The easiest way to remove old wallpaper - Expert tips step by step

2.6.2022

wallpaper

questions and answers

Wallpaper removal is a laborious and patience-testing job, but often necessary and unavoidable. Sometimes you can wallpaper over an old wallpaper, but it requires it to be in good condition, completely smooth, and well adhered to the wall. However, if the old wallpaper is loose, bubbly, damaged, water-damaged, damp, or moldy, you must remove the old wallpaper or old wallpaper layers before you start wallpapering your new ones.

What type of wallpaper are you removing?

The methods are many and depend on the wallpaper to be removed.

Single layer wallpaper. Wet the wallpaper with water or water mixed with wallpaper paste or dish soap.
Vinyl surface/painted wallpaper. Water cannot penetrate through the surface directly. You need a wallpaper scorer/perforator to make holes in the wallpaper and get liquid behind it. Some wallpapers have two layers, such as vinyl wallpapers. In this case, it's important to remove the top layer, while the bottom layer can sometimes serve as a base for new wallpaper if it is undamaged and firmly attached.
Glued wallpaper or fiberglass texture wallpaper. Nearly impossible to remove. It is almost better to only remove any loose pieces and then wallpaper over with a leveling wallpaper or spackle the entire wall.

How should you prepare for wallpaper removal?

The better you prepare, the easier the actual work will proceed.

Move furniture out of the room or to the middle. Cover with plastic. Take down pictures and lamps from the wall/walls.
Protect the floor with plastic, it will likely be a wet and messy job.
Turn off the electricity in the room. Remove light switches and outlets to remove old wallpaper under them. Then tape up the outlets so water doesn't get in.
Charge your patience and fill your stomach. Removing wallpaper doesn't happen in a snap. It may not come off easily and can require several different actions. You also need to give the wallpaper time to soak thoroughly.

What are the different methods for removing wallpaper?

There are many different ways to remove wallpaper, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Scraping. Remove everything that comes off, starting from a seam or where the wallpaper has already come loose. Use a wide putty knife or another scraper to get the largest pieces possible and slide it under the wallpaper.
Advantage: Only one tool needed.
Disadvantage: Time-consuming, you'll likely only get small pieces at a time. Risk of damaging the underlying surface.
Water. Wet the wallpaper with hot water (as hot as you can tolerate) using a spray bottle, brush, roller or sponge. If the old wallpaper absorbs the liquid, that's good, let it soak in thoroughly. You can cover the wall with plastic wrap to prevent the moisture from evaporating too quickly and take a break while the wall absorbs the moisture. Then you can carefully scrape off the remaining pieces. If it doesn't absorb the water, you must first perforate the wallpaper with a perforator/wallpaper scorer. Do one part of the room at a time so they don't dry out in between.
Advantage: Environmentally friendly.
Disadvantage: Messy.
Dish soap. Contains surfactants that act as solvents. Mix dish soap with hot water and spray with a spray bottle, sponge or brush. It can be worth perforating the wallpaper first so it absorbs better. Pull off the wallpaper and scrape with a putty knife. Repeat until the wallpapers are gone.
Advantage: You have all the materials at home. Dish soap is not harmful to the skin.
Disadvantage: Time-consuming, since dish soap is weak, the procedure needs to be repeated.
Vinegar. Dilute the vinegar, 1 part vinegar to 4 parts hot water. Same function as dish soap.
Advantage: You have all the materials at home. Environmentally friendly.
Disadvantage: Time-consuming, the procedure must be repeated.
Dish soap + baking powder + vinegar. Can be used to remove glue residues from the wall. Add a tablespoon of baking powder to a bucket of hot water and dish soap. If this doesn't work, you can add vinegar, 2 dl/4 l water. Rub the mixture with a damp sponge and wipe off the loosened old glue with a cloth or scrape with a putty knife. Use rubber gloves.
Advantage: Environmentally friendly.
Disadvantage: May need to be repeated several times.
Wallpaper paste. Believe it or not, but old wallpaper residues can be removed with wallpaper paste. Dilute the wallpaper paste with water (1-2 dl paste to 3 l water) and apply/spray it on the wall. The mixture should be thin enough to be sprayed on the wall. Let the wall absorb it and repeat until bubbles form on the wall. Scrape it off.
Advantage: You need wallpaper paste anyway for the new wallpaper, or maybe you have some old stock at home?
Disadvantage: Contains chemicals?
Wallpaper steamer. A wallpaper steamer specifically for removing wallpaper makes the job more fun. The wallpaper steamer has a wide nozzle that is held against the wallpaper. It works with hot steam to soften the wallpaper and dissolve the old paste - then you just peel off the wallpaper.
Advantage: Quick and efficient, no chemicals. Easy to use also in hard-to-reach places like corners, slanted ceilings, and ceilings. A good choice if you need to remove wallpaper in many rooms.
Disadvantage: You need to buy a machine that you may not use again.
Liquid wallpaper remover/wallpaper removal agent. Different removal agents work as solvents and dissolve the paste that holds the wallpaper up. Use gloves when you spray, brush, or use a sponge to spread the remover on the wall. Wait a quarter of an hour and peel off the wallpaper using a scraper or a spatula.
Advantage: Usually works well on old wallpaper layers that are stuck hard. Easier to remove softened wallpaper.
Disadvantage: Contains chemicals, so good ventilation or a mask is required.

When can I start wallpapering?

When you have removed the old wallpaper from the wall, there are still a few things you need to think about and do before you start putting up your new wallpaper.

If you haven't managed to get a completely smooth surface when the wallpaper has been removed, unevenness should be sanded down with sandpaper, and any damages can be smoothed with spackle. Be thorough.
When all wallpaper residues are gone, the wall should be washed clean with warm water. Wipe off as much water as possible with a soft towel.
If the wall has absorbed water during the wallpaper removal and wall washing, it must dry thoroughly for a few days before new wallpaper is put up.

Now you can choose wallpaper and freshen up your home with new wallpaper! Good luck!