The 7 Best Ways to Remove Wallpaper

Wallpaper can be extremely stubborn to remove, especially if it wasn’t hung properly. Completing the job effectively requires the right tools, techniques, and lots of patience. We’ve compiled the seven best ways to remove wallpaper so you can get the job done with as little time and frustration as possible.

1. Peel It Manually

Peel-and-stick wallpaper lasts less than a decade before it starts to peel on its own. You can easily remove this and some traditional wallpaper by peeling it by hand. Find a loose edge or corner, or use a stripping knife to loosen it yourself. Be careful not to dig the knife into the wall if you take this approach.

Once you’ve loosened the paper, peel slowly. You may get just the top layer, or you may pull off everything, including the paper backing. If some sections won’t come off, finish the job using a different method.

2. Use a Wallpaper Scoring Tool

Scoring wallpaper is a preparatory step that makes steaming or treating with a stripper more effective. It helps you get under the paper and saturate the adhesive backing, allowing the paper to be released more easily from the wall.

Apply light pressure as you run a wallpaper scoring tool over the wallpaper in a circular motion to create small holes in the top layer of the paper. Don’t use so much pressure that you poke holes into the drywall.

3. Use a Chemical Wallpaper Stripper

Wallpaper strippers are specialized products that you’ll find at your local home improvement store. They are available in handheld spray bottles, and you may need to purchase a large amount to cover all your wallpaper.

To use a stripper, spray it on a section of a scored wall and wait 15 minutes (or the time suggested on the product label). This allows the product time to activate the adhesive backing. Spray again, then scrape it off with a flat metal edge. If your wallpaper has multiple layers, you may have to use the solution multiple times.

4. Mix up a DIY Wallpaper Removal Solution

A less expensive alternative to chemical wallpaper stripper is a DIY solution made with equal parts hot water and fabric softener or vinegar. Once mixed, the application and scraping process works the same way as chemical strippers. However, DIY strippers tend to be less effective and may leave a lingering odor.

5. Use a Wallpaper Steamer

Wallpaper steamers are designed specifically for wallpaper removal. You fill the steamer with water and allow it to heat, then hold it on a section of the wall for about 10 seconds to warm up and loosen the adhesive. Scrape the wallpaper from that section, then repeat the process across the entire wall.

Wallpaper steamers cost $60 to $80 on average. You can also rent one from some major home improvement stores.

6. Put Up New Drywall

If your wallpaper is particularly stubborn, consider the time commitment and cost to tear down the existing wall and hang new drywall. This more expensive approach still requires considerable effort, but it allows you to start fresh with a new wall and add or relocate electrical outlets, network cables, and other components.

7. Hire a Wallpaper Removal Pro

Wallpaper removal can be frustrating, and DIY removal can take up a lot of your personal time. If you want to avoid the manual labor involved with peeling and scraping layers of paper and glue, hire a local wallpaper remover. Pros specializing in wallpaper removal have the experience to get the job done effectively in far less time than most homeowners.