How To Remove Wallpaper
You were sold on the house the moment you walked in—until your eyes landed on the wallpaper in the guest room. Maybe it’s floral. Maybe it’s faux brick. Either way, it’s not staying. Today’s the day to make it disappear for good, and if you're ready to roll up your sleeves, here’s exactly what you’ll need to make the process go smoothly.
First Things First: Prep Like a Pro
No matter what kind of wallpaper you're facing, a few basics will make life easier:
Old towels: Line the baseboards with them to catch drips and gunk.
Plastic drop cloths: Tape them over the towels to keep your floors clean during the process.
Know Your Wallpaper Type Before You Start
Wallpaper isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is the removal process. Different types call for different tools—and strategies.
Strippable Wallpaper
If your wallpaper was installed relatively recently, you might be in luck. Strippable wallpaper is designed to come off without much of a fight.
What you’ll need: A razor knife for tricky corners, a step ladder for higher areas, and your hands. That’s it.
What to expect: Start peeling at a corner and see how easily it comes off. You might be done faster than you think.
Peelable Wallpaper
This type has a vinyl top layer that peels away, leaving a paper backing behind. That backing is where the real work begins.
What you’ll need:
Liquid wallpaper stripper (mixed with hot water)
A sprayer or wide brush
Plastic scraper
Sandpaper or a scoring tool
Steps: Apply the stripper to the backing. If it resists, rough it up with sandpaper or a scoring tool, soak it again, and wait. Give it about 30 minutes, then scrape it away in sections.
Washable Wallpaper
This variety is coated in plastic, so water doesn’t penetrate easily. You’ll need to create a way in.
What you’ll need:
A scoring tool (to poke tiny holes)
Spray bottle or pump sprayer
Putty knife
Steps: Score the wallpaper, spray it generously, wait about 10 minutes, and start scraping. It’s slower going, but patience pays off.
When in Doubt, Steam It Out
Some stubborn wallpapers—especially older ones—won’t budge with stripper alone. In that case, a steamer might be your best friend. You can rent one instead of buying, and it’ll save your arms and your sanity.
Thinking Bigger?
Wallpaper removal can quickly lead to bigger ideas. If that wall’s doing nothing but holding up ugly paper, maybe it’s time to consider removing it altogether. Opening up that space can breathe new life into the layout and give you a blank canvas in every sense of the word.
Not Into the DIY Life?
If the thought of standing on a ladder, soaking and scraping wallpaper all weekend doesn’t sound like your kind of project, it might be time to bring in the pros. Quiroz Painting can handle every step—from wallpaper removal to repainting—so you don’t have to. We’ll strip the old paper, prep the surface, and apply crisp, clean paint to give that space a brand-new look.