Best Wallpaper Removers That Are Totally Worth Your Money
Have you ever found yourself running away from the mere idea of a makeover just because you have old, dingy wallpaper that will be a pain to remove? Well, you do not have to worry about that anymore because we have a list of the best wallpaper removers of 2023 for you. Now not only can you put up all the nice wallpapers you keep seeing on Pinterest, but you can also remove them when you’re ready for a change and go for something new. Sounds like the ultimate solution, doesn’t it?
And to save you the trouble of having to go to the store with no idea of what to buy, we have an evaluated list of the best wallpaper removers that you can find on the market right now. Not just that, we also have a detailed buying guide to assist you in deciding which wallpaper removing tool is the best one for your space.
The Best Wallpaper Removers of 2023 Reviewed in Detail
Rust-Oleum Wallpaper Remover
– Top Pick
First on our list is a product that claims to add great value. And we pretty much agree with that statement. It’s a concentrated liquid wallpaper stripper that comes in the solvent form and takes away any stubborn wallpaper that refuses to leave your wall. It has a unique patented enzyme-action formula that is powerful enough to not only remove the wallpaper but also take down the sticky residue, leaving you with a fresh canvas, ready to be adorned again. All you need is a weapon of your choice; a sprayer, sponge, or roller and you’re ready!
- Easy to apply
- Removes residue
- Can be stored for long term use
- Does not work on vinyl wallpaper
Tarvol Wallpaper Remover
– Runner Up
If you’re looking for something heavy duty then this wallpaper removing putty knife might be the tool for you. Perfect for spackling, spreading, scraping walls, floors, tiles and more, this putty knife is every handyman’s partner. It comes with a 4” carbon strength steel blade with a beautiful mirrored polished finish. Designed with the perfect amount of flex, it is strong, durable and versatile, all in one! With its soft rubberized ergonomic handle providing resistance to muscle fatigue, you can say goodbye to hand cramps and say hello to fresh walls!
- Cheap and gets the job done
- Durable and versatile so can be used for all kinds of projects
- A strong blade that will remove the most stubborn wallpaper
- Can be tedious when covering big spaces
Heleman Wallpaper Remover
– Honorable Mention
Much like the putty knife, this scraper is the ideal tool for scraping all the unwanted materials away. Although it is built from plastic, it has a razor blade that is sharp enough to remove stubborn residue. Then what is the plastic for? Well, we’re glad you asked. It is to keep you away from getting hurt by the sharp blades, making this tool extremely easy and safe to use! With the razor-sharp enough to easily and deeply scratch any kind of surface, this is a great little tool that will make your cleaning easy. With a comfortable design that provides for greater control, you are bound to complete the work with a reduced amount of effort.
- Easy to carry and multi-purpose
- Safe to use, even with a sharp blade
- Strong and durable design
- Plastic material might break
Zinsser Wallpaper Remover
– Also Consider
You might think this is a small tool but wait until you see what it does. A must-have tool for anyone looking to makeover their space, this triple head wallpaper remover can score, tear and lift small bits of paper away from the wall so your wallpaper stripper can easily penetrate and loosen any stubborn adhesive that has taken a liking to your wall. If you have multiple layers of wallpaper then you need this tool to cut through the layers without damaging the wall at all. With a comfortable handle that is also easy to control, you can easily score an entire room in minutes, regardless of the type of wallpaper it is.
- Eliminates the need for steamers
- Time-saving
- Easy to use and control
- Cannot be used on its own
The Bates paint scraper and taping knife all-in-1 have managed to restore our faith in wallpaper removers. Not only can it get the job done but it leaves the wall with a superior finish. Anyone using this to scrape the wallpaper of their wall is going to love repairing and refinishing jobs because of how easy this tool can make it.
Don’t get us wrong, the Bates paint scraper is a great wallpaper removing tool but its skills go further than just wallpaper removing. It can also be used as a screwdriver, paint can opener, hammer, crown molding remover, putty knife, box opener, and more, easily replacing multiple hand tools in your toolbox.
- Soft and comfortable grip designed to last for long jobs
- Multi-purpose and flexible
- Rust-resistant and durable steel blade
- Sharp blades can be unsafe to use
This wallpaper steamer is a chemical-free wallpaper remover that doesn’t even require you to spend long hours rigorously scraping away wallpaper. All you have to do is just add distilled water to this machine and you’ll have yourself a natural and environmentally friendly way to remove old and outdated wallpaper. With no chemicals being used or any sharp blades, this is the safest option for you to try, especially if you have kids or people with serious illnesses around.
You might be wondering, how does the steamer actually help in removing the wallpaper? Well, it’s quite a simple process. The steam from the cleaner softens the adhesive backing which allows for easy wallpaper stripping without having to compromise on your health or go through intensive labor.
- Extremely easy to use and time-efficient
- Comes with two steam plates of different sizes
- Long run time
- Lightweight and portable
- Will need a power outlet nearby
A product that claims to be the “World’s Best Wallpaper Stripper” has got to be good at its job, right? Well if we’re talking about the WP Chomp one then it’s true. With a formula that is ready to use without requiring any mixing, all you have to do is simply spray where you want the wallpaper to come off and that’s it. Just sit back and enjoy the peeling that will soon follow. With this, it doesn’t matter what your wallpaper material is, whether it is vinyl, strippable, grass, removable, etc, this can penetrate through the small slits made into the paper with a scoring tool and peel off the wall with all the leftover residue.
- Easy to apply
- Fast acting
- Mild citrus scent that will leave a pleasant smell in your home
- Safe to use
- Cannot be used on its own
Buying Guide for the Best Wallpaper Remover
The first step to transforming any old and boring wall is to shed the already existing dingy layers; and for that, you need the perfect wallpaper remover. While buying one is not a difficult task as long as you know what exactly you need, there are a few factors you should keep in mind before purchasing wallpaper remover. This will make your entire shopping and wallpaper removal experience easier. Once you have that in the bag, you’ll be well equipped to buy the wallpaper-removing tool that is best suited to your needs. Let’s explore further!
Types of Wallpaper Removers
If this is your first time diving into the world of wallpaper removers then you might be surprised to know there is more than one type of wallpaper removing tool available online with each serving a different purpose. While some wallpaper, like temporary wallpaper, doesn’t require as much manpower to remove, there are a few stubborn ones that need more elbow grease.
Depending on the type of wallpaper you have on the wall, you might need to use multiple tools individually, or a combination of them, including solvents, scorers, scrapers, and steamers.
- Solvents: This helps breaks down the adhesive glue that is underneath the wallpaper, after which the wallpaper can easily peel off and you can scrape the coverings away. Solvents usually come in sprays and gels and are generally easy to use.
- Scrapers: These are tools that are useful when paired with any kind of wallpaper removal method. With a thin scraping edge that can peel away wallpaper and leftover residue, these are generally never used on their own.
- Scorers: Helpful when needed to leave tiny incisions in the wallpaper so that the solution can penetrate and saturate the adhesive, scorers also work great when paired up with solvents and gels!
- Steamers: Generating hot steam that works to soften the wallpaper adhesive and naturally peel off, using steamers is the most effective way of breaking down the glue of the wallpapers. This makes them an excellent pick for wallpapers that are old and stubborn. However, they are the priciest option of them all.
Safety
Whenever you decide to tackle wallpaper removal, you should know that it doesn’t come without risks. If you use a chemical solvent then there is always a risk of irritation so make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions and wear protective equipment like protective eyewear and gloves.
Moreover, when using steamers, keep in mind that they can create very hot steam and can even drip boiling water. So it would always be wise to follow the directions to prevent any burns or other injuries. As an extra safety precaution, it is always a good idea to wear gloves and other equipment. Once steaming the wallpaper, be careful to use a scraper and not your hands as the wallpaper can be very hot.
While tools like scrapers and scorers are generally safe, they do have sharp blades that can cause a lot of damage if not careful. Hence, look for tools that have comfortable and easy-to-use handles so you don’t accidentally drop them, much like the ones we have included in our list.
Capacity and Convenience
When using a liquid solution, the best tools to apply the solvent are a spray bottle, paint roller, or a cellulose sponge. With a spray bottle or a paint roller, you can easily cover larger areas of wallpaper and ensure an even application while a sponge can be an excellent pick for tackling tight corners.
Wallpaper steamers come with a built-in water tank that can hold 1 to 4 liters of water, which means the larger the capacity, the longer the steamer is likely to work before requiring refilling. But beware, a large tank also means a heavier steamer that will be more unwieldy to move and store.
Not just the tank but the steamer hose length and steam plate size also say a lot about convenience. A longer hose means more reach so you can cover a larger area without having to move the steamer. And for added convenience, larger steam plates cover more area whereas smaller ones are better suited for tight spaces.
Wallpaper Remover FAQ
A: When choosing the ideal way to remove old wallpaper, it is important to first determine the type of wallpaper it is. While temporary wallpaper can be tackled with just a scorer, water resistant or vinyl wallpapers require much more manpower like steamers and solvents.
A: While it is possible to remove wallpaper with a fabric softener or vinegar, it is best to use solvents that have been specifically formulated for the task.
A: Wallpaper removers don’t generally have an expiration date. However, like most household products, some ingredients might degrade over time so make sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for storing the wallpaper remover.
