The Simple Way to Remove Wallpaper from Drywall

Our hall bathroom came with wallpaper that I'm pretty sure was installed when shoulder pads were in fashion. Removing wallpaper has a scary reputation, but on drywall it's honestly easier than you think. All you need is hot water, a sponge or spray bottle and a little patience. Keep reading to see how we removed the wallpaper, repaired the walls and painted the bathroom for a totally fresh look.

First, figure out what kind of wallpaper you have

Grab a corner with a putty knife and pull.

• It peels off in big sheets: you have strippable paper. Lucky you - pull it dry, then wash off the paste.
• Only the top layer comes off: it's peelable (vinyl over a paper backing). Pull the vinyl face off, then soak the backing.
• Nothing budges: traditional paper. Score and soak.

Mix your homemade wallpaper remover

You don't need expensive chemical strippers. A homemade mix works beautifully. Tell the calculator about your room and it'll tell you how much to mix:

Step 1: Score the wallpaper (lightly)

Run a scoring tool over the wall in light circles to make tiny perforations so the solution can get behind the paper. Go easy - pressing hard punches holes in the drywall face. On paper that already absorbs water, you can skip this step.

Step 2: Soak it

Spray or sponge the solution on generously, working one section (about 3×3 feet) at a time. Keep the solution hot - mix small batches. Wait 10-15 minutes so it can soften the paste. Re-wet any area that starts to dry out.

Step 3: Scrape at a low angle

Hold a wide plastic scraper at a shallow angle and push gently under the paper. If it's fighting you, it's not ready - re-wet and wait a few more minutes. Let the water do the work, not your arm. That's the secret to removing wallpaper from drywall without gouging the wall.

Step 4: Wash off the glue

This is the step everyone wants to skip and shouldn't. Wallpaper paste left on the wall will make new paint crack, bubble or "alligator." Sponge the walls with clean hot water (a little dish soap helps), rinse your sponge often, and run your hand over the wall - if it feels slick or tacky, wash again. Let the walls dry overnight.

Step 5: Repair the drywall

Even when you're careful, you'll probably end up with a few torn spots where the brown paper face of the drywall shows through. Those brown spots on drywall are the one thing you must not paint or mud directly over - they'll bubble.

1. Seal the brown spots with an oil-based or shellac-based primer and let it dry.
2. Skim with joint compound. Feather it out thin with a wide knife.
3. Sand smooth with a fine sanding sponge once dry, and wipe off the dust.

Step 6: Prime and paint

Prime the whole wall with a good primer to seal any lingering adhesive and patches - this is the best way to get a smooth, even paint finish after wallpaper removal. Then paint! We went with a soft, light color that made our small bathroom feel twice as big. Not sure how much paint to get? Try our room paint calculator.

Wallpaper removal tips

• Protect the floor and baseboards with towels - the paper and water get everywhere.
• Multiple layers? Remove them one at a time; soak each layer.
• Plaster walls are more forgiving than drywall and can take a steamer.
• Removing wallpaper border: same process, but borders are often on painted walls with heavy paste - expect to soak twice.
• Got a steamer? Use it on plaster or very stubborn paper, but be careful on drywall; steam can soften the paper face.

Once the walls were done, we tackled the grout and caulk in the same bathroom - see painted grout for under $20 and how to re-caulk a tub.