How To Remove Wallpaper Without Using Chemicals

Whether you want to learn how to remove wallpaper from an entire house, or just get rid of a small wallpaper border; follow this easy step-by-step tutorial for the easiest way to remove wallpaper!

Step 1: Prepare

The first step in the DIY wallpaper removal process is to properly prepare the room for the project. Remove all electrical outlet and light switch covers, artwork, hanging hardware, and cover any outlets and switches with painter’s tape to protect them from moisture or damage during the DIY wallpaper removal process. Stage a garbage bag for collecting the removed paper. 

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Try to peel away the wallpaper from a seam in a downward motion and continue to peel any wallpaper that easily releases from the wall. Peel as much of the top layer as possible. After making the determination that all of the wallpaper will not entirely release and peel away from the wall without damaging it, prepare to use steam; the easiest way to remove wallpaper without exposure to harsh chemicals. In order to ensure that the steaming method will lead to easy wallpaper removal, first prepare the wall by scoring holes through the layers of paper described below.

Step 2: Score the Remaining Wallpaper

Scoring the wall is a very important step in the preparation for steaming that will ensure easy wallpaper removal! Using a wallpaper-perforating tool, score any remaining wallpaper in circular motions to ensure that the steam used in the next step will reach all of the paper underneath. The scoring process creates small holes in the wallpaper and allows the steam to penetrate through the layers of paper to loosen the glue; making the wallpaper easier to peel or scrape away. Be careful not to score too deeply into the wall or to create holes that will require patching. 

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A steamer is truly the best wallpaper removal tool to loosen wallpaper adhesive and steaming results in wallpaper that is easier to peel and scrape away without damaging the walls. The heat and moisture from the steamer combine to lift wallpaper away from the wall and provide an extremely effective wallpaper paste remover after the paper are gone but residue remains.

Step 3: Steam

Place a drop cloth on the floor below the area being steamed to protect the floor and baseboards from water drips as well as the still sticky removed paper. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your skin from the heat and hot water!

Hold steamer flat against the wallpaper just long enough to penetrate the paper and glue underneath. Try holding the steamer on the wallpaper for about 20 seconds initially and increase the time if removing the paper is still too difficult. Use caution to make sure that too much moisture doesn’t penetrate into the wall and lead to damage. Steam one section at a time and peel or scrape each section as you steam it. 

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A scraper or plastic putty knife is the best wallpaper removal tool to lift and peel the wallpaper away from the wall without gouging deep under the surface of the wall.

Step 4: Scrape

After steaming, large sections of the wallpaper should peel away much easier than if any other methods were used. Begin at a perforation or seam and gently push scraper forward along the wall—rather than into the wall—being cautious not to cause damage to the wall that will require major repair or patching. Gloves may still be necessary during this stage of the project if you’re scraping and peeling as you steam, due to the steamer heating the wallpaper adhesive!

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Depending on the number of layers of wallpaper or how stubborn the adhesive, some walls may still be covered in glue or wallpaper backing after all of the paper is gone. Before moving forward with a fresh coat of paint or new wall treatment, all remaining residue needs to be fully cleaned from the wall.

Not sure how to remove wallpaper glue or stubborn wallpaper backing that refuses to lift from the walls after the steaming process—without using harsh chemicals? A 50/50 mixture of hot water and vinegar and if necessary, an added tablespoon of blue Dawn liquid dish soap, offer a non-toxic alternative to help lift any remaining wallpaper residue.

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If the wall resembles the photo above even after steaming and scraping; with layers of backing still clinging to the wall, try the following wallpaper removal step to help clean the stubborn layer!

Removing Wallpaper with Vinegar

Step 5: Clean

Fill a spray bottle with an equal parts mixture of hot water and vinegar and spray any areas of the wall that have remaining glue residue or thick backing that cannot be scraped or steamed free from the wall. Let the solution sit on the wall for 20 minutes and gently scrape away residue. Repeat this process as needed until the residue is completely cleaned from the walls or if necessary, consider trying the vinegar and blue dawn mixture below; keeping in mind that the solution will have to be more thoroughly rinsed than a simple vinegar and water solution.

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Removing Wallpaper With Vinegar and Blue Dawn

Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and 2-3 tablespoons of blue Dawn liquid dish soap. Spray the areas with difficult to remove paper or backing. Apply enough of the mixture to penetrate all layers and let the solution sit on the wall for at least 20 minutes. Gently scrape and lift away any remaining wallpaper with a plastic putty knife or scraper and repeat as many times as necessary to free the wall of any remaining trace of wallpaper or glue. Thoroughly rinse the soap solution from the walls with a sponge and clean water.

DIY wallpaper removal is a project worth tackling to improve the look and style of any room in your home but doesn’t have to be a frustrating undertaking that requires using strong chemicals. Whether trying to learn how to remove a wallpaper border or how to remove wallpaper from every room in a house, follow the simple steps outlined here to ensure a safe, easy, and effective DIY wallpaper removal project. The combination of steam and vinegar is the easiest way to remove wallpaper and offers a non-toxic alternative to chemical strippers often used for similar projects. Steam is quick, very effective, and not only is vinegar easy to clean up; it is inexpensive. Your walls and your budget will thank you!

If you’re searching for the best way to remove wallpaper without using harsh chemicals to do it; these five steps—prepare, score, steam, scrape, clean—will be sure to make any DIY wallpaper removal project a success!

Have you successfully removed a stubborn wallpaper without using chemicals and have photos or tips to share with others? Share your ideas and inspiration with others or find your next DIY project on Hometalk!

Written for the Hometalk community by: Kate Griffin | Eating in the Shower Blog