How to Remove Wallpaper

easyHome Repair2-3 hours8 steps

Safety Warnings

Turn off electricity to wall outlets and switches before starting if using liquid strippers
Wear protective eyewear when scrubbing walls to avoid splashes in eyes
Ensure the room is well-ventilated if using chemical wallpaper removers

Putty knife — 2-inch stainless steel

Scoring tool — Wallpaper tiger or similar

Sponge — Large synthetic absorbent

Bucket — 5-gallon plastic

Wallpaper stripping solution — Enzyme-based or commercial grade(1 gallon)

Warm water — Tap water(As needed)

Prepare the room by removing furniture and covering the floors with drop cloths to protect from water and adhesive residue.

Tip: Ensure all electrical cover plates are removed before wetting the walls.

Score the surface of the wallpaper using a scoring tool to create small perforations in the paper.

Tip: Do not press too hard to avoid gouging the underlying drywall.

Mix the wallpaper stripping solution with warm water in a bucket according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Tip: Warm water helps activate the enzymes in the stripping solution more effectively.

Apply the solution generously to the wall using a sponge or sprayer, ensuring the paper is thoroughly saturated.

Tip: Allow the solution to soak for 15-20 minutes to soften the adhesive.

Gently peel the wallpaper away from the wall starting from a corner or seam.

Tip: If the paper is 'strippable', it may come off in large sheets without scoring.

Use a putty knife to carefully scrape away any stubborn pieces of wallpaper or remaining adhesive.

Tip: Keep the putty knife at a shallow angle to avoid scraping the wall surface.

Wipe down the walls with a clean, damp sponge and warm water to remove all residual glue.

Tip: Residual glue will prevent new paint or wallpaper from adhering properly.

Inspect the walls for any remaining debris and perform a final wipe-down before allowing the walls to dry completely.

Tip: Wait at least 24 hours for the walls to dry before applying any new finishes.

Check if your wallpaper is 'strippable' before applying liquids, as it may peel off dry.
Work in small sections of the wall to prevent the stripping solution from drying out before you can peel the paper.

Synthesized from 7 verified sources:

Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)View →

Gutenberg: Dwelling ConstructionView →

Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)View →

Gutenberg: Electricity for the 4-H ScientistView →

Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)View →

Gutenberg: Practical Hints to BuildersView →