Here is a step-by-step guide to easy wallpaper removal.

1. Everything You Need to
Know about Removing
Wallpaper
EUGENE CHRINIAN

2. There’s no way around it: removing wallpaper is a task that can challenge the patience of even
the most dedicated DIYer. But it’s amazing what a difference the proper tools and a little know-
how can make. Read on for some top tips to help make your next wallpaper removal project as
smooth as possible.

3. Why remove wallpaper at all?
Depending on what kind of wallpaper you have and what your plans are for refinishing the walls,
it may not be necessary to remove the wallpaper. If the paper currently on your walls is smooth,
well-adhered, in a single layer, and free of bubbles and wrinkles, it is possible to safely paper over
it after doing some basic prep work.
However, you should certainly plan to remove the wallpaper before repapering if any of the
following conditions apply: there is more than a single layer of wallpaper on the surface; the
existing wallpaper is burlap, grass cloth, or has a plastic or vinyl film; you can hear a crinkling
sound, indicating buckling, when you run your hand over the wall’s surface; or if there are any
visible tears or bubbles in the wallpaper. In addition, wallpaper must absolutely be removed if
you are planning to paint the walls.

4. Identify your wall type.
Before you begin wallpaper removal, it’s
important to know what kind of walls you’re
working with so that you can use the proper
tools for the job. Homes that are over 50
years old will often have plaster walls, which
are very solid and produce a dull sound when
knocked on. Homes built within the last 50
years will typically have walls made of
drywall, which sounds hollow when knocked
on. As drywall is more delicate than plaster,
it’s important to be particularly careful not to
damage it when using a scraping tool for
wallpaper removal.

5. Prep the room.
For wallpaper removal, you’ll want to prep the room much as you would if you were painting it.
Take everything off the walls and remove as much furniture as possible from the room (and
make sure what furniture is left is well-covered). Spread plastic or canvas dropcloths over the
floor and tape them to the baseboards to prevent wallpaper scraps from getting everywhere.

6. For strippable wallpaper.
Newer wallpapers are made for easy removal without
water or chemicals, so if you are working with
strippable wallpaper, your removal task will be much
easier. To test the type of wallpaper, choose a corner
or a seam near the bottom of the wall, and pry the
edge of the paper with a putty knife. If it pulls away
easily, you have strippable wallpaper: all you need to
do now is to grab the lower corner of a strip of paper
and pull till both corners are free, and then pull up
the bottom edge with both hands until the strip is
completely detached from the wall.Image courtesy Robin Zebrowski | Flickr

7. Removing wallpaper with a stripping
solution.
There are many commercially available solvents out there that you can use to remove wallpaper,
but a mixture of fabric softener and hot water is often just as effective. Using a spray bottle, mix
up your solution: it’s a good idea to keep the batches small so the water stays as hot as possible.
With a wallpaper scorer, make some small holes in the paper to allow the solution to better soak
through to the adhesive base. Spray solution on a section of wallpaper until it is completely
saturated, then wait for a few minutes.
When the paper is soft, grab strips from the bottom and pull upward, using a putty knife to help
release any spots that are stuck. When all the wallpaper is removed, mix a tablespoon of dish
detergent into a bucket of very hot water, and use a sponge to carefully clean the walls,
scrubbing off all traces of wallpaper adhesive. Then rinse the walls with clean water, and use
towels to dry.

8. Removing wallpaper with a steamer.
Wallpaper steamers use boiling water to soften the adhesive between the wallpaper and the
wall. Steam-stripping wallpaper can be a strenuous job since it involves steaming and scraping at
the same time, but it may be an effective solution if you are working with particularly stubborn
old wallpaper, or multiple layers of paper.
It’s usually best to rent a steamer (hopefully you won’t be doing this job too often), and to
carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions. The basic operating principles are to fill the
reservoir with warm water, wait for it to boil, and then hold the steam pad firmly on a section of
wallpaper for about 30 seconds.
Once the steam has loosened the paper, you can then remove it with a scraper; it is often
helpful to consider steam wallpaper removal a two-person job, with one person steaming and
one person scraping. When you are using the steamer, ensure that you are wearing proper
protective goggles and gloves.