How to Use a Wallpaper Steamer

With interior trends coming in and out of fashion so quickly, you might find that the wallpaper in your home looks a bit dated and in need of a refresh. But how do you successfully remove it ready for a new print or paintjob? A wallpaper steamer is your best bet at tackling existing wallpaper quickly and with less effort. We’ve broken down how they work and how to use them effectively.

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To strip wallpaper with a wallpaper steamer, hold the steamer plate on the wallpaper for up to 30 seconds, then gently use a scraper to remove the damp paper. Once removed, clean the wall with soapy water or sugar soap to remove any residue.
A wallpaper steamer uses steam to break down old wallpaper paste, making it easier to remove wallpaper.
Before removing wallpaper, move furniture, cover floors and sockets, and score non-porous wallpaper types like vinyl to help the steam penetrate.

What is a wallpaper steamer?

A wallpaper steamer breaks down old wallpaper paste using steam in a process called ‘hydrolysis’. This then makes the paper easier to take off the wall, ready for new wallpaper or a lick of paint. The machine works by you filling up the water reservoir, which will be heated up and turned into steam.

The steam then comes out of a nozzle in the flat plate, which when pressed against the wall, distributes the steam evenly across the wallpaper. Steamers work with most types of wallpaper, but if you’re stripping a plasterboard wall, it may be best to manually scrape the wall instead as excessive steam can cause the plaster to soften.

How to strip wallpaper with a steamer

We’ve outlined a quick step-by-step guide to stripping your wallpaper with a steamer.

Before you start steaming, move any furniture into the centre of the room so you can easily approach each wall. You’ll also want to cover everything and anything – including the floor – with dust sheets, as this can be a bit of a messy job. As you’ll be working with steam, it’s also important to cover plug sockets, lights, and switches with masking tape to prevent any hazards due to the moisture. Lastly, remove any hooks or nails from the wall.

Different wallpapers take to steaming in different ways. If you’ve got wallpaper made of a porous material (e.g. flock, embossed, or painted woodchip), steaming should work well. If your wallpaper is vinyl or painted, steam won’t be able to tackle it. In this case you’ll need to score the paper, making sure not to damage the wall while doing so. You can do this with a craft knife or with a specially designed wallpaper scorer.

A water steamer is really easy to set up. Just fill up the reservoir, plug it in, and once the water has boiled, you’ll have steam. As you’re doing this, make sure the steamer is laid flat. Now you can get started.

Starting at the top or bottom of your wall, hold the steam plate onto the wallpaper for no longer than 30 seconds. You may need to experiment to find the right amount of time to hold the plate onto the specific wallpaper. Too short and the paper won’t move, too long and you could cause damage to the plasterboard (if that’s what it’s attached to). Once you’ve waited for the right amount of time, your wallpaper should start to lift.

Use a scraper to get underneath the damp wallpaper, making sure it’s flat so you don’t damage the wall. If it’s still difficult to pull away, place the steamer back onto the paper, but don’t leave it there for too long.

TOP TIP: It’s best to remove large pieces when possible as this will save time and clean-up.

Many wallpaper steamers come with a smaller plate that can be helpful when you’re dealing with smaller, hard-to-reach areas. Use this plate when you’re working around light switches or plug sockets. Remember to be careful around electrics as steam creates moisture.

Please note, if removing wallpaper from the ceiling, avoid holding the plate directly above your head as boiling water may seep out the plate. It’s also a good idea to wear long sleeves, gloves, and eye protection.

TOP TIP: Tidy as you go as the paper can stick to itself and to your dustsheets when it dries, making clean-up much longer.

Once you’ve removed your wallpaper, use a stiff broom to scrape off any small pieces of wallpaper that remain. If there are any really stubborn pieces, you may need to use a chemical stripper. To remove any residue left on the wall, soap and warm water should do the trick.

All it takes is some steam and a little bit of elbow grease, and you’ve now got a blank canvas where you can let your imagination run free. Thinking of trying something new on your now-stripped walls? Panelling is very on-trend right now and we’ve put together a few wall panelling ideas for some inspiration.

FAQs

Yes, a wallpaper steamer can be used to remove paint. They work by penetrating underneath the paint layer and loosening it from the wall. Wallpaper steamers are a particularly good option for textured walls and difficult areas where sanding and scraping might be more difficult.

Depending on the brand, a wallpaper steamer can take between 10 to 15 minutes to heat up enough to produce steam.

When descaling a wallpaper steamer, unplug it, empty the tank, and check the manufacturer's instructions to see what they recommend. If you can’t find any recommendations, use a commercially available descaler, or a mixture of water and vinegar and let it sit for around 30 minutes. Lastly, rinse the steamer with clean water before you next use it.