How to Remove Wallpaper Without Damaging Your Walls

You've decided to give your interior a fresh look and it's time to remove the wallpaper? Good news: with the right methods and a minimum of equipment, removing wallpaper is entirely achievable without calling in a professional — and without wrecking your walls. In this complete guide, we explain how to remove wallpaper easily, step by step, whatever type of covering is currently in place.

The essential equipment for removing wallpaper

Before you start, prepare your workspace. Here are the basic tools to have on hand:

• A putty knife or scraper (wide, flexible blade) to lift the strips without scratching the plaster
• A sponge and a bucket to dampen the paper
• A sprayer or roller to apply the stripping solution
• A steam stripper (available for rent at hardware stores) for stubborn wallpaper
• Protective sheeting to cover the floor and baseboards
• Stripping solution (such as Quelyd Dissoucol) or a homemade solution of water and white vinegar

Protect the floor and electrical outlets well before starting — water and electrics don't mix.

How to remove wallpaper step by step

Step 1: Protect the room

Remove the furniture or cover it, lay sheeting on the floor, and cut the power to wall outlets if you're working with water or steam. This is a step that's often overlooked, yet it prevents a lot of damage.

Step 2: Identify the type of wallpaper

Everything starts with a diagnosis. The type of wallpaper entirely determines which method to use:

• Non-woven wallpaper (the most common today): it generally comes off dry, in a single strip, from bottom to top. That's the great strength of non-woven paper — no water needed, no major residue. Isidore Leroy's non-woven wallpapers are designed for a clean, effortless removal.
• Pre-pasted wallpaper: the same principle as non-woven, it comes off dry easily. To learn more about its properties, check out our article dedicated to super matte non-woven pre-pasted paper.
• Vinyl or traditional wallpaper: more stubborn, it requires dampening and sometimes a steam stripper.

If in doubt, discreetly lift a corner in an inconspicuous spot — if the paper comes away in one dry piece, it's non-woven. If it tears in layers, plan on using water.

Step 3: Strip the wallpaper dry or with water

For non-woven or pre-pasted paper:
Cut the strip at the bottom with the scraper, grab it with both hands and pull slowly upward, keeping a 15-20° angle. The top layer comes away cleanly from the paper backing, which may need slight dampening.

For vinyl or older paper:
Apply a solution of lukewarm water mixed with stripping solution (or dish soap, or white vinegar) using a roller or sprayer. Let it soak in for 5 to 10 minutes, then lift the edge with the scraper, working section by section. A steam stripper is remarkably effective on coated surfaces and old multi-layer wallpaper.

Step 4: Remove glue residue

Once the paper is removed, a thin layer of glue often remains on the wall. Go over it with a sponge soaked in lukewarm water (with a little stripping solution), rubbing gently. Rinse with clean water, then let it dry for 24 to 48 hours before applying anything new.

How to strip wallpaper without any product?

Yes, it's entirely possible. Hot water alone, applied generously with a sponge or sprayer, is often enough to soften the glue on old wallpaper. To boost the effect, add white vinegar (one glass per liter of water): its acidity attacks the glue without harming the surface. It's an economical, eco-friendly, and effective solution — particularly suited to fragile surfaces like old plaster.

Preparing your wall after removal: cleaning and finishing

The wall is bare, but it's not yet ready to receive a new covering. Here are the steps to follow for a flawless surface:

1. Remove glue residue with a damp sponge and stripping solution
2. Rinse with clean water to neutralize the products
3. Let it dry completely (minimum 24h, ideally 48h)
4. Inspect the surface: fill any holes or cracks with filler, sand lightly
5. Apply a primer if the plaster is porous before hanging new wallpaper

A well-prepared wall guarantees a flawless, long-lasting installation. Find all our tips for the next steps in our complete step-by-step wallpaper hanging guide.

Which wallpaper should you choose to make future removals easier?

If you're currently having to remove old wallpaper, now's the perfect time to think ahead. For your next installation, choose:

• Non-woven paper: it comes off dry, in one strip, with no residue — the most practical solution for easier future work. The entire Isidore Leroy collection is available on non-woven backing.
• Pre-pasted paper: the same ease of removal, plus the simplicity of hanging without pasting the wall. Ideal for beginners. Check out our pre-pasted wallpaper hanging guide to learn everything.

Avoid thick, multi-layer vinyl wallpapers if you know you'll be redecorating again in a few years: they're considerably more laborious to remove.

FAQ — Your questions about removing wallpaper

How can I remove wallpaper easily?

Start by identifying the type of paper: non-woven paper comes off dry, by pulling gently from the bottom. For old or vinyl wallpaper, dampen it with a water + white vinegar solution or a stripping product like Quelyd, let it work for 5-10 minutes, then remove it with a flexible scraper.

What equipment do you need to remove wallpaper?

The essentials: a wide flexible scraper, a sponge, a sprayer, a bucket, and a stripping product (or white vinegar). For stubborn wallpaper, a steam stripper (available to rent) will save you precious time.

How can I easily strip wallpaper without any product?

Hot water alone works on many old wallpapers. Apply it generously with a sponge or sprayer, let it soak for 5 to 10 minutes, then gently remove it with the scraper. White vinegar diluted in water boosts the effect without any chemical product.

How do I prepare a wall after removing wallpaper?

Once the paper is removed, clear away glue residue with a damp sponge, rinse with clean water, and let it dry for a minimum of 24 to 48 hours. Then fill any holes or cracks with filler, sand lightly, and apply a primer if the plaster is porous. This last point is essential: on an unprimed wall, new wallpaper risks not adhering properly or bubbling. Take the time to properly prepare the surface — it makes all the difference to the final result.