How to Remove Wallpaper

Ah, woodchip wallpaper. The darling of 1980's interior decoration.  Although homeowners at the time made no hesitation in adorning their walls with it, many of us now find ourselves desperate to get it off in an attempt to refresh and modernise our homes. Until we find out it doesn’t budge, that is! Luckily, our guide is here to show you exactly how to remove wallpaper of any kind, quickly and easily, so your walls will be smooth and ready for paint in no time. 

Why Do I Need to Remove the Wallpaper First?

Although it’s tempting to simply paint over your existing wallpaper, it’s a far better idea to remove it first and paint directly on the walls. 

You’ll get a much better end result; painting over wallpaper can leave you with an uneven finish, and paint could emphasize any texture that’s already on the wallpaper. If your wallpaper is old, you could also end up with unsightly cracks and gaps at the joints. Not only that, painting over your wallpaper will make it far more difficult to remove when you do eventually get around to it!

However, if your house is particularly old or you suspect the integrity of your wall surfaces is poor, it’s worth removing a very small section first to check what’s underneath. It’s possible that removing the wallpaper could leave you with a much more uneven surface, or even cause damage to walls in the process. In this case, we recommend you contact a professional decorator!

Learning how to remove wallpaper and putting in those few extra hours of effort is totally worth it in the long run, and will give your walls the professional finish they deserve.

How to Remove Wallpaper Quickly and Easily:

Removing wallpaper is easy once you’re armed with a little know-how and the right tools. 

Tools for the Job:

How to Remove Wallpaper with a Wallpaper Stripping Solution:

Safety Note: 

When working with chemical solutions, always ensure your work room is well ventilated and surfaces are protected. 

Step 1: Check Your Wallpaper

The type of wallpaper, how many layers are on the wall and how well it’s stuck to the wall will determine the best method to remove it. Check the wallpaper first to see how loose or tight it is; use a scraper and peel back as much as you can.

Step 2: Mix Your Solution

When you have removed as much wallpaper as possible with the scraper, use a wallpaper remover or stripper solution. Mix the wallpaper remover solution with water. Apply liberally over the wallpaper and leave for 10-20 minutes (or as indicated on the instructions). 

Step 3: Scrape It Off

Time to start scraping! Use your scraper to start lifting and scraping strips of wallpaper off the wall. Gently peel off sections if possible.

Step 4: Use a Spiked Roller on Vinyl Wallpaper

If you’ve got vinyl wallpaper on your walls, try rolling over it with a spiked roller first. This will create tiny holes that allow the solution to absorb better into the tough vinyl surface. Then simply follow the steps above: apply the wallpaper remover solution, leave to soak in, and then remove with a scraper.

How to Remove Wallpaper with a Steamer:

If you’re wondering how to remove wallpaper covering large surface areas, a steamer is your best bet for getting the job done quickly and easily.

Safety Note: 

Electric steamers can get very hot and cause burns and scalds. Always wear appropriate work wear and protective gloves. Never let the steamer run out of water, and never leave it unattended when hot or switched on.

Step 1: Check Your Wallpaper

When using a steamer, you’ll want to check what kind of wallpaper you have, how many layers of wallpaper are on the wall and how strongly it has adhered to the wall. Scrape away a small corner using your scraper to investigate. 

Step 2: Prepare Your Steamer

Fill your steamer with water and switch it on, as per the instructions on the manual. Once you see it steaming, it’s ready for use. 

Step 3: Remove Your Wallpaper

Working from top to bottom, hold the steamer over a section of wallpaper for a few seconds until the steam has penetrated it. Once the paper appears damp, loosen it with your scraper and slowly peel it away from the wall. Use your scraper to remove any stubborn pieces still stuck on. 

Safety Note:

When using a steamer, avoid holding it over one spot on the wall for too long as this can damage the plaster.

Step 4: Keep Going!

Repeat this the whole way around the room, strip by strip, until all paper is removed. 

Which Method is the Best Way to Remove Wallpaper?

It depends!

The type of wallpaper and the size of your room will determine whether you should use a stripping solution or a steamer. 

A solution is the cheaper option and works well if you have one or two layers of standard wallpaper. A solution also works best on wallpaper that has been painted over. 

A steamer is the better option for removing particularly stubborn wallpaper, large areas of wallpaper or textured wallpaper such as woodchip. 

What’s the Best Way to Remove Painted Wallpaper?

If you are attempting to remove wallpaper that’s been painted over, taking a few steps to prepare will make your job ten times easier. 

Breaking down the surface of the paint will allow a stripping solution to absorb better, so score the wallpaper’s surface first using your spiked roller or a stiff wire brush.

Then simply follow the steps for using the wallpaper remover solution above. It might take a little more scraping than plain wallpaper!

How to Remove Self-Adhesive Wallpaper?

If you’ve applied a ‘peel and stick’ self-adhesive wallpaper and want to remove it, lucky you! The process couldn’t be easier. 

All you need to do is find a corner on one of the strips and gently peel it away, working slowly and evenly all the way down the strip.

If you come up against a stubborn patch that won’t budge, apply heat using a hairdryer for 60 seconds until the adhesive loosens, and just keep on peeling!

You can even keep some self-adhesive wallpapers to reuse in future.

How to Remove Wallpaper Glue from Walls?

So, your wallpaper is all gone, but you’ve been left with some unsightly gluey bits on your walls?

Not to worry! A solution of hot water and washing up liquid will break down the glue and remove it in no time. Simply wash the solution over walls with a soft cloth (you can use a soft brush if it’s particularly thick patches of glue) until it’s all gone. 

Now you know exactly how to remove wallpaper!

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