Wallpaper That Won’t Come Off? Remove It In One Afternoon (No Chemicals, No Damage)

You bought a house with wallpaper from 1987, or maybe you are just ready to update that outdated pattern you have been staring at for years. Either way, the idea of removing wallpaper sounds exhausting, messy, and time-consuming.

Here’s the truth. Removing wallpaper is not as bad as you think, especially if you have the right tools and know the steps. Most rooms can be stripped in one afternoon, and you do not need harsh chemicals or a contractor.

If you are planning a budget-friendly makeover and want to tackle the prep work yourself, this pairs perfectly with budget weekend makeovers under $100 once the wallpaper is gone.

What you will need

You do not need a ton of fancy equipment. Here is what actually works.

A wallpaper steamer. This is the tool that makes the biggest difference. The Wagner 715 or 725 wallpaper steamer heats water and produces steam that softens the adhesive so the wallpaper peels off easily.​

A wallpaper scoring tool. This small handheld tool has little wheels with tiny spikes that punch hundreds of holes in the wallpaper so steam and water can get behind it. The Roman or Hyde scoring tool makes removal way faster.​

A wide putty knife or scraper (3 to 6 inches wide) to lift and scrape off the softened wallpaper without gouging your walls.​

A spray bottle filled with hot water and a few drops of dish soap or fabric softener, if you want to try the budget method before investing in a steamer.

Drop cloths or old towels to protect your floors. Wallpaper removal gets wet and messy.

A sponge and bucket of clean water for wiping down walls after the wallpaper is off.​

If you are dealing with moisture issues in your home and want to prevent damage during renovations, check out how to stop window condensation before mold starts for related tips.

Step 1: Prep the room

Move furniture away from the walls or cover it with plastic sheeting. Lay drop cloths or old towels along the baseboards to catch water and wallpaper scraps.

Turn off the electricity to any outlets or light switches on the walls you are working on. Remove the outlet and switch covers so you do not get them wet or damaged.​

If you have never worked with electrical fixtures before, home repairs with zero experience walks through beginner safety tips.

Step 2: Test a small section first

Not all wallpaper is the same. Some older wallpaper is just paper backed with paste. Some newer wallpaper has a vinyl coating that makes it water-resistant.

Pick a small section, spray it with hot water, and wait a few minutes. Try to peel it with your scraper. If it comes off in large strips, you are dealing with easy-removal wallpaper. If it barely budges or only the top layer peels off, you have vinyl-coated or stubborn wallpaper that will need scoring and steaming.

Step 3: Score the wallpaper

This step is critical if you have vinyl or coated wallpaper. The scoring tool punches tiny holes through the surface so moisture can reach the adhesive underneath.​

Hold the scoring tool flat against the wall and move it in overlapping circles or back and forth motions. You want to cover the entire surface with perforations. Do not press too hard or you will damage the drywall underneath.​​

If you skip this step, your steamer or spray bottle will just sit on top of the vinyl and never soften the glue. Trust me, scoring saves you hours of frustration.​

And if you are fixing up a rental or your first home and need more beginner-friendly renovation tips, fixing builder-grade eyesores on a weekend covers other quick upgrades.

Step 4: Apply steam or hot water

If you are using a wallpaper steamer, fill the reservoir with water and let it heat up until steam starts coming out of the plate. Hold the steam plate against the scored wallpaper for about 30 seconds to a minute, then move to the next section.​

The steam penetrates the holes you made with the scoring tool and softens the adhesive. Work in small sections, about 3 feet by 3 feet at a time.

If you are using the budget method, spray the scored wallpaper generously with hot water mixed with dish soap or fabric softener. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes before scraping. You might need to spray and wait multiple times.

The steamer is faster and more effective, but the spray bottle method can work on easier wallpaper if you are patient.​

Step 5: Scrape off the wallpaper

Once the wallpaper is steamed or soaked, use your wide putty knife to lift an edge at a seam and start scraping. Hold the knife at a low angle to avoid gouging the drywall.​

The wallpaper should peel off in large strips if the adhesive is soft enough. If it is not budging, apply more steam or water and wait a bit longer.​​

Work from the bottom up or top down in manageable sections. Do not try to do the whole room at once. Steam or soak, scrape, then move to the next area.​

If you are tackling multiple home projects and want to stay organized, the 30-day home reset challenge helps you break big tasks into smaller steps.

Step 6: Remove leftover adhesive

After the wallpaper is off, you will probably see patches of sticky residue or backing paper still stuck to the wall. Do not skip this step or your new paint will not stick properly.​

Spray the residue with hot water or a wallpaper removal solution and let it soak for a few minutes. Use your scraper or a damp sponge to wipe it away.​

Keep wiping with clean water until the wall feels smooth and there is no sticky or slimy residue left. Let the walls dry completely before you sand or paint.​

And if you are planning to paint the walls yourself next, peel and stick backsplash tips for renters covers other easy DIY surface upgrades.

Step 7: Repair and prep the walls

Once the walls are clean and dry, inspect them for damage. Wallpaper removal can sometimes pull off small chunks of drywall or leave gouges from scraping.

Use spackle or joint compound to fill any holes, cracks, or rough spots. Let it dry, then sand it smooth with fine-grit sandpaper.​

Wipe the walls down one more time with a damp cloth to remove dust. Prime the walls before painting to seal the surface and ensure even paint coverage.​

If you are working on fixing up your space on a tight budget, how we saved $400 a month with 5 simple changes shows other ways to stretch your renovation dollars.

Tips to make wallpaper removal easier

Work in small sections. Do not try to steam or soak the entire wall at once. The adhesive re-hardens as it cools, so focus on one manageable area at a time.

Keep your steam plate or sponge moving. Holding the steamer in one spot too long can damage drywall. Keep it moving and let the steam do the work.​​

Use fabric softener if you do not have a steamer. Mix equal parts fabric softener and hot water in a spray bottle. It helps break down the adhesive and smells better than plain water.

Rent a steamer if you do not want to buy one. Most home improvement stores rent wallpaper steamers by the day for around $20 to $30.​

Protect your floors and yourself. Wallpaper removal is wet work. Wear old clothes, and make sure your drop cloths stay in place.

When to call a professional

If the wallpaper was applied directly to unprimed drywall, removal might pull off the paper layer of the drywall itself. That requires more extensive repair and might be worth hiring a pro.

If you have multiple layers of wallpaper or wallpaper glued over textured walls, the job gets significantly harder and more time-consuming.​

If you tried everything and the wallpaper still will not budge, a professional wallpaper removal service has industrial steamers and experience with stubborn adhesives.​

But for most standard wallpaper jobs, this is totally doable as a DIY project. If you are building your confidence with home repairs, 5 home repairs I finally learned to do myself and saved $500 covers other beginner-friendly fixes.

Wallpaper removal FAQs

How long does it take to remove wallpaper from one room?
A typical bedroom or living room takes 4 to 6 hours for one person working steadily. Bathrooms and smaller rooms can be done in 2 to 3 hours.

Can I remove wallpaper without a steamer?
Yes. You can use hot water with dish soap or fabric softener in a spray bottle. It just takes longer and requires more soaking and scraping.

Will removing wallpaper damage my walls?
It can if you scrape too hard or if the wallpaper was applied directly to unprimed drywall. Work gently and use steam or water to soften the adhesive instead of forcing it.

Do I need to prime walls after removing wallpaper?
Yes. Always prime before painting. Primer seals the wall, covers any remaining adhesive residue, and helps paint adhere properly.​

Removing wallpaper is one of those projects that feels overwhelming until you actually start. Once you get into a rhythm with the steamer and scraper, it goes faster than you expect. Keep a Wagner steamer, scoring tool, and wide putty knife on hand, and you can tackle any outdated wallpaper in your house.