Are you thinking of putting up new trendy wallpaper? Or do you want to get rid of wallpapers entirely and just paint your walls? You’d want to strip your wall of your old wallpaper and this can look like a herculean task from the start.

So, how do you peel off wallpapers with ease? What tools do you need? Can it be done in just an hour? Should you get a wallpaper removal service instead?

We’ll answer these questions for you in this article. Let’s start your journey with 5 easy ways to remove wallpapers in your home.

6 Ways to Handle Wallpaper Removal at Home

Whether placed on drywall (AKA plasterboard) or in vinyl material, removing wallpaper from a wall requires certain tools, and several removal techniques are possible. Here are some effective and guaranteed 100% natural tips for removing wallpaper.

But first, you will need to arm yourself with patience, have the right equipment, and above all, the right technique. To remove wallpaper, you will need:

• With a rather wide and flat spatula
• Garbage bags to dispose of waste as you go
• A basin
• A large sponge or a spray bottle

1. Hot water and detergent

The oldest method, but also the least expensive, consists of preparing a mixture of hot water and lye in a basin.

Moisten the walls with a sponge or with a spray bottle. Once the wallpaper is well soaked (about 2 minutes), peel it off from bottom to top with a spatula.

This technique will work if you only have one layer of wallpaper to remove.

Note that you can use dishwashing liquid instead of lye.

2. Water and vinegar

Another method is to peel off wallpaper with vinegar. This is an environmentally friendly option.

Mix one part of white vinegar with two parts of water in a basin. You can also add a tablespoon of baking soda. Use the sponge or spray bottle to soak the walls.

Wait at least 5 minutes. Then, remove the wallpaper by scraping it with a spatula.

3. Choose a special wallpaper remover

What product should you use to remove wallpaper? Some powder, gel, or liquid chemical products are available in most DIY/hardware stores to take off wallpaper. These products dissolve the glue when mixed with lukewarm water. You will need to leave the product to act for approximately 45 minutes before removing the wallpaper.

4. A steam stripper for removing thick wallpaper

To remove thick wallpaper, the best technique is to use a steam stripper. It is a more expensive option, but faster and more efficient. It is also recommended for large wall surfaces.

You can buy a wallpaper stripper at Home Depot or rent it from a specialized store. For a small area, you can also peel off the wallpaper with an iron. Give a blow of steam on the part to take off.

5. Scratch hard-to-remove waterproof wallpapers

Vinyl and washable wallpapers are often put up in damp rooms, like the bathroom, for their waterproofing benefit. But are much tougher to remove. In this case, you will have to cut the corner of the strip with a cutter and pull it from bottom to top to take it off. You can also scratch it with a wire brush to remove it more easily.

6. No stripper? Try iron

This is less expensive than the stripper option. But it may not be as effective on large surface areas.

Peeling off wallpaper with an iron works on the same principle as a stripper: it’s the steam from the iron that will help take off the wallpaper.

Set the iron to the mode that releases the most steam: “linen”, for example.

Bring the iron closer to the wall, without sticking it, and press the steam button several times to moisten the wall well. When the paper curls, remove it with a spatula. This trick is practical for small areas to renovate. 

NOTE: Before installing new wallpaper, you will need to remove any glue and paper residue from your walls, before wallpapering. Wash, sand, and dust with a damp cloth.

How Can You Remove Wallpaper from Drywall Without Ruining the Wall?

Sometimes an old wallpaper is placed directly on the drywall. When you take it off, you run the risk of removing part of the plasterboard, unfortunately, it’s quite inevitable.

You will then have to coat the walls to correct the “holes” created by the removal of the wallpaper, before painting, or laying down a new paper. Another solution is to lay a glass cloth that will camouflage the irregularities of the wall and that you can paint afterward.

Renovation liners are also very useful in this case. Finally, the last solution: simply repaint your wallpaper instead of peeling it off.

Do This Before Applying New Wallpaper

Once you have peeled off your old wallpaper, before putting up a new one, you must first prepare the wall. Indeed, on new walls, the plaster or concrete must be completely dry.

Regarding new plaster, it is advisable to first apply a priming paper. For old plaster, make sure all the holes are well filled with filler. When the walls are already covered with paper and the paper is in good condition, you can put the new wallpaper over it, otherwise, you have to remove it.

Finally, if your walls are already painted, wash them, rinse well and wait for the wall to be dry before starting the installation. 

How Much Should You Pay to Get Wallpaper Removal Service

We understand that this might be a task you simply do not have the time to do. You can hire your house painter to help you take it off. And when it comes to paying them, how do you know what price is fair?

The first thing you should know about the pricing of wallpaper removal services is that it differs according to the type of wallpaper, the surface area of the wall, and how long it takes to get it done.

The longer the time it takes to take off, the higher the price. This rate is calculated by multiplying the number of hours of labor provided by the hourly rate of the craftsperson.

The type of paper or tapestry and the nature of the wall on which this coating rests must be identified to calculate the number of hours required and the appropriate tools. In most cases, the walls are drywall or plasterboard.

The wallpaper remover can check this by touching the wall. Plaster is harder, colder, and smoother than drywall. In addition, drywall sounds hollow when you knock on it, unlike plasterboard that remains very sensitive to humidity. Extra precautions should therefore be taken.

Call a Professional Wallpaper Removal Service Provider to Help

If you want to hire someone to help with your wallpaper removal, we’re in the best position to help. Contact CHPainters. We provide interior painting services and part of the tasks we carried out in our many years of experience includes removing wallpapers. We’ve done this for various types on different walls and helped restore the beauty of home interiors. We’ll be thrilled to assist you with yours.