How to Remove Wallpaper

Before you start to wallpaper, you will need to remove any old wallpaper still on the walls. This can turn into a task and a half, so find out how to remove wallpaper the professional way, and get the job done with half the time and effort...

Walls should be:

• clean
• dry
• smooth
• free from imperfections

Sanding and filling may be necessary, or you may need to start removing wallpaper.

It is rarely a good idea to hang new wallpaper on top of existing wallpaper, so removing wallpaper, in this situation, will be necessary.

You might have heard tales of how much hassle removing wallpaper can be…? It is true that it is not an easy job – it is hard work and time consuming - but can be strangely satisfying!

Personally, it is not a job that I’ve ever particularly relished, but it has to be done. These hints and tips on how to remove wallpaper can help you in removing wallpaper with the minimum of effort and fuss!

I have had the ‘joys’ of removing wallpaper of all different types, over the years. I have found some were very simple to remove, but others have been very stubborn. I do tend to find that woodchip wallpaper is, by far, the hardest to remove – but even here - Don’t Worry! - these tips on how to remove wallpaper are here to help…

See how to remove wallpaper with this short video clip…or continue reading the instructions below…

How to Remove Wallpaper

• Firstly – try to find a loose corner or seam, somewhere in the wallpaper you want to remove…
• Simply give it a good tug, and see how much comes off. You might be pleasantly surprised – sometimes huge tracts of paper will come off in great chunks.
• At this point, you may still have a greater or lesser amount of paper left on, and perhaps still some backing paper and paste.
• If you have much actual wallpaper left on, the best way of removing this wallpaper is as follows:
  • Scour the surface of the paper with a special scouring tool, or a knife.

    If you use a knife, scour lightly, and be careful not to cut into the wall beneath.

  • The remaining paper, and any backing paper, should then be soaked in water. You have a number of options:
    • sponge on warm, soapy water
    • spray on warm soapy water
    • use a heated wallpaper stripper/steamer (Follow manufacturer’s instructions)
  • Once you have wetted the paper, you should allow some time for the water to soak in thoroughly, before removing the wallpaper, and continue to keep the paper wet, whilst you are working on it.
  • Only prepare a small area beforehand – just enough for you to work on before it goes dry.
  • Remove the wallpaper with a wallpaper scraper - use it quite lightly so that you don’t gouge marks in your walls.
  • Any odd scraps of paper or paste, still stuck to the wall, can be sponged off with some warm, soapy water.
• Always allow your wall to dry out thoroughly before hanging your new wallpaper.

Watch the removing wallpaper process with this short video clip…

Simply click on the image to start the video player…

You should make sure that your walls are totally smooth. If you need any help with this, watch the video below…

Simply click on the image to start the video player…

Have you chosen your new wallpaper yet? Find out about all the different types of wallpaper available in this wallpaper primer.

Get your calculations right… take a look at this wallpaper sizing and calculations guide.

Basic Instructions and Techniques How to Wallpaper Find out how to wallpaper, here...

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