Timely Tips© Volume 3, Issue 9; September 2006: An "Off The Wall" Timesaver -- Literally

As many of you know, we are expecting our second child in December (here comes a crazy holiday season!) Part of this process is preparing our home for a new little life, and to facilitate this, we are moving our daughter Halle into her new room, the old guest bedroom. That room has had "80's style" wallpaper in it since we moved in, and we are in the process of removing the wallpaper to paint the walls "yellow, pink and white", per our 3-year-old daughter Halle's specific instructions.

Usually, wallpaper removal is a MAJOR HASSLE -- takes forever and exposes you to many nasty chemicals. But I learned a very cool tip recently I thought you would all be interested to know. The best wallpaper removal product on the market: Herbal Essences Shampoo!! Yes, the same stuff you wash your hair with!

Get a spray bottle -- fill 1/4 of the bottle or less with Herbal Essences, and the rest with water. Shake it a bit, then spray on your "scored" wallpaper. Let it sit for about ten minutes, then have a BLAST peeling off big clean sheets of wallpaper. Depending on how well it was attached or glued, it may come off in the first application. Or, you'll need to hit it with the "super shampoo" 2-3 times, but that wallpaper will come down!

I know it sounds pretty nutty -- but try it. You'll be surprised how well it works. I've also had Dawn Dish Detergent recommended to me too, but I haven't had the chance to try it. If you do, please let me know how it works also.