Prep & Removal
How to Remove Wallpaper: A Step-by-Step Guide
Stripping old wallpaper properly is the single biggest factor in how well a re-paper or repaint job turns out — paper over old paper, or paint over a poorly stripped wall, and the seams, bubbles, and old adhesive show through eventually. It's also more predictable than most people expect once you know which method suits your paper and your walls. Here's a step-by-step approach that works whether you're dealing with a single feature wall or a full room.
Open the Wallpaper PlannerIdentify the paper type before you start
Standard paper-backed wallpaper soaks and strips relatively easily. Vinyl or vinyl-coated wallpaper has a waterproof top layer that stops water reaching the backing paper, so it needs scoring first — a scoring tool or light sanding to perforate the surface — before any water-based stripping method will work. Trying to soak an un-scored vinyl paper wastes hours; check which type you have with a test patch in a corner before committing to a method.
Score, soak, and scrape is the reliable default method
For most papers: score the surface (skip this step for plain paper-backed wallpaper), then apply warm water with a little washing-up liquid or a wallpaper stripping solution using a sponge or garden sprayer, and let it soak for 10–15 minutes. Use a stripping knife or a wide scraper to lift the paper from a bottom corner, working upward in broad sections rather than small scrapes. Re-wet stubborn sections and give them more time rather than forcing a scrape that gouges the plaster underneath.
A steam stripper earns its cost on a full room or stubborn paper
For a full room, multiple layers of old paper, or paper that isn't responding to soaking, a steam wallpaper stripper (hired or bought) speeds the job up significantly. Hold the steam plate against a section for 10–20 seconds, then scrape while it's still hot and pliable, moving to the next section. It's genuinely faster on a large area but adds a cost and a learning curve on a single small wall.
Protect the wall surface — plaster damage costs more than the wallpaper did
Aggressive scraping, especially on plasterboard, gouges the paper surface of the board itself, creating a rough patch that needs skimming or filling before any new paper or paint goes on. Work with patience on stubborn sections — more soaking time, not more scraping force — and expect to do minor filling and sanding afterward on most walls regardless of technique.
Clean and prime the bare wall before you hang anything new
Once the paper is off, wash the wall down to remove old adhesive residue — leftover paste can prevent new wallpaper from bonding properly. Let the wall dry fully, fill any gouges or holes, sand them smooth, and apply a wallpaper size or diluted PVA primer before hanging new paper. Papering straight onto a bare, unprimed, freshly stripped wall is one of the most common causes of a new job failing early.
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See plans & pricingCommon questions
What is the easiest way to remove wallpaper?
Score the surface if it's vinyl or vinyl-coated, soak it with warm water and washing-up liquid (or a stripping solution) for 10–15 minutes, then scrape from a bottom corner upward in broad sections. This score-soak-scrape method works on most walls without special equipment. A steam stripper speeds up a full room or stubborn multi-layer paper.
Do you have to remove old wallpaper before hanging new wallpaper?
Yes, in almost all cases. Papering over existing wallpaper risks the old seams, bubbles, or pattern showing through, and the old paper's own bond to the wall may fail under the added weight and moisture from new paste. The one exception is a sound, single layer of lining paper specifically intended as a base — old decorative wallpaper should always come off first.
How long does it take to remove wallpaper?
For a single room (around 30–40 m² of wall), expect 3–6 hours of soaking-and-scraping for straightforward paper-backed wallpaper, or 2–4 hours with a steam stripper on a stubborn multi-layer job. Vinyl papers that need scoring first add extra time. Budget more time than feels necessary — rushing the scrape is what damages the wall underneath.
More wallpaper guides
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