How to Remove Wallpaper from Drywall

March 25, 2025 Dipan Patel

It's hard to say good bye to old wallpaper for walls that have become a part of your life now. The attachment grows hard and eyes get used to the same view again and again. But, for the sake of new designs and starting something fresh, you must let go of the old walls that might cause you monotony.

But the question arises, How to Remove wallpaper from drywall?

If we say the process is simple, we would be lying! But not fully!

With Wallpaper removal techniques we ease out the difficult process of removal and replace smart remedies until a smooth, clean wall.

At the end of this article, you’ll know the best way to remove wallpaper from drywall with less effort and prepare your wall for the next design. Our comprehensive guide tells you the step-wise process for seamless wallpapers removal that other way might be a headache. Stay tuned with this knowledge transfer moment and transform the wall with swift, safe, and effective measures.

Careful Practices In Removing Wallpaper From Drywall

Following are easy removal tips you need to know before removing stubborn one’s from the dry walls.

Step-by-step wallpaper removal for drywall with tools and materials

Wallpaper scraper or squeegee
Scoring tool
Damped cloth or sponge
Luke warm or mild hot water
Sprayer or mist bottle
Homemade removal solution
Plastic sheet or drop cloth
Worn clothes or rag

Know Your Wall Type

Before removing old wallpaper, It's important to know whether your walls are dry or not which means:-

Examine your wall texture and see if it's made of wood, brick, concrete or gypsum plaster.
Stripping the wallpaper from wooden walls would not be as difficult as dry walls and might not require so much preparation.

Know Your Wallpaper Type

Before removing know whether it is woven or non-woven material. A fabric or woven wallpaper might be challenging to peel off and take longer to remove even with stronger chemicals. It might damage your wall post removal unlike non-woven fabrics.

A DIY wallpaper removal with peel and stick wallpaper category is the simplest wall craft you can remove. Its majorly done using simple home remedies and needs simple tools and techniques to peel off from the wall. Leaving the dry surface clean and safe.
If it is a traditional or vinyl-coated or simply a woven fabric, chemicals like Zinsser DIF and Piranha Gel help with Safe wallpaper removal. Doing it in small sections might help ease the process.

The Process And Guide

Step 1 - Room Prep

Room Preparation to remove wallpaper from drywall

Preparing your room for the removal of the wallpaper project needs protection from debris, dust, and fumes, which otherwise might dirt the room accessories. It is good to protect furniture, valuables, and belongings with cotton or plastic covers to ensure their safety upon removal.
Apply painter’s tape to cover sockets or any other electrical outlets to leave them unharmed during wallpaper removal from walls.

Step 2 - Scoring Tools

Use wallpaper scoring tools (if needed) to help strong adhesion loosen out through perforations created by scoring. Remember not to apply too much pressure on the wallpaper as it might tear it with excessive strength, instead score gently keeping the delicate texture in mind.

Step 3 - Prepare The Solution

Boil half-mug water until lukewarm and mix one tablespoon dish soap into it.
You can use a wallpaper removal solution in the water if home made solution is not your thing.
You can make a vinegar solution by adding equal measures of warm water and vinegar in a mist bottle or sprayer, and spray in the smaller portions.
You can also use a wallpaper steamer to skip the solution making step and directly expose the wallpaper to the steamer. (Has some side effects; discussed in FAQs)

These solutions allow the wallpaper to soften and lose the stubborn glue that helps in safe removal.

Step 4 - Solution Application

Solution Application to remove wallpaper

Begin with the first panel and one section at a time
Soak the solution in a sponge or damped cloth and apply it on the first section.
Let the solution rest for 15 -20 minutes allowing it to penetrate the strong adhesion.

Step 5 - Peel off the Wallpaper

Peel off the Wallpaper to remove from drywall

With the help of a wallpaper scraper or spatula, remove stubborn wallpaper gently and lift it from the edge in small sections. Stripping wallpaper from drywall then becomes easier and less complicated.
When facing difficulty in peeling off the wallpaper, apply the solution again and let it sit for 30 minutes before removal.

Step 6 - Remove the sticky residues

Remove the sticky residue to remove wallpaper from drywall

With the leftover solution of the removal mix, you can remove the messy residues of the glue on the wall and make it clean again.
Wipe it out using a sponge or damp cloth and use vinegar solution if the mess gets stubborn.
You can gently scrub the wall if needed to ensure the residues are gone completely.

Step 7 - Enjoy Your Plain Dry Wall Again

Let the wall dry and check if any patches of adhesives are left after peeling wallpaper off drywall.
Check for gouges or holes if any and fill them with putty before painting or reapplying new wallpaper.

Some FAQs related to safe wallpaper removal

How to remove wallpaper without damaging drywall?

A liquid stripper like homemade solution(as mentioned above) is the safest removal tool without damaging the wall. You can use dish soap, vinegar, and fabric softer to lose the tough glue, that leaves the wall safe and clean.

What is the easiest way to remove wallpaper from drywall?

A wallpaper steamer is the quickest and most effective way to remove stubborn wallpaper from the wall, but has its shortcomings. Inappropriate exposure to the steam can lead to cracks, gouges, and damage to the wall permanently.

Can you paint over wallpaper on drywall?

Yes! You can paint over wallpaper on drywall but with an expert’s vision.

Look for any peeling, loose, torn, and damaged wallpaper sections and fix them before painting them. Ensure the wallpaper is even and clean to have a smooth finish and long-lasting charm.

How to prepare drywall after wallpaper removal?

Take a sponge and soak it in the mixture of warm water and fabric softener in equal measures. Apply directly on the wall and rinse sticky patches of the leftover glue. Your drywall is now prepared for a fresh new beginning.

Steam vs chemical wallpaper removal which one is better?

In the debate of Steam vs chemical wallpaper removal, both have different roles to play:-

Steam Removal: It's the quickest but not the safest. The steam softens the stubborn glue with the heat but damages the wall when used inappropriately. Use a balanced amount of steam to avoid cracks, plaster, and gouges on the wall.

Chemical removal: Here the chemical refers to gels, homemade solutions, and wallpaper remover, that dissolves with the glue and loosens it. It's comparatively safer than steaming the wallpaper for its wall safe measures and easy application.

Solution for removing wallpaper from Drywall

Conclusion

Modern advancements helped us ease our difficulties and challenges. With a little research, you can redesign your home by lifting out the previous wallpaper you thought was permanent. Analyse and see which alternative suits you the most and see the pros-cons of each. We at Giffywalls, wish you all the best for your wallpaper removal project!.