How to Remove STUBBORN Wallpaper (Easy Step-by-Step) 

Greta video! 5:14 tape over the electrical outlets so they dont get wet from the dripping steam. Use a different power outlet than the one in the wall you are wetting and stripping.

I don't understand how this does not have a million views. Thank you for this video!

I agree with a lot of the other comments that this is the best video on removing wallpaper and using the Wagner steamer. I've been on the fence about getting a steamer, but this just tipped the scale. The wallpaper I'm facing has resisted all other methods. Thank you so much!

Thank you so much for sharing! I have just bought a 1870 home, which I love, the only thing I do want, need, to change, is all that wall paper! I do appreciate this!

Thank you for this video! I am about to remodel a room with 40 year old wallpaper and this was a lot less intimidating than the 30 minute tutorial I first watched

Thank you for the clear, specific instructions and realistic timeline and effort needed for this project! Excellent demonstration.

I’m getting ready to do this and I appreciate your video. Last time I did it I used DIF remover and a paper tiger scorer it was just too slimy and required too much wall repair afterwards. I’m looking forward to the ease of a steamer. Thanks for the information!

This method will work on most wallpaper but you can run into wallpaper that the steamer won't remove. On very stubborn (old) wallpaper that has a waterproof cover - sanding (50 grit) is required along with scoring. The sanding and scoring will allow the steamer to soften the wallpaper to the point you can remove the top layer of wallpaper (skin) to get to the actual paper and glue. Once you peel the skin off with the steamer - go back and use the the steamer to remove the remainder of the wallpaper and glue. This definitely will add some time to the job but it will remove extremely stubborn wallpaper.

You are a lifesaver! I was in a rental and the wallpaper I bought was supposed to be pill and stick but tell me why I hired someone and they added, and then he says to the wall ! Thank you so much for this video because your girl is getting her deposit back!!!!!!

You did an excellent job of covering all the bases. Your organizational skills are impressive. I am the same way. Having all the tools set up in advance makes the task at hand easier. I have a steamer and will be giving it a try. Thanks.

Currently taking down 30 year old wallpaper. One room came down with no issues using a wallpaper remover spray. The kitchen has been a monster though. Only getting strips off maybe a couple inches long and then the backing is still stuck on there. I’m renting a steamer tomorrow. I’m hopeful from your video that it will help me.

I have actually removed the wallpaper in my rooms with the same steamer. I had to actually tear the top layer of the wallpaper off with my hands, then use the wallpaper steamer to get rid of the underneath layer which actually worked very well and the wallpaper got removed. I'm doing my mums room for her in the rented house. My sister did not agree for me to redecorate my mums room. I have got the Decorator to strip all the wallpaper off and then put the new wallpaper on in the single small room. I'm glad I came across this RU-vid video. I'm from uk it has been very helpfull for me.

Thanks so much for this! I just purchased a wagner steam perfect from an op shop for $10, no instructions whatsoever lol! I was a bit lost till seeing your vid! Literally, spent 10 min attempting to fill it lol! Failed! Your a lifesaver! Appreciate your video so much! Thanks!

Thx so much- going to try the steamer now after 3 days of unsuccessful attempts using water, fabric softener, and lots of scraping!

A very informative video. Thanks a bunch. The wallpaper i hope to remove is circa 1984 in a small bathroom. It's wall paper on top of 1-2 other layers with failed removal attempts that are quite visible leaving underneath large random elevated masses like islands on an ocean. Then it was eventually painted over. I can't fathom how anyone could leave so much wallpaper not removed before adding more. Then again back then there was no RU-vid to help. The quality of the final wallpaper install itself is indescribably bad with the edges grossly overlapping and that's the best part. I can't wait to see it gone. I cringe at removing it though. Having a plan like yours gives me courage and hope. 😊

Is it best to leave the wall to try for a good few days before you paint it,

Thank you thank you thank you. I’m at the point you said you were at at the beginning. We’re in a 70s farmhouse and my word is that paper stubborn. I’m headed to Lowe’s in a few minutes and I’m going to get a steamer.

This was such a nifty video - thank you so much! I had one question: how long, on average, did you have to sit the 'steam square' on one section; Was it five minutes? Thanks!

Just bought my first flat and this is a life saver! Thanks very much!

Thank you for this video. I got myself a steamer and your tips are very helpful to start working with it.

Thank you! I think I'm going to attempt to remove 30 year old wallpaper myself. Not only to save money, but to save my cats from the trauma of a stranger being in the house doing "scary" things. Your video was so concise and streamlined, it gives me the confidence I need to be comfortable taking on this task alone. I really appreciate it!

Omgosh!!! I have to thank you a thousand times over!!! Success! I am so excited - paper is actually coming off - sometimes in pieces that are about 10 - 12 inches long!!! Before that, the pieces were the size of a quarter!!!

Excellent - video! I wish I had seen this before I tried using a scoring tool and spray bottle.... what a nightmare. Will try this on my remaining walls - thanks!

Fabulous video best one yet and I’ve seen several. Thank you

This is a great video! I love the way you work in a very methodical & logical manner. I found a brand new Wagner steamer at a Salvation Army thrift store so going to give it a try. Thank you!

Very interesting method! Thank you!

you rock girl so organized and clear plan so easy to understand thank you

Ok, ok, you've convinced me to get a steamer. My wallpaper is from 1984 and beyond impossible to remove or look at. 😂

This video is so informative! Thank you! I have painted over wallpaper. Will be getting all these tools and will try to remove but do you have any tips with thick paint over the wallpaper? 😅

The bucket on your belt loop is genius! Oh. And nice pants that have a good spot for it!

Thank you! Very helpful!!

OMG thank you, this works so amazingly, I tagged teamed with my 2 teens and got it done. The only problem I'm having now is the wallpaper in the bathroom is pulling everything off, but it's an old, old house 🙃.

Looks great. Thanks for the clear explanation.

I just bought it and tried it for the first time. I didn’t see you having to wipe the wall from any water running down it. I get quite a bit of running water. Any suggestions? Thank you for this video.

Thisbisbthe best video I have seen so far. Thanks for your help!

Thank you so much for sharing your tips and tricks. I love women's approach to solving these problems, what's absolutely necessary, what's nice to have and what can be done without. Practical and efficient.

This is brilliant, thank you! I’m using the fabric softener method and I can’t stand the smell and the mess, it really isn’t working well. Question: does this work on particle board too? I bought a 1925 cape cod with lathe & plaster walls. Over the walls is a particle board (beaver board maybe), followed by 4 layers of wallpaper. It’s a nightmare and I feel like the wall is just laughing at me at this point 🤣

So simple. Now I will be able to do it with my eyes closed. Thanks.

Is a steamer worth the investment? Just pulled one wall off with just water 😩. Thinking of getting one. Have 3 rooms to do due to leaks that destroyed my walls!😩Not looking forward to doing this , so looking for the fastest way!

My steamer continued to spit the whole time. Is it supposed to stop?

I have some bits of wallpaper left between my beadboard. What’s best way to remove remaining bits of wallpaper?

Very good and helpful video, Thanks

Great video! Very helpful!

Thank you! I really appreciate this! So happy I found your channel

I use a heat gun on wood chip. Works a treat. Got to be a little precise with how much heat you apply but works a treat.

How long does it take to remove the wallpaper? I'm looking to remove the old wallpaper from the house but want to estimate the time for schedule. Thanks!

Replace the zip tie with a medium-sized key carabiner (aka keybiner). You don't need anything fancy; you want one that looks like rock climbing carabiners, just smaller and unable to handle high loads. They can be useful for so many things besides this. Also, whether you use a 'biner or a zip tie, wear a belt. Not only will the belt help hold up your pants from the weight of what ever you hang there, but will also: 1) make it easier to hang and remove items, 2) allow you to leave the zip tie on the bucket for future use, 3) allow multiple things to be hung easily, 4) let you move items out of the way by sliding along the belt between loops.

Hey, nice video. You made it look easy.

I tried today to remove 50+ yr old wallpaper and had also 1st looked at tons of DIY self-help steps (....took all day to only complete 1/8 of the walls .. ). It looks like I will have to be patient (and also create "steaming" attachment for my steamer)

By chance, did you have to remove wallpaper or the borders from a textured wall? I can't find any videos online for it and all methods i find involve smooth walls 😭. Its hard to remove and tearing up the walls.

This was so helpful, thank you ☺️

Thanks for sharing

This was a great how to. I have never done it and hope I don't have to lol. Ty!

What if you have some wallpapers? It won’t come off the wall I don’t know what they put it on with superglue?

Steamer on Amazon: bit.ly/3hDwL7R Wallpaper steamer at Home Depot: bit.ly/3tp5OqY (Updated 11/2022 with a slightly different newer model)

Omg, this was awesome!

Using wallpaper should be a crime !

Why does my steam leak water?

Use a plastic water spray bottle with warm water and new sharp scraper. The steamers blow the plaster off which costs a fortune.

I should have used this instead of liquid products... with my wall paper probably from 1900s at one point i was thinking of taking down the wall and reconstructing the house instead of taking the wall paper down... i mean at times the old cement came off the wall but the wall paper remained stuck to it .. also the wall paper was some kind of plastic with cardbord like backing ... so water or liquids had no effect... of course i could have painted on it and not bother removing it but at some patches due to a leak from ceiling...it did torn off...and surprisingly came off at those patches like magic.. i was also considering artificial leak by removing the whole roof of the house and calling fire department to go hog on the house tO soak it.. so the paper comes off.. anyway.. it was frustrating to say the least... i should have bought steamer and took a couple of days off from office..bought a combi ladder as the wall of course was in stairs so normall ladders wont work.. Thanks though for your video looks and feels like realistic wall paper removal exercise

I got crazy with the scraper and now i must remove 4 different wallpaper😮‍💨

Just soak the wall with a 50/50 mixture of warm water and fabric softener with a spray bottle. Paper practically falls off the wall.

Highly recommend! Watch this video and subscribe- you won’t be sorry!

looked easy to get it off with the steamer

That's not hard to get off we been steaming on bath room for 3 days still got two more days

After experiencing this, I can't understand why someone wants to wallpaper walls

It,s not very practical

Oh no! I don't want to spend money to buy such tool.

Brand name of streamer

Excellent - video! I wish I had seen this before I tried using a scoring tool and spray bottle.... what a nightmare. Will try this on my remaining walls - thanks!