How to Remove Wallpaper

Newer wallpaper, especially non-woven wallpapers, are designed to be strippable making them easier to peel off the wall. To strip wallpaper, find a corner and start peeling, if it peels away in a large sheet, you’re in for an easy job. However, some older wallpapers will present more of a challenge to remove.

Some wallpaper will be removed easily and some will take more time. Allow at least a full day to complete this step of the process.

Tools needed: wallpaper knife, perforating tool or wallpaper scoring tool, wallpaper removal solution, spray bottle, drop cloths.

Turn off the electricity to the room. Be mindful of the outlet and other electrical fixtures when using water to remove old wallpaper.
Remove outlet and light switch covers and cover the outlets with painter’s tape.
Take the furniture out of the room, or move it to the center of the room and cover with a cloth.
Spread the drop cloths over the entire area to protect your floors.
Mix your wallpaper removal solution (if required) with hot water in the spray bottle.
Perforate all over the surface of the wallpaper you want to remove using the scoring tool. This will allow the removal solution to seep behind the paper and loosen the adhesive.
Using the spray bottle, liberally apply the removal solution to the wallpaper and allow it to soak for the recommended amount of time (give the solution time to work, don't’ rush this step).
Once the wallpaper has loosened, peel it away with the wallpaper knife. Be careful not to gouge the wall underneath (if it happens, gouges can be repaired later). You’ll need to remove the backing paper ,too.
If there are patches of old wallpaper that cling to the wall, try soaking again with the removal solution.
Lastly, spray any residual adhesive with the removal solution and sponge down the entire wall with clean, hot water. Make sure you clean off all the old glue.
Allow the wall surfaces to dry completely before installing new wallpaper.

Remove Wet Strippable Wallpaper

Tools needed: bucket or tray for water, paint roller, paper knife or spatula

Turn off the electricity to the room. Be mindful of the outlet and other electrical fixtures when using water to remove old wallpaper.
Remove outlet and light switch covers and cover the outlets with painter’s tape.
Take the furniture out of the room, or move it to the center of the room and cover with a cloth.
Apply clean hot water directly to the wall using a paint roller. Start to roll upward to avoid excess water on the floor. Keep the surface soaking wet for at least 15 minutes by adding water as the paper dries.
Use the paper knife or a spatula to lift the top of the wallpaper panel across the full width to allow you to use both hands to gently peel away the old wallpaper.
If the wallpaper layers come apart, continue to peel off the top layer then add more water to the backing for five minutes. Then use the spatula to lift the layer and peel off the backing.
Usually letting the wallpaper soak longer will allow you to peel off larger pieces.

Remove Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Peel and stick will come off the wall in full sheets. To remove peel and stick wallpaper, start at the top corner and pull the wallpaper down firmly but gently, working parallel to the wall.

Remove Strippable Wallpaper

Strippable wallpaper is the easiest to remove and will come off the wall in full sheets.

To remove strippable wallpaper:

Start at the top corner of a panel of wallpaper, using a scraper or utility knife if needed, peel back a small section.
Slowly pull the entire sheet straight down keeping your hands close to the wall.
If a panel seems stuck or hard to remove, spraying water across the front of the paper can help make removal easier.
Apply warm water and a small amount of dish soap to a sponge and wipe down the walls to clean off any paste that didn’t come off the wall with the paper.

How to Remove WallpaperUpdated a month ago