Many people find removing old wallpaper a daunting task: a time consuming, messy, fiddly job that seems to take longer than actually hanging the new wallpaper. Removing the old wallpaper efficiently before hanging the new is essential to obtain a professional, flaw free finish. Try and rush it, and you may cause damage to the wall surface which could show through the new wall paper - spoiling the finished job.
Knowing the best way to remove old wall paper without taking off half the plaster or damaging surrounding paintwork is important and could save you loads of time and money. Like many jobs around the home, there’s an easy way, and there are other ways. Here we’ll run through the steps to follow, in order to get the old wallpaper off quickly with the minimum of fuss, and very little in the way of tools.
The first thing to consider before making any kind of start is the condition of the walls you are going to strip. With older properties you may have loose plaster, where too much scrapping may loosen and mark the background surface. In such circumstances it may be better to use a steam wall paper stripper. Steam strippers lift the old paper by heated steam, rendering the paper removable in larger strip - it almost falls off.
Heavy handed tactics on older walls may result in the need for filling and rubbing down to get a smooth, flat surface. In the worst case, re-plastering may be advised. Here we take a look at the easiest and quickest way to remove old wallpaper without a steam stripper.
Tools you will need:
- Bucket - to hold the warm water.
- Sponge, large brush, or even a wet old cloth.
- Scraper- long handled is better for reach.
- Dust-sheets - to catch the paper pieces and water drips/runs.
- Bin bags for collecting the mess.
How to remove wallpapers cleanly and easily
Some wall papers are layered, such as vinyl coated papers, in which case you need to remove more than one layer, but the process is the same. Follow these steps to get the old paper off, and give yourself more time for the important bit – hanging the new wall paper and transforming your room.
- Firstly, where there is one, you need to remove the top layer of the wallpaper. With many modern papers this is done simply as they are often peel off. Begin by lifting a corner edge of the paper with your scraper and remove the top layer, peeling away hopefully in large, near-full strips. This will reveal the backing paper.
- If the paper isn’t coming off, lightly score the paper it with the edge of the scraper. This will allow the water to penetrate more easily (Read the next step). Avoid using too much pressure as you just want to break through the first layer only.
- Carefully apply warm water with a brush, swab, or sponge about three or four times to small areas. When the paper is thoroughly soaked, almost ready to fall off, with minimum help, carefully scrape the paper off. Allow each water application a few minutes to soak.
- Be careful not to scratch the wall or take lumps out of it with the scraper, the water softens wall surfaces so use little pressure when scraping – you don’t need it and it’ll only mean you have to start filling and rubbing to get the wall perfectly smooth for the new wall paper.
That should be about it – clean, flat walls; perfectly prepared and ready for your new wallpaper. If you haven’t yet chosen your new wallpaper, take a look at the Fashion Wallpaper range. The range encompasses some of the world’s most prestigious brands, including Harlequin and Sanderson.
If you are struggling to choose via brand, you can also search for the perfect paper via colour, patterns and room.
