Ideas or hints to remove wallpaper??

Robin Hotham
by Robin Hotham
I recently purchased a house that has wallpaper in every room!!! It looks like a better quality of wallpaper but, any ideas on how to remove it quickly without going crazy??????


  9 answers
  • Cynthia Cynthia on Jan 11, 2018

    no way without going crazy. Rent a steamer from a big box store- in the long run its worth the cost

  • Amanda Amanda on Jan 11, 2018

    Hi Robin. I use a wall paper scorer and diff. You score the paper then spray with diff and peal or scrap off. Work in small sections so the diff doesn't dry. It is so much work but the end result is great.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 11, 2018

    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/walls/best-way-to-remove-wallpaper-3370217

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jan 11, 2018

    I have used the hand held ones that you use on clothes and it works well too, but much cheaper to buy and reuse on clothes and when you tackle another room. If the surface of the paper is shiny or appears to have a vinyl coating, remove that by pulling it off before using the steamer as it won't work with that layer on using steam.

  • Joan Joan on Jan 11, 2018

    I did three rooms of wallpaper using this method: Hot water and a spray bottle. No steamer. No scorer. The handheld steamer did nothing. The scorer created a mess and more work.


    Spray 3 panels of paper with hot water. Wait 30 minutes. Repeat this two more times. Spray one more time then from the BOTTOM UP SLOWLY start tearing the paper up in small jerks. If the paper starts tearing, scrape the tears with your fingernails and continue tearing up in small jerks. Continue on the same way removing the rest of the room.


    After the paper is down, your wallpaper glue will still be on the walls. Take a broom dipped in hot water and wet the walls. Break up the glue using the broom. (The broom will be shot when you're done so use an old one.) Then wash the walls down with a soft rag in hot water.


    Let me know how it turns out!

  • Rachel McHugh Rachel McHugh on Jan 11, 2018

    Exactally as Joan said, just wanna add 2 things, wallpaper usually comes off in 2 peices, the top layer (where the print is) and the backing (where the glue is). If it does come off in separate peices (95% of the time). repeat steps Joan provided except you don't have to wait as long for it to soak. Secondly, I usually add a little dish soap or liquid fabric softener to my spray bottle (I use pump sprayer for weeds). Good luck and try not to driver your self batty. On yeah, if it not coming off....... Wet it again!

  • Dori Dori on Jan 11, 2018

    I've used vinegar with warm water, not hot or too cool. In a spray bottle or bucket . The vinegar helps cut the glue from the wall. A paint scraper helps remove the paper & glue. If you leave the water & vinegar on for a few minutes it'll help for the glue to loosen at the same time and come off with the paper . It's always worked for me. After its all off I wash the wall with vinegar and water to remove any excess.

  • Robin Hotham Robin Hotham on Jan 11, 2018

    Thanks Everyone for your suggestions!! I will be trying all of them I am sure!! I will let you know how it turns out if I am not in the crazy house of horrors when I am done!!

  • Robin Hotham Robin Hotham on Jan 11, 2018

    Absolutely I will give it a try. My husband will be glad to hear it. It uses vinegar in everything!! Thanks!