Take the Hassle out of Removing Wallpaper

Hanging bright new wallpaper is an inexpensive and effective redecorating technique that can give furniture and draperies a rich or cozy new look.

But the old paper is the obstacle. It’s almost always best to remove the old rather than to paper over it. Unless your old paper is strippable, with backing that’s designed to be removed easily, you have some work to do. To find out if your old paper is strippable, put a putty knife under the corner of an edge and push gently. If it comes up easily, just keep going a panel at a time.

If it doesn’t, these steps take the hassle out of removing it. First, prepare the room. Mask your baseboards and windows with tape and cover the floor and furniture with drop cloths. You’ll need rubber gloves to protect your hands, a garbage can or bag to collect the paper, a broad-blade putty knife, wallpaper remover, a bucket or paint tray, a large sponge or thick-napped paint roller, a squeegee and a scrub brush.

You can buy a wallpaper remover solution, or mix your own: two-thirds very hot water and one-third liquid fabric softener in a bucket or paint tray. This homemade stripper works well on old wallpaper that’s particularly stubborn. Apply several coats to one strip of your wallpaper with the paint roller or the sponge. Let it soak for 25 or 30 minutes. Then scrape off the paper with the putty knife.

If you use commercial wallpaper remover, follow the instructions on the label to mix and apply. Don’t try to force the shreds of paper that stick. You could gouge the wall. Apply more stripper and soak it again.

To speed up this process, an alternative is to rent a wallpaper steamer, available at most general rental centers. This machine has a steam tank and a plate that emits vapor as you hold it to the wall, which usually loosens even the stickiest paper in about two or three minutes. Especially for big projects, the steamer saves you time and work.

Use the squeegee to remove wet paste that’s left when the paper comes off, or scrub the wall with the brush and leftover remover. Then thoroughly rinse the wall with clean water and let it dry. Now you’re ready to put on that bright new paper.