How To Remove Wallpaper
When you wallpaper a room, you can create a warm, inviting space while adding that personal touch. But before that, you’ll need to carry out a bit of prep work so that you’re left with a clean, smooth surface. That may involve hanging lining paper and removing old and outdated wallpaper.
Removing wallpaper isn’t always a fun DIY job, especially when you have to contend with stripping away multiple, stubborn layers. But the good news is, it doesn’t have to be difficult. There are a couple of easy methods for removing wallpaper and this how-to covers both.
Removing Wallpaper: Chemical VS Steam
The two most common ways of removing stubborn wallpaper are by using a steamer or a chemical stripper. Both methods are effective so which one should you choose?
A wallpaper steamer is an electric-powered device that heats water to create steam. This steam travels down a hose and escapes through a large steam plate. Easy to use, you simply hold the plate against the wallpaper so the steam can get to work breaking down the adhesive making the paper easy to pull away from the wall. Best of all, this environmentally-friendly method requires no soak-time so you can get straight to work!
Chemical strippers work to dissolve wallpaper paste and loosen the paper for fast removal. Some strippers require diluting whereas others can be applied directly to the wall and left to soak in. Keep in mind, good ventilation is needed when using this method to prevent build-up of fumes.
Essential Tools To Remove Wallpaper
How To Remove Wallpaper With A Steamer
First off, you'll want to clear the area of furniture and protect the floors with dust sheets. Make sure the room is well-ventilated by opening a window. Pop on some safety googles to protect your eyes.
Step 1: Get the Steamer Ready
Now it's time to set up your steamer. Be sure to follow the guidelines as set by the manufacturer.
-
Fill your steamer with water, usually you'll find a water fill line on the tank. Don't overfill it as this may cause water to leak from the hose.
- Set the steamer within easy reach and on a level surface. A good tip is position the plate higher than the tank to minimise drips as the water heats up.
- Plug in the device and allow the water to get up to temperature. You'll know when it's ready as steam will escape from the plate.
Step 2: Hold the Steam Plate Against the Wall
You'll want to start off in a corner of the room, either top or bottom, whichever you find easier.
- Hold the steamer against the edges of the wall until the wallpaper appears damp. Around 10 seconds should do.
-
Using a scraper, gently scrape at the edges to see if the paper comes away easily. If not, place the steamer back in the same spot and hold for a few more seconds before trying again with your scraper.
If the steam has penetrated the paper and loosened up the adhesive sufficiently, you should find that the wallpaper comes away in fairly large sections. It's important to gauge the right time as holding a steamer against the paper for too long could result in damage to the wall, especially in the case of plasterboard.
Step 3: Move the Steam Plate Vertically Along the Strip of Paper
Once you've loosened the corner of wallpaper, you'll find the rest a little easier.
- Moving in a vertical direction (either up or down), hold the steamer against the paper as you did in step 2.
- Use the wallpaper scraper to loosen the strip of paper, gently pulling it away from the wall.
- Continue moving vertically and be sure to keep the scraper on an angle to prevent any damage to the wall.
- Try and remove the paper in strips (as it was applied) as this keeps mess to a minimum and makes clearing up much easier!
Step 4: Move Around the Room to Remove the Remaining Wallpaper
After you've completely removed the first strip of wallpaper, move onto the next strip immediately next to it. Follow the same steps to complete the room.
Step 5: Clean the Walls
Once the wallpaper is removed, clean the walls with a sponge and sugar soap to remove any adhesive residue. This step is important for a smooth finish if you plan to repaint or apply new wallpaper.
How To Remove Wallpaper With Chemical Stripper
Before you make a start, take some time to protect your furniture and flooring by throwing down a few dust sheets and moving any furniture away from the wall. Open a window so the room remains well-ventilated as you work. It's also a good idea to wear a protective mask so you don't inhale any noxious fumes.
Step 1: Apply the Wallpaper Stripper
Depending on the brand of chemical stripper will determine whether it needs diluting or if you can use it straight out of the bottle. Follow the instructions to get the mixture ready.
-
You can either pour some of the mixture into a spray bottle or into a paint tray.
- If using a paint roller, load up a roller and apply in long strokes directly onto the wallpaper. Take care not to overload the roller to prevent unwanted drips or splashes.
- On the other hand, if using a spray bottle, liberally spray mixture across the wall, but don't oversaturate the paper otherwise it could end up dripping down the walls.
Step 2: Leave the Stripper to Soak In
Once the wallpaper is completely coated with chemical stripper, leave it to penetrate the paper and dissolve the adhesive. This usually takes a few minutes and it's important not to let the solution dry out
Step 3: Scrape Away Loose Paper
Once the chemical stripper has had time to work it's magic, use your stripping knife to remove the paper.
- Start along an edge or in a corner as this should be easier to prise the paper away from the wall.
- Move vertically along the paper strip, carefully scraping to remove the rest of the wallpaper.
- Work around the room until all the paper has been completely removed. It's a good idea to dispose of paper as you go. This ensures you won't get any sticky adhesive or chemical anywhere.
