to begin with. Start with a small section of the sticker, holding the hairdryer between five and eight inches away from the wall, and test the temperature of the surface with your hand every few second. When it feels warm to the touch, switch the hairdryer off – if the adhesive heats up too much it’ll become tacky and may not come away when you remove the vinyl wall decal.

2. Now gently peel back a corner of the sticker. It should come easily away from the wall; if it doesn’t, bring the hairdryer back for a few more seconds and try again.

3. Continue peeling the decal off the wall, applying the heat from the hairdryer to each section as needed. Work slowly to avoid causing damage to the paint underneath – this is where that patience comes in, especially if you’re trying to learn how to remove wall quote decals which are likely to have a more complex shape or design.

So there you have it – how to remove vinyl wall decals. If you follow these instructions you should find that your wall stickers come off without a trace, but if there is any residue you can gently clean it off with a damp cloth. If the residue proves stubborn, a dab of a mild all-purpose cleaner like Cif cream should give you the help you need to lift the rest of it away.

Remember, if you haven’t used this kind of product on your paintwork before then it’s a good idea to test it on an inconspicuous area first. That way you will know how to remove wall word decals and other wall stickers without damaging the paintwork beneath.