How to Remove Wallpaper in 7 Steps

Wallpaper is a type of wall covering that you can apply to drywall or plaster walls for an instant makeover. Wallpaper makes it easy to add texture, color, and patterns to any room. There are a few different types of wallpaper. Some of the most common types include vinyl wallpaper, wallpaper borders, and strippable wallpaper.

Every type of wallpaper has a coated paper surface and an adhesive back layer. Homeowners who purchase older homes are likely to encounter outdated wallpaper in their new homes, but you don't need to hire a contractor to remove it. With a little elbow grease, wallpaper removal is a rewarding DIY project that typically takes no more than a day.

Whether you plan to hang new wallpaper or paint the walls, it’s important to remove the old stuff first. Before starting this DIY project, consider the tools you'll need for the removal process.

1. 1. Putty knife: Use a five-inch metal scraping tool to help you get the wallpaper off and for patching the wall surface.
2. 2. Spackling: Patch gouges in the wall before painting or hanging new wallpaper.
3. 3. Sandpaper: Lightly sand the wall surface before finishing with new paint or wallpaper.
4. 4. Wallpaper scoring tool: The scorer makes small perforations in the wallpaper, allowing better penetration of the wallpaper removal solution.
5. 5. Warm water: Warm water helps dissolve the wallpaper glue. Avoid using boiling water and instead use hot water that you can handle comfortably.
6. 6. Wallpaper removal solution: Make a homemade solvent for removing wallpaper by mixing a quarter cup of fabric softener with three quarters of a cup of hot water or a third of a cup of distilled white vinegar with two thirds of a cup of hot water.
7. 7. Spray bottle: Use a sport sprayer or pressure sprayer filled with a wallpaper removal solution.
8. 8. Screwdriver: Use a screwdriver to remove the light switch and outlet covers.
9. 9. Drop cloth: Protect the floors, electrical outlets, and baseboards by covering them with plastic tarps or drop cloths.
10. 10. Painter's tape: Painter's tape will help you keep the tarps in place.
11. 11. Rubber gloves: The removal process can get messy. Keep your hands clean by wearing rubber gloves.
12. 12. Wallpaper steamer (optional): Wallpaper steamers are typically available for rent at your local hardware store. They're particularly good at removing stubborn wallpaper. Depending on your removal method, you may or may not need a wallpaper steamer.

Most interior designers and home improvement specialists will agree that the best option in an older home is almost always to remove wallpaper instead of painting over it. Follow this step-by-step guide for removing old wallpaper.

1. 1. Prepare the area. Start by clearing the room of furniture. Remove any light fixtures that might get in the way. Take off the light switch and electrical outlet covers. Cover the floors and baseboard with a plastic tarp. Use painter's tape to tape the tarp above the baseboards. You may want to cut the power to the room you're working in to avoid the risk of electrical shock.
2. 2. Determine your wallpaper and wall types. Drywall can become damaged if made too wet, while plaster walls tend to be more durable. Knowing what wall type you're working with can help you determine how much solution to apply. If you determine that your wallpaper is strippable wallpaper, you can easily remove the wallpaper with a scraper. Just be sure to wash the walls with soap and warm water to ensure you've removed all of the wallpaper adhesive.
3. 3. Make a solution. Make a homemade solvent for removing wallpaper by mixing one part fabric softener with three parts hot water or one part distilled white vinegar with two parts hot water.
4. 4. Spray on the solution. Fill your sprayer with the solution and spray the walls, working in small sections. Allow the solution to sit for five minutes to fully penetrate the paper.
5. 5. Score the wallpaper. Using your scraper, find a seam of the wallpaper and try to scrape it off. If it is stubborn or feels dry, consider using a wallpaper scoring tool. The scoring tool makes tiny holes in the top layer of wallpaper so that the solution can fully penetrate the paper. Roll the scoring tool across the wall in a circular motion, then apply more solution before you start scraping again.
6. 6. Scrape off the damp wallpaper. Find a seam on the wall and use your scraper to lift off an edge. Scape your way from the bottom of the wall to the top. Be careful not to gouge the wall as you go. Work in small sections until you've removed all the wallpaper from the entire wall.
7. 7. Clean up. Once you've scraped off all the wallpaper, discard the old wallpaper scraps in a garbage bin. Wash the walls with soap and water to remove any left-over wallpaper paste. Fill gouges or holes with spackling paste and lightly sand the patches before painting or hanging new wallpaper.

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