Tools and Materials
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How to Take Off Wallpaper
If you're refinishing a previously papered surface, you'll usually need to strip the wallpaper.
There are some conditions under which you may decide not to remove existing wallpaper. You can safely paper over a single layer of smooth, well-adhered wallpaper if it's free of bubbles, buckles and wrinkles. You'll need to do some prep work, including repasting any loose paper, patching as necessary, cleaning the walls and applying a special primer.
Installation over existing paper isn't recommended if:
- You suspect there may be more than a single layer of wallpaper on the surface.
- The existing wallpaper has a vinyl, foil or plastic film. In this case, the wallpaper should be removed even if there's only one layer in good condition. Wallpaper adhesive won't adhere well to these surfaces.
- You're planning to hang vinyl wallpaper. If the previous wallpaper is also vinyl, the glue between the two papers won't dry well. If the old wallpaper isn't vinyl, the glue under it may get wet and start to mildew.
- The existing wallpaper is grass cloth, burlap or cork.
- You can hear crinkling sounds when running your hand over the surface of the wall. If you do, the wallpaper has buckled and it needs to be removed.
- If there are tears in the wallpaper at the corners of the walls; when walls settle, the wallpaper sometimes tears in a corner.
If you're planning to paint, you must remove the wallpaper. Paint will seal the surface and make the wallpaper almost impossible to remove in the future. Also, the painted surface won't look as smooth as it could and your efforts will be wasted.
Identify Your Wall Type
It's important to know what kind of walls you have before you begin. The age of the wall usually determines whether it's drywall or plaster.
Plaster
Plaster is found mostly in homes that are more than 50 years old. In plaster walls, wood lath is nailed to wood-framed walls and covered with two or three coats of plaster. These walls are more solid and sound dull if you knock on them.
Drywall
Drywall, used in homes for the past 50 years or so, is a sheet of chalk-like substance covered with lightweight cardboard. These sheets are nailed over wood-framed walls and have a hollow sound when you knock on them. Drywall is more delicate than plaster, so be careful not to damage the cardboard facing when using a wallpaper scraping tool.
A Little Prep Work
Before you start to work, you'll need to prepare your room. Follow these steps:
Remove Strippable Wallpaper
The best way to remove wallpaper depends on what type of wallpaper it is. Newer wallpapers are strippable, which means they can be easily removed without water or chemicals. If you know the wallpaper you're trying to remove was hung in recent years, you may be in luck. Strippable wallpaper offers the easiest way to remove wallpaper. Here's how to check.
Strip Wallpaper With Water
You'll need a liquid stripper concentrate for this job. Mix it with hot water according to the manufacturer's directions. Apply the mixture to your walls with a broad brush or a sprayer. Work from top to bottom, one section at a time. Don't try to tackle such a large area that the paper dries before you have a chance to remove it. Let the paper soak for a few minutes and then start stripping it away with a scraper.
Sometimes, old paper just won't absorb water. When this happens, scuff the surface with coarse sandpaper or a scoring tool to allow the water to soak into the paper. Once it's thoroughly soaked, apply the wetting agent twice more and let it soak for 30 minutes. You'll know it's ready when you can scrape off pieces with your fingernail.
Follow the manufacturer's safety and use instructions and wear the appropriate protective gear when working with chemicals.
Remove Peelable Wallpaper
Some wallpaper is peelable, which means that they have a topcoat that comes off just like strippable paper. Once you've peeled off the top vinyl coat, you'll have the backing left. Follow the directions for stripping with water to remove the backing. Don't leave the backing on, even if it's in good condition.
Remove Washable Wallpaper
The surface that makes washable wallpaper easy to clean also makes it a little harder to remove. You must break through the plastic film that covers the paper for water to penetrate the paper. Use a scoring tool to create holes in the wallpaper. Use a spray bottle to soak the paper. Spray water into the slits so it can work its way behind the covering. Wait about 10 minutes and then scrape off the paper with a putty knife.
Steam Removal
The last resort for removing wallpaper is to steam-strip. This job is strenuous because you must steam and strip at the same time. You might want to ask a friend for help.
A steamer is a wallpaper removal tool that uses boiling water to soften the glue between the wallpaper and the wall. If you're removing vinyl-coated wallpaper with a steamer, you still have to use a scoring tool to punch holes in the paper so the steam can reach the glue.
You can rent a steamer instead of purchasing one since this probably isn't a job you'll do very often. Carefully read the manufacturer's directions, since they may vary by machine. The basic steps are:
Clean the Walls
Now that the wallpaper's been removed, the walls need to be cleaned.
Extra Paste Residue
If you have a lot of paste residue after removing the wallpaper, it's a good idea to use a wallpaper stripper. Follow the directions on the bottle. Typically, you'll spray it on and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Then use a scraper to remove the stripper. Using a sponge and hot water, rinse the walls. Repeat these steps until the walls are clean. Then dry them off with a rag or cloth.
Light Paste Residue
If there isn't a lot of paste after removing the wallpaper, then you can use a simple solution to clean the walls. Mix warm water and dish soap in a bottle. Spray the mixture onto the walls and use a sponge to clean them. Dry the walls off with a clean cloth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to some common questions about removing wallpaper.
How Do I Remove a Wallpaper Border?
Once you know how to remove wallpaper, you already know how to remove a wallpaper border. Borders can be removed in one of several ways.
- Just like removing wallpaper glue, removing a border can be done with water and liquid wallpaper remover. Use a spray bottle to wet the border. If this doesn't work, you can also try warm water to remove the piece.
- Use a hair dryer to heat the border and see if it will loosen. The adhesive behind it can be heated and loosened for easy peeling.
Once the border is removed, you'll need to repaint the room.
What's the Easiest Way to Remove Old Wallpaper?
Unlike modern options, older wallpaper will be as tough to remove — though the basic techniques remain the same. Try removing old wallpaper with hot water, vinegar or liquid remover, and use a scraper.
Can I Just Pull Wallpaper Off?
Using only your bare hands to remove wallpaper would be a very tough and time-consuming challenge. The main problem with hand-removing wallpaper is that the glue is dry and will resist if you don't have anything to loosen it with. It's very likely you'll only tear off very small strips one at a time. Plus, much more residue will be left on your wall that's even harder to peel off. Always use the right tools and resources to ensure the removal job is finished as soon as possible.