Decorating whilst PG, what's the best way to strip wall paper and can I paint?

[zephyrcat]

The place we're moving to next week is dire. The paper has to come off immediately and I need to paint - the kitchen, for example, is bright green. Not lime green or anything, but like, tree frog green!!! Lots of coats I imagine. Not just the walls either, cupboards too!!

Strip wallpaper either by using a steam thingy designed for the job - or sponge the walls with warm water and scrape with a scraper!

Paint - yes you can paint while pregnant - cant see why not, just take it steady and dont do too much!

Are those steamy things any good though? I have memories of spending hours and hours and hours with a spray and a wet sponge and scraper when my Mum used to decorate!

they are because they are a lot hotter than water on a sponge!

not sure how much they are though, but im sure you can hire them?!

We bought one of those steamers last year. Its a black and decker one, cost about £25 from b&q and its great.

I did a massive room and hallway with it and no complaints.

I've done loads of painting in both pregnancies and plan to do more in this one. Its ok so long as you dont over do it and take some fresh air breaks.

HIre a steamer - they're much stronger than the ones you buy, and work really well (with no side-effects other than ruining your hairdo).

With paint, there's nothing proven, but I would still not want to inhale loads of vapour, so look for a paint which says low VOC (should say so on the can), i.e. less fumes. Quite a lot of them are these days, and the added benefit is that they're btter for the environment too.

Steamer it is then!!