LESLIE: Kitty in Wisconsin needs some help with a wallpapering project. What can we do for you?
KITTY: I was wondering, what is the easiest way to remove wallpaper that’s been on a wall for about probably 10 years?
TOM: Get used to it. It’s tough to remove but I can give you a couple of tricks of the trade.
KITTY: OK.
TOM: First of all, you want to start with a chemical remover. Before you do that, you’re going to run a little tool called a Paper Tiger over it that puts little, tiny perforated holes in it.
KITTY: Oh, OK. I’ve heard of that.
TOM: That helps the solution – yeah, that helps the solution get behind it. And by the way, if you’re in a pinch for a wallpaper remover, you can use fabric softener, too.
LESLIE: Mm-hmm. Fabric softener and water and it’s usually about 10 to 1, being 10 parts water and 1 part liquid fabric softener.
And what you would do is you mix the solution and then you just spray it or rag-soak it onto the wall.
KITTY: Oh, OK. I’ve heard of that, also, before.
LESLIE: Mm-hmm. The spray bottle will help it be less messy.
TOM: Yep. And it makes your wall smell lemony-fresh.
KITTY: Oh, OK. Great.
LESLIE: I mean I would sort of try the fabric softener first, because it works surprisingly well. And it’s so much less detrimental to you, your hands, the odor in the house. It’s just – it’s a much more pleasant working environment.
KITTY: And you said 10 to 1. Fabric softener, 10 to 1, eh?
LESLIE: Mm-hmm. Ten ounces of water, one ounce fabric softener.
KITTY: OK. Thank you.
TOM: You’re very welcome. And by the way, if you’re trying to get this wallpaper off and that doesn’t work, the next step beyond that is to rent a wallpaper steamer.
KITTY: OK. I’ve heard of that, also. OK.
TOM: OK? And that’ll do the trick.
KITTY: OK, thank you.
TOM: You’re very welcome. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.
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