How to Remove WallpaperUpdated 5 months ago

Removing Strippable Wallpaper:

1. Start at the top corner of a panel of wallpaper, using a scraper or utility knife if needed, peel back a small section. Usually strippable wallpaper comes off the wall in full strips.

2. Slowly pull the entire sheet straight down keeping your hands close to the wall. 

3. If a panel seems stuck or hard to remove, spraying water across the front of the paper can help make removal easier.

4. 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.

Removing Wet Strippable Wallpaper: 

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

1. Turn off the electricity to the room. Be mindful of the outlet and other electrical fixtures when using water to remove old wallpaper.

2. Remove outlet and light switch covers and cover the outlets with painter’s tape.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

Tip: Usually letting the wallpaper soak longer will allow you to peel off larger pieces.

Removing Peel & Stick Wallpaper:

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

Removing Older Wallpaper: 

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

1. Turn off the electricity to the room. Be mindful of the outlet and other electrical fixtures when using water to remove old wallpaper.

2. Remove outlet and light switch covers and cover the outlets with painter’s tape.

3. 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.

4. Mix your wallpaper removal solution (if required) with hot water in the spray bottle.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. If there are patches of old wallpaper that cling to the wall, try soaking again with the removal solution.

9. 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.

Tip: Allow the wall surfaces to dry completely before installing new wallpaper.