Use a Wallpaper Steamer

Use a dedicated wallpaper steamer to drive hot steam through the paper and dissolve the adhesive without chemicals.

How It Works

A wallpaper steamer heats water in a reservoir and delivers steam through a hose to a flat pad that you press against the wall. The steam penetrates the wallpaper (often without scoring) and heats the adhesive to the point where it softens and releases. This is a chemical-free method that relies entirely on heat and moisture.

Instructions

1. Protect floors and furniture with drop cloths. Turn off power to outlets and switches in the area
2. Fill the steamer reservoir with water per the manufacturer's instructions
3. Plug in and let the steamer heat up (10-15 minutes depending on the model)
4. Hold the steamer pad flat against the wallpaper for 15-30 seconds until the paper darkens slightly or begins to loosen
5. Move the steamer pad to the adjacent section while scraping the just-steamed area with your other hand
6. Work in a continuous rhythm: steam the next section while scraping the current one
7. For stubborn areas, hold the steam pad longer (up to 60 seconds) but monitor the wall surface
8. After all wallpaper is removed, wash the walls with clean warm water and a sponge to remove residue
9. Let walls dry completely before priming or painting

Tips

• A steamer is the most effective single tool for multiple layers of old wallpaper and painted-over wallpaper
• Scoring is often unnecessary with a steamer, but it can speed the process on thick vinyl papers
• Start in an inconspicuous corner to calibrate how long the steamer needs to be held on each spot
• Work from bottom to top so steam rising from below pre-softens the wallpaper above
• Steam produces a lot of condensation — have towels along the baseboards to catch drips
• Steamers can be purchased for $50-100 or rented from hardware stores for $30-50 per day

Common Mistakes

• Holding the steamer in one spot for too long (over 60 seconds), which can soften drywall joint compound and damage the paper face of drywall
• Not wearing gloves and long sleeves — steam condensation running down the wall and steam escaping from pad edges causes burns
• Waiting too long after steaming to scrape — the wallpaper re-adheres as it cools and dries
• Using the steamer near electrical outlets without first turning off the circuit
• Not having a scraper ready in hand — steamed wallpaper has a narrow window of optimal removal