How to Remove Wallpaper the Easiest Way

Wallpaper paste can be difficult to remove.

When you’re ready for a fresh look in your home, new wallpaper might do the trick. If there’s already paper on the wall, take it down first. How you remove your paper – and how easily it comes off – depends on the type of paper on the wall. If your wallpaper is a “strippable” variety, or is not vinyl coated, the job can be easy. Lift a corner of strippable paper and pull it off in sheets. For other types of paper, there’s a little work involved.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Vinegar
• Water
• Wallpaper remover
• Spray bottle
• Scraper

1. Spray walls covered with permeable wallpaper -- wallpaper that is not vinyl coated -- with a solution of one part vinegar to two parts water. Enzyme-based wallpaper removers can also be used.

2. Allow the mixture or remover to saturate the walls for about one minute. Don't allow the remover to dry on the wallpaper.

3. Try to remove wallpaper by pulling up a strip from the seam. Pull slowly and steadily from the top, keeping the pieces of wallpaper as large as you can.

4. Score vinyl coated wallpapers so the remover can penetrate. Roll the scoring tool over the wallpaper with light, even pressure to prick tiny holes in the paper. Press just hard enough to puncture the wallpaper, but not hard enough to damage the walls. Spray the wallpaper with remover and wait for it to loosen the glue. Pull the wallpaper up at the seam and tear away from wall.

5. Use a scraper to remove the rest of the wallpaper

Tips & Warnings

• Do not press to hard with the scraper to avoid damaging the wall.

References

• This Old House; How to Strip Wallpaper; Rich O'Neil
• Good Housekeeping; How to Strip Wallpaper; Heloise