When painting, hanging wallpaper or putting on another wall treatment, it is common to have leftover glue residue. These sticky remnants take away from the smooth surface of drywall and will ruin the look of your fresh paint job or whatever else is going on underneath. Removing glue without damaging the drywall is tricky, but there are ways to do it with minimal fuss and bother.

First Removing glue from drywall you’ll want to identify what type of adhesive you are dealing with. Gently rub your finger over the residue to get a feel for the texture. If it feels tough and has no give, you are likely dealing with super bonding glue; if the residue is soft and pliable, you may be working with rubber cement or another similar product.

Effective Ways to Remove Glue from Drywall Without Damage

Once you have identified what type of glue you are dealing with, start by spraying the area with a water-and-dish soap mix. Using a plastic scraper or putty knife, begin to gently work the glue off the wall. This process takes a long time and you will need to be patient, but it is worth the effort. Continue this process until all the glue is removed from the wall, taking care to not damage the drywall.

If the glue is still resistant, try applying some heat to it. A heat gun works well for this, but be careful and follow the instructions on your model. This step should soften the glue and make it easier to remove with a plastic scraper or paint scraper.