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Traditional Method

The traditional method of wallpaper stripping is to wet wallpaper with a cloth or sponge and then scrape it off with a wallpaper scraper or similar tool. This is a time-consuming and laborious task, but it can be made easier by using a few simple techniques.

It is useful to score or perforate the wallpaper before dampening. This allows any water applied to penetrate the wallpaper more easily, thus reducing the effort needed to remove it. Specialist tools are available for this (such as the mini and maxi Stanley Orbital Wallpaper Scorers), but a craft knife or Stanley knife can be used if necessary, though this should be done with care to prevent damage to the plaster underneath.

When applying water to the paper it is best to use warm soapy water, and to dampen from the top of the wall down, as the dry paper underneath can absorb any excess liquid. It is also advisable to wet the wallpaper to be stripped twice. An initial all-over coat of water starts the dampening process, and then another coat can be applied as each section of wall is stripped. This lessens the chance of any stubborn dry patches remaining.

Vinyl wallpaper should be able to be removed more easily, simply peeling away from a corner. It is likely that adhesive will be left on the wall, so this should be removed using soapy water or an appropriate detergent.

Steam Wallpaper Strippers

Steam wallpaper strippers save much of the time and trouble involved in stripping wallpaper, not to mention much of the mess resulting from the use of a sponge and bucket of soapy water. They are simple in design and operation, consisting of a water tank linked to a steam plate via a hose. When the water in tank is heated to a sufficient temperature steam goes through the hose to the steam plate, which is pressed to the wallpaper. Using a steam wallpaper stripper is a much more efficient and less labour intensive method of wallpaper stripping than using a sponge or cloth and soap and water, but it should be remembered to take care when using wallpaper steamers as the hot steam can cause burns if the steam plate is held near or on the skin. In addition, it is recommended that safety goggles should be worn to reduce the possibility of eye injury.

What To Look For In A Steam Stripper

Depending on their level of expertise and the amount of times they will use a steam wallpaper stripper, users should look for different things when purchasing them. For the occasional user a basic model is quite acceptable, perhaps even preferable: such models are often very simple in design, and have the benefit of being lightweight and more easily carried. For the professional or more serious amateur user, a number of questions should be asked to ascertain the suitability of the steam stripper being assessed. How big a water tank is needed? Generally, a bigger water tank will mean less need to refill during big jobs, but it can mean the steam wallpaper stripper is cumbersome. How long is the hose? If work is being done on high-ceilinged rooms, the hose will need to accommodate this or the steamer will have to be raised on a platform: this can cause accidents. Is a stripper needed with additional features such as the ability to remove Artex as well as wallpaper? If so this should be checked before purchase. The professional user is advised to purchase one of the recognised brands of steam wallpaper stripper (such as Earlex, Draper, Black and Decker, Bosch or Wagner), as these are much more likely to have the capacity for heavy duty usage and additional features required.

Chemical Wallpaper Strippers

Another option for stripping wallpaper is to use chemical wallpaper strippers, such as those provided by Wallwik. With such wallpaper removal systems, specially treated chemical sheets are placed on the wallpaper, and after keeping moist for a short time the sheets can be peeled off, the wallpaper coming away easily with them.

There is also a chemical treatment that can be used to speed along the traditional method of wallpaper stripping. Liquids and foams provided by companies such as Polycell and Solvite are applied to the wallpaper and have the action of destroying the adhesive that bonds the wallpaper to the wall, allowing it to be removed easier than with soap and water.

Extreme care should be taken if chemical agents are used to strip wallpaper: the manufacturer’s instructions and safety advice should always be read before use to prevent the possibility of injury.

Useful Tips

When stripping wallpaper, make sure all floors and furniture left in the room are suitably covered. Adequate ventilation should be provided by the opening of all windows, and internal doors should be closed to ensure any debris is kept inside the room being worked on. Protective clothing should be worn (i.e. protective goggles, cap and overalls), and non-professionals should make time to rest every so often. The traditional method of wallpaper stripping especially is hard work, more so when a large room has to be stripped.