How to Remove Wallpaper Quickly and Easily

Have you recently purchased a new home or are you planning to refresh your existing living space? Removing old wallpaper is one of the first steps that may seem like a tedious task at first glance. In reality, with the right techniques and tools, it becomes a quick and even enjoyable activity. We're sharing professional tips on how to remove wallpaper efficiently and which tools to use for the job.

Required tools and materials

Before you start, make sure you have everything you need:

• Plastic sheeting or old newspapers to cover the floor

• Protective gloves and goggles

• Wallpaper scraper or wider putty knife

• Perforator or wallpaper roller with sharp edges

• Spray bottle or larger spray bottle

• Water and wallpaper removal solution (or dish soap diluted with water)

• Bucket of warm water

• Sponge or soft cloth

• Steamer (optional, but extremely effective)

• Garbage bags

Preparation and safety

Proper preparation saves a lot of time and effort later. Cover the floor and furniture with sheeting to protect them from splashes and wallpaper strips. Make sure to turn off the electricity in the room where you'll be removing wallpaper, especially if you're using a steamer or working near electrical outlets.

Personal protective equipment is also important – wear gloves to protect your skin from chemicals, and safety goggles, especially when removing wallpaper from the ceiling. This way you'll avoid eye or skin irritation that can be caused by wallpaper removal products or falling wallpaper strips.

Steps for wallpaper removal

1. Determining the type of wallpaper

Before you start, it's important to know what type of wallpaper you're dealing with:

• Removable wallpaper – Newer wallpapers are often easily removable, simply by pulling from a corner.

• Washable wallpapers – These can usually be removed with water and wallpaper removal solution.

• Vinyl wallpapers – The top layer must be removed to allow water to reach the adhesive.

• Painted wallpaper – Requires more preparation for water to penetrate through.

Determining the wallpaper type helps you choose the right approach and save time. Try pulling a small corner – if it comes off easily, the entire wallpaper may be easily removable. If not, you'll need to use a more thorough method.

2. Perforating the wallpaper

Before moistening, it's necessary to perforate the wallpaper, especially if it's vinyl or painted wallpaper. This allows water and wallpaper removal solution to reach the adhesive layer:

1. Use a perforator or wallpaper removal roller to make small holes in the wallpaper.

2. Don't press too hard to avoid damaging the wall.

3. Cover the entire wallpaper surface with perforations.

Pay special attention to corners and edges where the wallpaper may be stuck more firmly. The more thoroughly you perforate, the more effective the subsequent moistening will be.

3. Moistening the wallpaper

Moistening is a key step that helps the adhesive dissolve:

1. Fill a spray bottle with warm water and add wallpaper removal solution according to the instructions on the package.

2. Alternatively, you can use a solution consisting of 1 part dish soap and 20 parts warm water.

3. Start from the top and spray the solution evenly across the entire wallpaper surface.

4. Let the solution soak in for at least 10-15 minutes. For difficult-to-remove wallpaper, this time may extend to 30 minutes.

Proper moistening is the key to success. Insufficiently moistened wallpaper is hard to remove, while too much water can damage the wall. Moisten the wall in several sections so the solution doesn't dry before removal.

4. Removing the wallpaper

Once the wallpaper is sufficiently moistened, you can start removing it:

1. Start from a corner or edge, using a scraper or putty knife.

2. Lift the wallpaper carefully and pull it off.

3. If the wallpaper comes off with difficulty, moisten again and wait a few more minutes.

4. Remove wallpaper in as large pieces as possible, which speeds up cleanup.

When removing wallpaper, pull it parallel to the wall, not straight out. This reduces the risk of wall damage and the wallpaper comes off more evenly.

5. Steaming method (optional)

A steamer is a particularly effective tool for removing stubborn wallpaper:

1. Fill the steamer according to the manufacturer's instructions and let it heat up.

2. Hold the steamer against the wallpaper for about 10 seconds.

3. Remove the wallpaper with a scraper immediately after steaming.

4. Work methodically from one section of the wall to another.

The advantage of the steaming method is speed – it can reduce work time by up to half compared to the traditional moistening method, especially for walls with multiple layers of wallpaper. Additionally, this method is more environmentally friendly as it doesn't require chemicals.

Solving problem areas

Multi-layered wallpaper

Older homes may have multiple layers of wallpaper on top of each other. In this case:

1. Remove layers one at a time, starting from the top.

2. Perforate and moisten each layer separately.

3. Be patient – removing multi-layered wallpaper takes longer.

Painted wallpaper

Removing painted wallpaper requires more patience and effort:

1. Use a piece of sandpaper or a coarser brush to scratch the painted surface.

2. Perforate the wallpaper more thoroughly so water reaches the adhesive layer.

3. Use a stronger wallpaper removal solution or try the steaming method.

With painted wallpaper, you may need to moisten repeatedly and let the liquid soak in before the wallpaper starts to come off.

Protecting wall finishes

With older buildings, be especially careful not to damage the plaster:

1. Avoid excessive amounts of water on the wall, especially with gypsum plaster.

2. Don't scrape too vigorously – prefer a wallpaper scraper with no sharp corners.

3. If minor damage occurs, it can be repaired with putty before new finishing.

When removing wallpaper, you may also notice other issues, such as mold in damp rooms. From the article Tips on how to prevent mold in the bathroom you'll find useful advice on how to prevent and remove it.

Cleaning and preparing the surface

After removing the wallpaper, it's important to properly clean the surface:

1. Remove remaining adhesive residue with warm water and a sponge.

2. Let the wall dry completely (at least 24 hours).

3. Check the surface for damage and make necessary repairs.

4. Sand any uneven spots with fine sandpaper.

Proper surface preparation ensures that new finishing – whether it's paint or new wallpaper – lasts longer and looks better.

Time required and planning

The time required to remove wallpaper depends on several factors:

• Room size: For an average 15-20 m² room, allow 4-6 hours.

• Wallpaper type: Vinyl wallpaper may take longer than regular paper wallpaper.

• Number of layers: Removing multi-layered wallpaper may take several days.

• Method used: The steaming method significantly speeds up the process.

Plan your work in advance and divide a larger project into several days if necessary. Also take into account drying time – once you've removed the wallpaper, the wall should dry completely before installing new finishing.

Cleaning and waste disposal

Wallpaper removal creates a lot of waste, and proper cleanup is important:

1. Collect all wallpaper strips and put them in a garbage bag.

2. Thoroughly wash all tools, especially if you used chemical products.

3. Wallpaper waste can usually be thrown in with household waste, but for large amounts, consult your local waste management center.

After removing the wallpaper, thoroughly clean the room, removing dust and debris before the next work step.

Safety and maintenance tips

When renovating your home, safety is paramount:

• Wallpaper removal can generate a lot of dust and moisture, so ventilate the room properly.

• After work, thoroughly clean all tools so they remain in good condition for future projects.

• If you notice mold under the wallpaper, it's important to treat it properly before installing new finishing.

Properly maintained tools last longer and make work more efficient. Wash all tools immediately after use, especially if you used wallpaper removal products.

Aftercare

After removing the wallpaper and before installing new finishing:

1. Make sure the wall is completely dry.

2. Apply a primer coat to the surface, especially if you plan to repaper.

3. Repair any cracks and irregularities.

Summary

Wallpaper removal is a completely doable home project that doesn't take much time with the right tools and methods. Thorough preparation, proper technique, and consistency are the key elements to achieving successful results. Properly prepared walls are an important prerequisite for achieving quality final finishing, whether it's painting or installing new wallpaper.

If you want to put your refreshed home on the market, you'll find all the necessary services on our platform. Visit the Kinnisvara24 website where you'll find the best selection of apartments in Tallinn and throughout Estonia, as well as professional real estate agents who will help you at every stage.