QUICK SUMMARY: The easiest wallpaper-removal method depends on the type of wallpaper and adhesive. Strippable or peelable wallpaper may come off in larger sheets, while older or more stubborn wallpaper may need scoring, soaking, and careful scraping. Removal time can vary substantially depending on the wallpaper type, number of layers, adhesive, wall condition, and how much repair is needed afterward.
Pulling wallpaper off the wall sounds simple until part of the room comes off easily and another section starts fighting you strip by strip.
There’s a reason for that.
Wallpaper type, adhesive, wall material, age, and previous repairs can all change how easily the paper releases.
This guide walks through a practical wallpaper-removal process, from testing a corner to dealing with remaining adhesive and preparing the wall for what comes next.
Table of Contents
What Is the Easiest Way to Remove Old Wallpaper?
Start by testing the wallpaper before assuming it needs a full score-soak-scrape process.
Some peelable or strippable wallpapers are designed to release in larger sheets. If the paper lifts cleanly from a corner, you may be able to remove much of it without heavy soaking.
More resistant wallpaper may need moisture or wallpaper-removal solution to reach and soften the adhesive.
Scoring can be useful when the surface resists penetration, such as some vinyl-coated, painted-over, or stubborn wallpapers. The goal is to create small openings that allow the removal solution to reach the adhesive underneath.
Avoid over-scoring, particularly on drywall, because aggressive scoring can damage the paper facing beneath the wallpaper.
Step-by-Step: How to Remove Wallpaper
Step 1: Protect the Room
Wallpaper removal can involve water, adhesive residue, scraps, and scraping.
Protect floors and nearby surfaces before starting.
Remove switch and outlet covers where appropriate, and take sensible precautions around electrical outlets before applying liquid near them.
If you are unsure how to work safely around electrical components, avoid introducing moisture near them until the area has been made safe.
Step 2: Test a Corner
Start at a seam or loose corner.
Gently pull the wallpaper back at a low angle.
If it releases easily in larger sheets, continue peeling slowly.
If the decorative layer comes off but leaves a paper backing attached to the wall, that backing may need to be soaked separately.
If the wallpaper tears immediately or resists removal, move to a soaking or stripping method.
Step 3: Score Only When Needed
If water or wallpaper remover cannot penetrate the surface effectively, a wallpaper scoring tool may help.
Use light pressure.
The goal is to perforate the wallpaper surface without cutting deeply into the drywall or plaster underneath.
Not every wallpaper-removal project requires scoring.
Step 4: Apply a Removal Solution
Depending on the wallpaper and adhesive, homeowners may try:
warm water
warm water with a small amount of dish soap
a diluted vinegar solution
a fabric-softener solution
a purpose-made commercial wallpaper remover
A commercial wallpaper stripper can be a more predictable choice for stubborn wallpaper because it is specifically formulated for adhesive removal.
Work in manageable sections so the surface stays wet long enough for the solution to work.
Step 5: Allow Time for the Solution to Work
There is no universal soak time for every wallpaper.
Some papers begin releasing after a relatively short soak, while stubborn adhesive may require additional time and more than one application.
Follow the instructions for the stripping product you are using and test a small area before continuing.
If the paper still resists, reapply the solution rather than forcing it off dry.
Step 6: Peel or Scrape Carefully
Once the adhesive has softened, lift the wallpaper gently.
A wallpaper scraper or broad putty knife can help with stubborn sections.
Keep the tool at a shallow angle and avoid digging into the wall.
Plastic tools may reduce the risk of gouging compared with sharp metal blades, although any scraper can damage drywall if used too aggressively.
Step 7: Remove Remaining Adhesive
After the paper is gone, adhesive residue may remain on the wall.
Do not assume the wall is ready for primer or paint just because the wallpaper itself has been removed.
Use an appropriate adhesive-removal method and clean the wall thoroughly according to the product instructions.
After the adhesive has been removed, rinse or clean the surface as appropriate and allow it to dry fully before evaluating repairs, primer, or paint.
How Long Do You Need to Soak Wallpaper Before Removing It?
Soak time depends on the wallpaper, adhesive, wall surface, and removal product.
Some wallpaper begins releasing fairly quickly.
Other wallpaper may need multiple applications before the adhesive softens enough to remove without damaging the wall.
Rather than relying on one fixed time, test a small section.
If the wallpaper still feels firmly bonded, give the solution more time or reapply it.
The goal is to soften the adhesive enough that the wallpaper releases with reasonable effort.
Does Dish Soap Help Remove Wallpaper?
A small amount of dish soap mixed with warm water is one DIY method homeowners sometimes use to help wet wallpaper and loosen some adhesives.
It may work adequately on some projects.
It is not guaranteed to work on every wallpaper or adhesive, and it should not be treated as automatically equivalent to a purpose-made wallpaper remover.
If warm water and a small amount of dish soap do not soften the adhesive effectively, moving to a commercial wallpaper stripper may be more practical.
Vinegar, Fabric Softener, or Commercial Wallpaper Remover?
Several DIY wallpaper-removal mixtures are commonly used.
A diluted white-vinegar solution may help on some water-soluble adhesives.
Fabric-softener-and-water mixtures are another established DIY method used to help loosen certain wallpapers.
Neither method works equally well on every wall.
Vinyl-coated wallpaper, multiple layers, heavy adhesive, painted-over wallpaper, and other difficult conditions may respond better to scoring where appropriate and a commercial wallpaper-removal product.
The safest approach is to test a small area first and follow the instructions for any commercial stripper you use.
How Do You Remove Stubborn Wallpaper Glue?
Stubborn adhesive residue may require a purpose-made adhesive remover rather than repeated scraping.
Apply the remover according to the manufacturer’s instructions and allow enough time for it to soften the residue.
Work carefully in smaller areas.
A plastic scraper or sponge may help remove softened adhesive without unnecessarily gouging the surface.
Afterward, clean the wall as directed and allow it to dry.
Do not rush directly into sanding simply because adhesive remains.
If sanding or scraping could disturb old painted surfaces in a home built before 1978, lead safety becomes an important consideration.
EPA guidance warns that renovation activities such as sanding, scraping, and other paint-disturbing work can create hazardous lead dust when lead-based paint is present.
If you are unsure what is underneath the wallpaper in an older home, review current EPA lead-safety guidance before beginning aggressive surface disturbance.
Will Removing Wallpaper Damage Your Drywall or Plaster?
It can.
Drywall is especially vulnerable because aggressive scraping or pulling can tear the paper facing.
That may leave fuzzy or torn areas that need repair before painting.
Plaster can also be gouged or damaged, particularly when sharp tools are used too aggressively.
Some surface repair after wallpaper removal is not unusual.
Depending on the condition of the wall, preparation may include:
smoothing torn drywall paper
patching gouges
repairing cracks
sanding repairs where appropriate
removing remaining adhesive
priming repaired or problem areas before finish painting
The amount of repair depends on what is discovered after the wallpaper comes off.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
DIY wallpaper removal can make sense when the project is small, the wallpaper releases easily, the walls are in good condition, and you are comfortable with the time and mess involved.
A single accent wall with newer, strippable wallpaper may be much more manageable than a whole room with several layers of older paper.
Professional help may be worth considering when the project involves:
multiple rooms
several layers of wallpaper
stubborn or unknown adhesive
extensive wall damage
older plaster
painted-over wallpaper
difficult access
uncertainty about lead-based paint
substantial repair and preparation after removal
Hiring a professional does not automatically mean every project will be faster or less expensive.
The advantage is that an experienced contractor can evaluate the wallpaper, wall condition, removal difficulty, and preparation needed before the new finish goes on.
Wallpaper removal is often only the first step in a larger wall-finishing project.
For related professional services, see Decorative Faux and Wallpaper Finishes in Lawrence, KS.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you paint directly over wallpaper glue residue?
You should not assume a wall with visible adhesive residue is ready for paint.
Remaining wallpaper adhesive can interfere with surface preparation and coating performance.
Remove the residue, clean the wall appropriately, allow it to dry, repair any damaged areas, and use primer where the wall condition or coating system calls for it.
Do you need a wallpaper steamer for every job?
No.
Some wallpaper can be removed with peeling, soaking, or a wallpaper-removal solution.
Steamers may be helpful on certain stubborn projects, but they are not automatically necessary for every wall.
Follow the equipment manufacturer’s safety instructions carefully because steam and hot water can cause burns and can also introduce substantial moisture into the wall surface.
How much does it cost to have wallpaper professionally removed?
Cost depends on the actual scope of the project, including the amount of wallpaper, number of layers, adhesive, wall condition, access, and repair or preparation needed afterward.
Titleist Painting prices the specific project rather than publishing a generic wallpaper-removal range.
If you want an estimate for your particular walls, request an estimate.
What’s the biggest mistake first-time DIY wallpaper removers make?
One common mistake is trying to force stubborn wallpaper off before the adhesive has softened enough.
That can turn a manageable removal project into unnecessary scraping and wall damage.
Another common mistake is assuming the job is finished once the paper is gone.
Remaining adhesive still needs to be addressed before the wall is repaired, primed, or painted.
What should I do if drywall paper tears during removal?
Stop pulling aggressively around the damaged area.
Once the wallpaper and adhesive are removed, the damaged drywall surface may need to be stabilized, patched, smoothed, and primed before finish paint is applied.
The correct repair depends on how much of the drywall facing was damaged.
Is wallpaper harder to remove from plaster or drywall?
The difficulty depends more on the wallpaper, adhesive, wall preparation, and number of layers than on one wall material alone.
Drywall can be easier to damage because its paper facing may tear during scraping.
Plaster is harder than drywall but can still be gouged, cracked, or damaged by aggressive tools.
Before You Start
A little preparation can make wallpaper removal more manageable.
Protect the room.
Test a corner.
Determine whether the wallpaper will strip cleanly before scoring it.
Use enough moisture or remover to soften stubborn adhesive.
Avoid aggressive scraping.
Remove remaining glue before assuming the wall is ready for paint.
And if the home was built before 1978, take extra care before sanding, scraping, or otherwise disturbing painted surfaces underneath the wallpaper.
If you would rather have the wallpaper, wall condition, and preparation evaluated professionally, request an estimate from Titleist Painting.
Brandon, owner of Titleist Painting, has approximately 25 years of painting experience.
For additional surface-preparation guidance, Sherwin-Williams’ project resources provide general information on preparing walls for painting.
If you are planning a full wall refresh after removal, you may also want to review Interior Painting in Lawrence, KS and Drywall Repair.
