Removing old wallpaper is the essential first step before hanging any new wallcovering. Done properly, it leaves you with a perfectly smooth, clean surface that gives your new wallpaper the best possible foundation. Done carelessly, it can damage walls, leave residue that causes new paper to bubble, or, in the case of expensive wallcoverings, cause unnecessary damage that could have been avoided.
This guide covers everything from standard vinyl wallpapers through to specialist luxury wallcoverings, including what to do differently when removing silk, grasscloth, or hand-painted papers.
Before You Start: Identify Your Wallpaper Type
Not all wallpapers are removed the same way. Knowing what you're dealing with saves time and prevents wall damage.
Standard vinyl or paste-the-wall wallpaper — the most common type. Usually peelable in strips, with a paper or non-woven backing that may need a second pass.
Non-woven (fleece) wallpaper — often dry-strippable in one piece. Pull from a corner and the whole drop may come away cleanly.
Grasscloth and natural fibre wallcoverings — require extra care. Natural fibres can tear unevenly and leave backing stuck to the wall. Never soak heavily, the fibres will disintegrate and become very difficult to remove.
Silk wallpaper — the most delicate. Professional removal is strongly recommended. Aggressive scraping or over-wetting can damage the plaster beneath.
Vinyl-coated or washable wallpaper — water-resistant surface means soaking solution can't penetrate without scoring first.
Hand-painted murals and scenic papers — if there is any chance the paper has value or you may wish to rehang it, consult a professional conservator before attempting removal.
💡 Studio 198 tip: If you're removing wallpaper specifically to hang a new luxury wallcovering from our collection, take extra care with wall preparation — silk wallpapers and grasscloth in particular will show every imperfection in the wall beneath.
What You'll Need
- Spray bottle or broad brush for applying solution
- Wallpaper stripping solution (or warm water with a small amount of washing-up liquid for standard papers)
- Scraper or stripping knife — wider is better for large areas
- Scoring tool or sandpaper (for vinyl-coated papers only — use carefully)
- Sponge, cloth and a bucket of clean water
- Dust sheets and masking tape
- Wallpaper steamer (optional — useful for large areas or stubborn papers)
- Eye protection
Wall Type Matters: Plaster vs Drywall
Plastered walls are more forgiving — they can handle more moisture and a firmer scraping angle without damage.
Drywall (plasterboard) is much more vulnerable. Over-soaking will cause the paper face of the board to bubble and separate. Use less water, work in smaller sections, and use a very shallow scraper angle. If you're planning to hang expensive wallpaper on drywall, consider having a plasterer skim the walls after removal to give a perfect surface.
Method 1 — Standard Removal (No Steamer)
This works well for most standard and non-woven wallpapers.
Step 1 — Prepare the room Move furniture away from walls and lay dust sheets. Tape around sockets and light switches. Turn off electricity to the room if you're working near any electrical fittings.
Step 2 — Try dry stripping first Before reaching for water, try peeling a corner. Non-woven papers often come away dry in full strips — start at a seam, peel back slowly at a low angle, and work your way down. If it comes cleanly, you may not need water at all.
Step 3 — Apply stripping solution If dry stripping doesn't work, mix your stripping solution as directed (or use warm water with a little washing-up liquid). Working in manageable sections, apply to the wall with a spray bottle or broad brush. Work from the bottom upwards.
Step 4 — Allow to soak Give the solution 3–5 minutes to penetrate and soften the paste behind the paper. Don't rush this step — the paper should feel visibly damp and slightly soft before you scrape.
Step 5 — Scrape carefully Hold your scraper at a shallow angle — almost parallel to the wall. Lift the paper gently rather than gouging. Work in steady strokes, re-applying solution to any areas that resist.
Step 6 — Remove backing if present Many wallpapers have a separate backing layer that stays on the wall after the face is removed. This must also come off — apply solution, allow to soak, and scrape as before.
Method 2 — Steam Removal
A wallpaper steamer uses hot vapour to soften paste and is particularly effective for washable or vinyl-coated papers, thick papers, and large areas. You can hire one from most tool hire shops.
Step 1 — Fill and heat the steamer following the manufacturer's instructions.
Step 2 — Hold the steam plate against the wall for approximately 30 seconds per section. You'll see the wallpaper begin to blister and loosen.
Step 3 — While the section is still hot and soft, scrape carefully with a broad scraper.
Step 4 — Move methodically across the wall — steam one section while scraping the previous one.
⚠️ Important: Never use a steamer near electrical fittings, and always follow the manufacturer's safety guidance. Steam can cause burns. Keep the plate moving — holding it in one place too long can cause moisture damage, especially on drywall.
Removing Grasscloth and Natural Wallcoverings
Grasscloth requires a different approach to standard wallpaper. The natural fibres are woven or bonded to a paper backing, and over-soaking causes the fibres to separate and become messy and difficult to remove.
Key differences:
- Use less water than you would for standard wallpaper
- Work in very small sections
- Score lightly only if absolutely necessary, aggressive scoring tears the fibres
- Accept that removal will take longer — patience is essential
- The paper backing behind the grasscloth may need a separate removal pass
After removal, wash the walls thoroughly to remove all paste residue, any remaining paste will prevent new wallpaper from adhering properly.
Removing Silk Wallpaper
Our strong recommendation: use a professional installer for silk wallpaper removal.
Silk wallpapers are extremely delicate and the consequences of improper removal can include damaged plaster, torn wall surfaces, and walls that require significant repair before any new wallcovering can be hung. Professional wallpaper hangers have the tools and experience to remove silk carefully and efficiently.
If you do need to proceed yourself:
- Use minimal moisture
- Work in very small sections
- Use a very fine, flexible scraper
- Never use a steamer on silk
Clean Down and Wall Preparation
This step is critical — especially before hanging a luxury wallcovering. Any paste residue left on the wall will cause new wallpaper to bubble, lift at the seams, or fail to adhere.
Step 1 — Wash the entire wall surface with a sponge and clean warm water. Rinse frequently.
Step 2 — Allow to dry completely. This can take 24–48 hours depending on how much moisture was used.
Step 3 — Inspect carefully under a raking light (a lamp held close to the wall surface at an angle). This reveals any remaining paste residue, gouges, cracks or imperfections.
Step 4 — Fill all cracks and holes with filler, sand smooth, and dust off.
Step 5 — Apply a size coat or acrylic primer before hanging new wallpaper. This seals the surface and prevents paste from soaking in too quickly — essential for grasscloth, silk, and any natural wallcovering.
For our full guide on hanging your new wallpaper, read: How to Hang Luxury Wallpaper: A Step-by-Step Guide
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Why it happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Paper won't absorb water | Vinyl or washable surface | Score lightly before soaking — use a scoring tool carefully |
| Paper tears into small pieces | Over-dried old paste or brittle paper | Re-soak repeatedly in small sections, extend dwell time |
| Gouges appearing in wall | Scraper angle too steep | Keep blade almost parallel to wall; use a wider scraper |
| Paste residue remains | Insufficient washing after removal | Re-wet, scrape again, then wash thoroughly and dry |
| New wallpaper bubbling later | Paste residue not fully removed | Strip new paper, clean wall completely, re-hang |
| Drywall surface damaged | Over-soaking or scraping too hard | Fill, sand and skim — consider professional plastering before re-papering |
Ready to Choose Your New Wallpaper?
With your walls perfectly prepared, you're ready for the most exciting part, choosing your new wallcovering. At Studio 198 we stock an exceptional range of luxury wallpapers from the world's most prestigious design houses, with worldwide delivery on all orders.
👉 Browse our full wallpaper collection 👉 Shop our silk wallpaper collection 👉 Shop our grasscloth collection 👉 Use our free wallpaper calculator 👉 How to hang luxury wallpaper — our expert guide 👉 Contact Studio 198 for expert advice