How to use a Wallpaper Stripper

If you read my post ona few painting tips, you may want to also check out this article on how to use a wallpaper stripper. A  wallpaper stripper allows you to remove wallpaper from most surfaces by applying steam directly to the area which loosens the paste, which holds the paper to the wall. Without a stripper, removing the wallpaper will be very labour intensive job!

Here are a few ways in which a stripper can be used, to save both time and effort in your DIY work:

• Assess the scale of the job; if you a removing you a few pieces of paper, this may not warrant getting a wallpaper stripper. Larger rooms however would make this worthwhile. There may also be health implications for using a steam generating device, if you suffer from respiratory problems for example.

• If you decide to go with a wallpaper stripper, give yourself a headstart and buy a wallpaper scoring tool. This penetrates the paper, making steam the more effective. This also has the benefit of making the paper easier to peel off and softer.

Setting up the Wallpaper Stripper:

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions before turning the machine on! (notice I will always recommend this – it makes sense doesn’t it?)

Usually the steamer has a water tank attached – fill that up and plug the machine in. The machine will heat up and start generating steam when pressed against the wall.

Techniques:

Hold the steamer head directly against the wallpaper and pull the trigger (or whatever it needs to eject steam).  Hold

An example of a wallpaper stripper. The large head attachment directs the steam onto to the paper.

the head firmly and keep steaming the wallpaper for a good 10 seconds or so until the paper starts to soften, and the paste starts melting.

I always like to combine using the wallpaper stripper with a flat scraping tool to lift off the wall paper. Some forms of paper will literally fall off the walls or take next to no effort at all to peel away.

Some wallpaper types ie: woodchip wallpaper (perhaps the most evil creation known to man) is extremely stubborn to lift off the walls, even with a steamer – so persistence is the key here.

Safety:

The wall paper steamer is a great tool to use to speed things up when redecorating a room, but be extremely careful. Steam is hotter than boiling water don’t forget – so wear gloves and a long sleeved shirt for added safety. Steam burns can be very serious if you don’t watch out!

Good luck and get to work!