Best Way to Remove Wallpaper

After the several room makeovers featuring wallpaper installs, it occured to me that I’ve never shared the best way to remove wallpaper. Though I aim to only install wallpaper that I’m going to love for at least 5 years, it is good to know how to remove wallpaper. Today I’m sharing two ways I tried to remove wallpaper and which method worked best. Stay tuned for the reveal of the new wallpaper and bedroom! Be sure to check out all the progress each participant of the New Year, New Room Refresh Challenge is sharing today at the end of the post.

• Week 1: Girl’s Bedroom Design
• Week 2: Wallpapered Closet Reveal
• Week 3: 10 White Desks for Bedrooms
• Week 4: Best Way to Remove Wallpaper (Today)

Wallpaper Stripper Spray versus Wallpaper Steamer

I’d like to preface my review by admitting that I didn’t really want to remove any of the wallpaper. The thought of removing something sticker like was not appealing one bit. However, it was all for Chi-Chi so here we are. I’ll be sharing more video content about my experience removing wallpaper on Instagram today! Be sure to follow me there for behind the scenes looks at this room makeover project and more.

There are a few ways that you can remove wallpaper. However, I chose to try two methods today: spraying on a wallpaper stripper and working with a wallpaper steamer. My experience with both were dramatically different and one quite frustrating. However, both can do the job it all depends on your patience level and time.

Removing Wallpaper with Wallpaper Stripper Spray

Let’s start with the wallpaper stripper spray. Before applying the wallpaper stripper, I took some time to score the wallpaper. A wallpaper scorer pokes small holes over the wallpaper to allow the spray to penetrate the paper and reach the adhesive without damaging the wall. It’s best to score the paper as much as possible to help several sections get dosed with the wallpaper stripper.

I sprayed the entire wallpaper panel with the wallpaper stripper and waited 5 minutes. Then, I began to peel back the edges. The wallpaper facing began to tear away, but the wallpaper backing stayed completely in place. I knew that there would be some issues with this wallpaper since the installer had use wallpaper sizing to prep the wall and cause more wallpaper adhesion atop of using wallpaper adhesive. After a few tries, I got frustrated and sprayed the stripper again. The same result….. the wallpaper facing continued to tear away without the backing.

This method would involve so much more effort and much MUCH more spraying and waiting. More time that I was willing to dedicate.

Removing Wallpaper with a Steamer

To begin using the wallpaper steamer, I scored the wallpaper here as well so that the steam would be able to penetrate through to reach the adhesive. Then, I added water to the Wagner steamer and attached the wallpaper steamer heat. After it was ready to use, I held the wallpaper steamer attachment to the wallpaper and held in place for about 10 seconds. Then, I peeled back the wallpaper bit by bit.

This was much easier to use compared to the wallpaper stripper spray. However, there is still the issue of the wallpaper facing pulling off without the backing. The difference here was that the steamer could be reapplied for another few seconds to remove the wallpaper backing right off.

The wallpaper steamer was so much easier to use and much faster. You do have to deal with the steam run off but a few towels on the floor helps with that. Though the steamer will cost more than the stripper spray, I definitely think the cost is worth it when you consider the effectiveness in wallpaper removal, the time taken for the project, and ease of use.

Final conclusion: The better wallpaper removing method is the wallpaper steamer hands down. I will say that the stripper does come in handy if you want to get off any stuck adhesive AFTER the steamer, but it may or may not be needed. I’ll be finishing up this wall using the steamer and getting it all ready for the bedroom reveal next week. Stay tuned!

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