Guide written by:
Tess, painting & decorating consultant, Brighton
Whether you purchase a wallpaper stripper or rent one for a one-off job, you'll find the tool to be an invaluable help in removing old wallpaper without spending hours on the job.
Wallpaper strippers are equipped with a water tank that incorporates a heating element. A hose connects the tank to a steam plate where the steam comes out. The steam plate is equipped with a handle for easy handling.
The main characteristics of the wallpaper stripper must be suited to the type of work you want to do. Power rating, tank capacity, steam rate (may be adjustable), hose length and price are all factors to take into account to ensure that you are properly equipped before you start work.
To protect your floors from steam and bits of wallpaper, it's best to line them with plastic sheets. Be sure to turn off the power in the room at the mains. You can plug your wallpaper stripper into an outlet in another room using an extension cable.
Fill up the water tank and turn on the device. You'll need to wait around ten minutes for enough steam to form to start stripping the wallpaper. Be careful: hot water can drip from the steam stripper as it starts up.
It's best to place the steam plate over a bucket or basin when not in use. You should also use waterproof gloves to protect you from steam and prevent glue from getting on your hands.
Place the steam plate against the wallpaper and wait a few moments for the steam to dampen the surface.
Holding the steam plate with one hand, slide the scraper under the edge of a wallpaper strip with the other. Hold the scraper at an angle so it slides under the wallpaper without damaging the wall itself.
If the wallpaper isn't coming off properly, do not hesitate to dampen the surface again with the steam plate.
Continue to remove pieces of loosened wallpaper, working your way around the room. To stop the paper from sticking to the ground and/or your stepladder, collect them in a large bin bag as you go.
When the stripper is no longer producing steam, this means the tank is empty. Be sure to turn off the device and wait for a few minutes before removing the drainage plug from the tank and filling it with water. You will once again have to wait a few minutes for the stripper to start producing steam.
You might have to work a bit harder with the scraper and leave the steam plate in place for longer around the skirting boards. The skirting boards may have been installed after the wallpaper was hung making it more difficult to remove.
To reach the top of your walls, you may have to use a stepladder. If you're struggling to slide the scraper under the paper in some parts, you might want to cut into the wallpaper gently with a blade knife first. Be careful not to go to deep so as not to damage the wall beneath.
Once all the wallpaper has been removed, turn off and unplug the wallpaper steam stripper. Next, wash your walls with a sponge dipped in hot water. Rinse the sponge regularly to get rid of any glue.
You can then turn the power back on at the mains. Your wall should now be ready to redecorate however you like!
Using a steam stripper
Using tools like blade knives and scraper tools
Protecting your surfaces
Cleaning your surfaces
Working crouched down
Working on a ladder
Half a day to a day, depending on the size of the room
1 person
Protective clothing
Please note: this is a non-exhaustive list; be sure to match your personal protective equipment to the job at hand.
Guide written by:
Tess, painting & decorating consultant, Brighton