How to Remove Wallpaper Like a Pro Without Losing Your Mind

So you’ve finally decided to banish that floral wallpaper your grandmother loved, or perhaps you’re staring down a textured vinyl disaster that’s been peeling in the corner for years. Good for you. Taking down wallpaper feels like a rite of passage for any homeowner, and the good news is you absolutely can do it yourself. The bad news? If you attack it the wrong way, you might end up patching drywall holes and questioning your life choices. Let’s walk through the smart way to strip wallpaper, using tools you probably already own or can grab cheaply at the hardware store.

First things first: figure out what kind of wallpaper you’re dealing with. Peelable wallpaper has a vinyl top layer that comes off dry, leaving a paper backing that still needs to be removed. Strippable wallpaper is the dream—it peels off in one piece with a gentle tug, leaving mostly clean drywall underneath. Regular wallpaper (the old-school kind) will laugh at your dry pull and crumble into stubborn little shards. To test, just lift a corner with a putty knife. If it comes off easily, you’re lucky. If not, you’ll need moisture.

The most common mistake homeowners make is soaking the wall too much. Yes, water is your friend, but flooding the wall can ruin the drywall paper and create a mess you’ll have to skim-coat later. Instead, use a wallpaper scorer first. This little tool looks like a pizza cutter with spikes. Roll it gently over the wallpaper in a crosshatch pattern—just enough to poke tiny holes so water or remover can get behind the paper. Don’t press too hard or you’ll gouge the wall. Think of it as giving the wallpaper a gentle acupuncture treatment.

Now for the liquid. You can buy commercial wallpaper remover, but a simple mix of warm water and a few drops of dish soap or fabric softener works wonders. The soap breaks the surface tension so the water really soaks in. Apply it with a sponge or a spray bottle, working in small sections—say, a two-foot by two-foot area. Let it sit for about ten to fifteen minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the wallpaper looks like it’s about to wrinkle or bubble. Then take a wide putty knife or a wallpaper scraper (the ones with the curved edge are best) and start gently sliding under the paper from a seam or corner. Work at a low angle to avoid gouging the drywall. If it fights back, reapply your solution and wait a little longer.

For particularly stubborn wallpaper, a steamer is worth the rental fee. Wallpaper steamers produce a gentle, steady cloud of hot steam that loosens the adhesive fast. Hold the steamer plate against the paper for about thirty seconds, then scrape. Keep the steamer moving so you don’t overheat any one spot. And please, protect your hands—the steam is hot and the scraper can slip. Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses. You’ll look like a mad scientist, but your walls will thank you.

After you’ve scraped off all the paper, you’ll probably still have a sticky film of adhesive residue or small bits of backing left behind. Don’t skip this step. Rinse the entire wall thoroughly with warm water and a clean sponge, changing the water frequently. This glue residue will ruin your new paint or primer if you leave it. Let the wall dry completely overnight, then inspect it for any remaining paper bits. A light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper will smooth out any rough spots.

One last tip: if you find that your drywall paper got damaged in a few spots, don’t panic. Apply a coat of drywall primer or a product specifically designed for sealing torn drywall paper before you mud and sand. Otherwise, the moisture from your joint compound will bubble up the paper and make the problem worse.

Removing wallpaper isn’t glamorous, but it’s incredibly satisfying once you’re done. Your walls will feel fresh and clean, ready for whatever comes next—paint, new wallpaper, or maybe just a big sigh of relief. Take it slow, keep your tools handy, and remember: every square inch you clear is one step closer to a room that truly feels like yours.