Strip wallpaper
Save £100–200 in half a day — no decorator needed
Most people hire a decorator for this. You probably don't need to.
Last updated: March 2025
Only basic tools needed — most homes already have them.
Before you start
Stripping wallpaper is straightforward but hard work. The key is soaking the paper properly — rushing it causes the paper to tear into tiny pieces and takes four times as long.
Test a small area first. Some wallpaper strips dry in one piece (vinyl-coated paper). Most paper-backed wallpaper needs soaking with water or a stripping solution.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tools & materials
- ✓Plastic dustsheets or newspaper— to protect the floor and skirting
- ✓Bucket and large sponge— for applying the soaking solution
- !Wallpaper scorer— buy — scores the surface so water penetrates through vinyl-coated wallpaper
- !Stripping solution— buy — mix with warm water; warm water alone works for uncoated paper
- !Broad scraper (4–6 inch)— buy — 10 if you do not have one
Want everything in one go?
Prices shown on retailer sites. Always check current pricing before purchasing.
Protect the floor
Lay dustsheets across the whole floor and tape them against the skirting boards. Wallpaper stripping creates a mess and the water can damage wooden floors.
Most people get this done in under 5 minutes.
Where beginners go wrong
Not soaking long enough — this is the single biggest cause of slow, frustrating stripping.
Skipping the scorer on vinyl paper — water will not penetrate and the paper will not budge.
Not protecting the floor — the water and paste make a substantial mess on wooden or laminate floors.
Stop and call a decorator if...
The plaster beneath the paper is crumbling or coming away — stripping has damaged the wall
There is mould behind the wallpaper — treat the mould and find the source of damp before redecorating
Multiple layers of very old paper — this can take significantly longer and may need a steam stripper
Cost breakdown
Recommended starter kit
Five tools that cover most home repairs.
- →Adjustable spannerAmazon·Screwfix
- →Screwdriver setAmazon·Screwfix
- →PTFE tapeAmazon·Screwfix
- →Spirit levelAmazon·Screwfix
- →Tape measureAmazon·Screwfix
Want everything in one go? Get it on Amazon
What you just learned
You now know how to remove wallpaper efficiently and prepare walls for redecoration. This is the first step in transforming any room.
Most people would pay a tradesperson for this.
⚠️ Watch out if you rent
Never strip wallpaper in a rented property without written permission from your landlord. If you expose damaged plaster underneath, you may be liable for the repair cost.