A step-by-step guide to stripping wallpaper

If you're tired of the same old surroundings in your living areas, it might be time to replace the wallpaper with something different. You might go for a new design, or perhaps you might even simply repaint the walls. 

Before you start your DIY painting, though, have a quick squiz at the steps you need to carry out to get strip off your existing wallpaper. 

Step 1. Prepare the room

Stripping the wallpaper is a messy job. Start by putting down dropcloths or towels at the base of the walls and laying plastic to act as a gutter for the water that will eventually drip down to the floor. Remove the outlet covers and switch plates, too, and mask the openings with painter's tape. Don't forget to switch off the power to the room.

Step 2. Apply a solution

Once you've bought a solution or mixed one yourself, put into a spray bottle and and soak up the walls from the bottom up. Only spray as much as you can take off in 15 minutes. 

Step 3. Start stripping

Grab the wallpaper at the bottom corner, and slowly and carefully pull it upward from there. You can use putty knife to help you out, but you might want to sand it down to dull the corners and protect your wall. If the paper sticks, soak it again before you start scraping. Repeat these last few steps until the wallpaper is gone. Scrape off the remaining wallpaper, backing and glue once you've sprayed it. 

Step 4. Cleaning the wall 

As soon as you're done, take some hot water, a little detergent and a sponge mop, and wipe and scrub the walls down, from top to bottom.

Step 5. Getting rid of the paste

This might be the most important step. The paste will be hard to see, but if you leave it on, it can make your paint flake eventually. Spray some gel stripper and remove every last little bit of it.