How to Remove Wallpaper

Is your wallpaper looking a little outdated? When it's time to upgrade the wallpaper or give the room a new coat of paint, it's always a good idea to first remove the old wallpaper.

To remove wallpaper, first look for any loose seams or corners to peel away large sections of paper by hand. Use a drop cloth to catch the debris.

However, the paper rarely comes off the wall completely when pulling by hand. To remove the remaining paper without damaging the wall surface, you need to weaken the chemical bond of the glue. You have two options: Use a liquid wallpaper stripper or use a steam-powered stripper. 

Before employing either method, use a perforation tool to abrade the paper, cutting tiny holes in the surface which will soak up the liquid. The perforation tool, sold at most hardware stores, is a palm-sized handle with wheeled spurs that perforate the paper. You can also score the paper with a utility knife in a criss-cross pattern with 6-inch spacing. Score all areas where wallpaper is still adhered.  

When using a chemical stripper, mix the liquid with hot water, according to the

manufacturer’s instructions. Use a paint roller or spray bottle to apply it to the

perforated paper.

Wait ten minutes for the stripper to weaken the glue, then peel

off as much wallpaper as you can with your hands. For the remaining paper, use

a 3-inch scraper at a shallow angle to remove it without nicking the drywall.  

A steam-cleaning machine heats water to more than 200 degrees to apply steam

through a hose. A plate at the end of the hose plate collects the steam over a targeted

area. Hold the steam plate flat against the wallpaper for 10 seconds. The steam will

heat and dampen the paper, which loosens the glue and makes it easy to remove

with a scraper.

After removing the wallpaper, use fresh water and a sponge to thoroughly wash and rinse the wall to remove glue residue before priming and painting.

--

Editor's Note: A version of this article appeared in The Quick & Easy Home DIY Manual by Matt Weber.