How to Remove Wallpaper: 3 Methods That Actually Work

Removing old wallpaper is often the first step before installing new wallpaper or refreshing a room. It can feel daunting — especially if you have heard horror stories about endless scraping and damaged drywall — but with the right method for your specific wallpaper type, removal is straightforward. This guide covers three proven methods: steam removal, scoring with solvent, and dry stripping for peel-and-stick. We will help you identify which method suits your situation and walk you through each one step by step.

Before You Start: Identify Your Wallpaper Type

The removal method depends on what type of wallpaper is on your wall. To find out, try peeling up a corner from a seam or near the baseboard:

• If the entire strip peels away cleanly — You have strippable wallpaper. This is the easiest to remove and may only need the dry strip method.
• If the top layer peels off but a paper backing stays — You have peelable wallpaper. The backing will need steam or solvent to remove.
• If nothing budges — The wallpaper is fully adhered (likely vinyl-coated or traditional paste). You will need scoring plus steam or solvent.

Tools You Will Need

Gather these supplies before you begin, regardless of method:

• Drop cloths or plastic sheeting for the floor
• Painter's tape to cover outlets and switches
• Spray bottle or garden sprayer
• Broad putty knife or wallpaper scraper (4-6 inch)
• Scoring tool (for Method 2)
• Wallpaper steamer (for Method 1) — available for rent at most hardware stores
• Sponge and bucket of warm water
• Garbage bags
• Step ladder

Preparation (All Methods)

1. Clear the room. Move furniture to the center and cover it. Lay drop cloths along the baseboards — wallpaper removal creates a mess of wet paper and paste.
2. Turn off electricity to the room at the breaker. You will be using water near outlets and switches. Cover them with painter's tape as an extra precaution.
3. Remove switch plates and outlet covers. Set screws aside in a labeled bag.
4. Test in an inconspicuous area. Try your chosen method in a small area behind where furniture will go to see how the wall responds before committing to the entire room.

Method 1: Steam Removal

Best for: Vinyl-coated wallpaper, heavily adhered traditional wallpaper, multiple layers of old wallpaper.

Time estimate: 4-8 hours for an average 12x12-foot room.

How it works: The steamer heats water to produce steam that penetrates the wallpaper and dissolves the adhesive behind it. The paper softens and releases from the wall.

Step-by-Step

1. Fill the steamer with water and let it heat up (usually 10-15 minutes).
2. Start at the top of the wall. Hold the steamer plate against the wallpaper for 20-30 seconds until you see the paper start to darken and bubble slightly.
3. Set the steamer aside and immediately use a broad putty knife to gently lift and peel the softened paper. Work from the edges inward.
4. Steam the next section while you peel the current one. Develop a rhythm: steam, peel, steam, peel.
5. For stubborn areas, hold the steam longer (up to 60 seconds) before scraping. Do not hold it so long that you damage the drywall paper face beneath.
6. Once all wallpaper is removed, wash the wall with warm water and a sponge to remove remaining paste residue. Let the wall dry completely (24 hours minimum) before painting or applying new wallpaper.

Tips for Steam Removal

• Work in vertical strips roughly the width of the steamer plate. This keeps things orderly and prevents re-dried sections.
• Keep the steamer moving. Holding it in one spot too long can damage drywall. If you have plaster walls, they are much more forgiving.
• Wear long sleeves and heat-resistant gloves. Steam burns are no joke.

Method 2: Scoring + Solvent

Best for: Vinyl-coated wallpaper that resists water penetration, single layers on drywall, situations where you do not have access to a steamer.

Time estimate: 5-10 hours for an average room (includes soak time).

How it works: A scoring tool perforates the wallpaper surface with tiny holes, allowing a liquid wallpaper remover solution to penetrate to the adhesive layer. The solvent dissolves the paste and the paper peels away.

Step-by-Step

1. Run the scoring tool over the entire wallpapered surface in circular motions. Apply moderate pressure — enough to perforate the wallpaper but not so much that you gouge the drywall beneath. The perforations should be evenly distributed.
2. Mix wallpaper remover solution according to the manufacturer's instructions (or use a DIY solution of equal parts hot water and white vinegar with a tablespoon of dish soap).
3. Apply the solution generously with a spray bottle or garden sprayer. Soak the wallpaper thoroughly — you want the solution to seep through the score marks and reach the adhesive.
4. Wait 15-20 minutes. The wallpaper should start to bubble and loosen. If it does not, apply a second coat of solution and wait another 10 minutes.
5. Starting at a seam or corner, slide the putty knife under the wallpaper and peel it away. If it comes off in large sheets, you are in good shape. If it still resists, apply more solution and wait.
6. After removing all wallpaper, wash the wall with clean water to remove any remaining solvent and paste. Let it dry fully before any further treatment.

Tips for Scoring + Solvent

• Do not over-score. Excessive scoring damages the drywall paper face and will require skim coating before you can paint or re-wallpaper.
• Hot water works significantly better than cold. If using a spray bottle, refill with hot water frequently.
• Work in sections — spray one section, move to the next, then come back to scrape the first. This maximizes soak time.

Method 3: Dry Strip (Peel-and-Stick)

Best for: Peel-and-stick wallpaper, strippable wallpaper, and any wallpaper labeled "dry-strippable."

Time estimate: 1-3 hours for an average room.

How it works: The adhesive is designed to release cleanly when pulled. No water, no steam, no solvents needed.

Step-by-Step

1. Find a seam or corner and use a putty knife to lift the edge of the wallpaper.
2. Grip the lifted edge and pull slowly and steadily at a 45-degree angle away from the wall. Pulling too fast can tear the paper; pulling too slowly can leave more adhesive behind.
3. If adhesive residue remains on the wall, wipe it with a damp cloth or use a mild adhesive remover (Goo Gone works well).
4. Check the wall surface. Peel-and-stick wallpaper on properly primed walls usually leaves the surface in good condition for re-papering or painting.

Tips for Dry Stripping

• If the wallpaper has been up for a long time and the adhesive has hardened, a hair dryer on low heat can soften it enough to make peeling easier.
• In Calgary's dry climate, peel-and-stick adhesive can dry out faster than in humid environments. If strips resist peeling, apply gentle heat with a hair dryer before pulling.

After Removal: Preparing for New Wallpaper

Once the old wallpaper is off, inspect the wall carefully:

• Fill any gouges or holes with lightweight spackle. Let it dry and sand smooth.
• Sand rough areas where drywall paper was damaged during removal.
• Prime the wall with a wallpaper-specific primer (such as Zinsser Gardz) that seals the surface and provides a smooth base for new wallpaper adhesive.
• Let everything dry completely — at least 24 hours — before applying new wallpaper.

Ready for fresh wallpaper? Use our wallpaper calculator to figure out how many rolls you need for the newly prepped wall.