diff --git a/lib/databases/mysql b/lib/databases/mysql
index ec65c36..0633ab0 100644
--- a/lib/databases/mysql
+++ b/lib/databases/mysql
@@ -10,6 +10,24 @@
 
 register_database mysql
 
+# Get rid of everything enough to cleanly change database backends
+function cleanup_database_mysql {
+    if is_ubuntu; then
+        # Get ruthless with mysql
+        stop_service $MYSQL
+        sudo aptitude purge -y ~nmysql-server
+        sudo rm -rf /var/lib/mysql
+        return
+    elif is_fedora; then
+        MYSQL=mysqld
+    elif is_suse; then
+        MYSQL=mysql
+    else
+        return
+    fi
+    stop_service $MYSQL
+}
+
 function recreate_database_mysql {
     local db=$1
     local charset=$2
diff --git a/lib/databases/postgresql b/lib/databases/postgresql
index 7d4a6c5..efc206f 100644
--- a/lib/databases/postgresql
+++ b/lib/databases/postgresql
@@ -10,6 +10,20 @@
 
 register_database postgresql
 
+# Get rid of everything enough to cleanly change database backends
+function cleanup_database_postgresql {
+    stop_service postgresql
+    if is_ubuntu; then
+        # Get ruthless with mysql
+        sudo aptitude purge -y  ~npostgresql
+        return
+    elif is_fedora; then
+        uninstall_package postgresql-server
+    else
+        return
+    fi
+}
+
 function recreate_database_postgresql {
     local db=$1
     local charset=$2