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How to Strip Wallpaper
How to remove wallpaper
Before hanging new wallpaper or applying a fresh coat of paint to a wall, you’ll need to remove any existing wallpaper. While it’s possible to hang wallpaper over an existing layer, the finish won’t be as smooth, and it will be significantly harder to remove in future.
In this guide, we’ll outline the equipment you’ll need, the best removal methods, and how to prep walls for painting after removing wallpaper. Read on to find out more.x
Equipment needed to strip wallpaper
The essential tools and equipment you’ll need to strip wallpaper include:
Masking tape
Plastic sheeting or plastic bags (to protect sockets and switches)
Bin bags
A bucket
A sponge or cloth
Cleaning products (to use after removing wallpaper)
You may also need some extra equipment depending on the method you use, which we’ll outline in the relevant section below.
1. Clear the room
Remove furniture and decorative accessories from the room. This includes taking pictures, mirrors, and shelves off the walls, and protecting any sockets and switches with masking tape and plastic sheeting. If there’s anything you can’t remove, push it into the centre of the room and cover it with dust sheets.
2. Switch off the electricity
Turn off the electricity supply using your fuse box, in case any water or steam gets into the light fixtures, sockets or switches.
3. Lay down dust sheets
Protect your floor and simplify the cleaning process by covering all flooring and surfaces with dust sheets.
The best methods to remove wallpaper
There are two main options for stripping wallpaper: a chemical stripping solution or an electric steam stripper. Whichever you choose, make sure to follow this safety advice and wear the appropriate PPE:
Keep all tools, chemicals and adhesives out of the way of children or pets.
Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from falling debris.
Wear protective goggles when working with chemicals and heat.
Open doors and windows to keep the room well-ventilated.
Ensure someone is around to hold the ladder when working at height.
How to remove wallpaper without a steamer
A chemical stripping solution may be sufficient if you’re only taking off wallpaper from a small area, or if there are only one or two layers to remove. You can buy a ready-to-use solution, or make your own using warm water and washing-up liquid. Follow these steps to remove wallpaper without a steamer:
Prepare your solution. If you’re using a chemical stripper, follow the instructions on the product to prepare your solution. Some solutions are ready to use, while others may need to be diluted with water. Once it’s ready, transfer it into a spray bottle.
Spray the wall. Apply the solution to a small section of the wall, as instructed on the product packaging, and let it absorb for a few minutes.
Scrape the wallpaper off. Use your stripping knife to remove the wallpaper, holding it flat against the wall and taking care not to damage the wall behind by working too forcefully. Once you’ve removed the paper from this section, repeat steps 2 and 3 across the entire wall or room.
How to remove wallpaper using an electric steam stripper
An electric steam stripper is ideal for tackling larger areas and stubborn spots, and these machines generally make removing wallpaper much quicker and easier. However, there are a few precautions to be aware of when using an electric steam stripper, including:
Always read the manufacturer’s instructions before you start.
Wear heat-resistant gloves.
Never leave the steam stripper unattended when it is switched on.
Do not allow the steamer to boil dry.
Turn off the power and leave to cool before refilling the tank.
Once you’re ready to start the removal process, follow these steps for best results:
Fill the tank with water. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prepare the steamer, filling it with water and letting it heat up before you get started.
Steam the wallpaper. Starting at the bottom of the wall, hold the steamer up to the wallpaper for around 10 seconds, until the paper appears damp. Take care not to over-steam the plasterboard underneath. Work your way up the wall in small sections, pulling off loose wallpaper in an upwards motion as you go.
Scrape off the wallpaper. Use your stripping knife to scrape off any wallpaper that hasn’t come away. If the steam hasn’t fully penetrated the wallpaper, you may need to use a scoring tool to make small holes in the paper. Repeat steps 2 and 3 across the entire wall or room.
Removing wallpaper from hard-to-reach areas
Learn how to remove wallpaper from tricky areas, including behind radiators and on ceilings.
How to remove wallpaper behind a radiator
For thorough removal, we’d recommend taking the radiator off the wall. However, there are several ways you can remove wallpaper from behind a radiator without doing this.
We’d recommend using a steamer to remove as much as you can around the radiator, then dip a cloth or sponge in a solution of warm water and washing-up liquid and apply it to the wallpaper. Ensure you saturate the hard-to-reach areas, then scrape off as much as possible using a stripping knife.
It could be worth investing in a scraping tool with a long handle[AB1] , or you could tape the stripping knife to a long stick to reach behind the radiator.
How to remove wallpaper from ceilings
The process is the same whether you’re removing wallpaper from walls or ceilings, no matter which method you choose. However, using an electric steam stripper may be easier and less messy than chemical solutions.
Removing textured wallpaper
Textured or previously painted wallpaper can be more challenging to remove. Learn more about removing woodchip wallpaper and painted wallpaper here.
How to remove woodchip wallpaper
Woodchip wallpaper is particularly stubborn to remove, so you’ll need to take a few extra steps. Our Academy expert Mark Rigby advises:
“You can use steam or a chemical stripping solution to remove woodchip wallpaper, depending on your preference. However, the main difference with this wallpaper type is that the surface is thicker and harder. So, you’ll need to use a perforating tool such as a "hedgehog" or "paper tiger" or to simply use a wide scraper to take of the woodchips on the paper to allow penetration. Before you apply steam or a chemical stripper, making it easier for moisture to penetrate through and loosen the adhesive underneath.”
How to remove painted wallpaper
Removing painted wallpaper is no different to standard wallpaper removal. However, if the wallpaper has several layers of paint on top, you may need to score it first to let the steam or chemical stripper penetrate through.
Cleaning wallpaper-free walls
Once you’ve finished taking the wallpaper off your walls, you’ll need to remove any adhesive residue to ensure your wall is clean and smooth, ready for redecorating:During removal, pick up the old wallpaper and put it into bin bags, as it will stick to the dust sheet when it dries and become tricky to remove.
Scrape off any remaining pieces of wallpaper with your stripping knife. Then, wipe the wall with warm water and sugar soap solution using a damp sponge or cloth. It’s worth going over the wall a few times to ensure it’s as clean as possible, so the fresh paint or wallpaper you apply has a flawless finish.
Use specialist surface cleanersto remove stubborn residue. If sugar soap isn’t sufficient, you might need a solvent-based cleaning product. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the product won’t damage the walls.
Dry the wall with a clean cloth, and leave the wall to dry out thoroughly before turning the power back on and beginning the redecoration process.
If you’re worried that removing old wallpaper will lead to bigger problems with your drywall or brickwork, read our guide to painting over wallpaper for an alternative solution.