How to remove wallpaper (including old stubborn paper)
Try dry stripping first: lift a corner and peel – non-woven papers usually come off in whole drops. For traditional papers, score lightly, soak with warm water (with a little washing-up liquid or a stripping solution), wait, then scrape gently; use a steamer for stubborn or painted-over layers.
You will need
- Wide scraper
- Scoring tool
- Sponge and bucket
- Wallpaper steamer (optional)
- Dust sheets
- Filler and sanding block
Step by step
- Prepare the room Clear furniture, cover the floor, isolate electrics and remove faceplates.
- Test a corner Lift a corner with a scraper. If it peels in one piece, dry strip the whole wall.
- Score and soak For traditional papers, score lightly and soak with warm water or a stripping solution.
- Scrape Wait 10–15 minutes and scrape at a low angle to avoid gouging plaster.
- Steam if needed Hold a steam plate on stubborn areas briefly, then scrape.
- Wash and repair Wash off old paste residue, fill and sand, then let the wall dry fully.
Safety
Turn off electricity to sockets and switches before removing faceplates, protect floors, and take care with steamers – hot water and steam can scald. If walls might contain old lead paint, take advice before sanding.
Designs to try
Stafford Diamond Wallpaper
Kerrigan Garden Birds Wallpaper
Rossiter Scattered Leaf Wallpaper
Edmund Bamboo Trellis Wallpaper
Cambrey Rainforest Wallpaper
Trerice Willow Court Wallpaper
Magnolia Leaf Sprig Wallpaper
Hammond Atomic Star Wallpaper
Questions & answers
Is non-woven wallpaper easy to remove?
Yes. Non-woven papers are designed to be dry-strippable: they peel away in full lengths, usually leaving the wall ready to redecorate.
Can I paper over old wallpaper?
It is not recommended. New paste can lift the old layer and seams can show through. Strip back to a sound surface first.
Do I need a steamer?
Only for stubborn, multiple or painted-over layers. Many papers come away with water and a scraper.