Wallpaper Removal Guide
How to remove your wallpaper cleanly, safely, and without damaging your walls — including the honest truth about rental properties.
The Honest Truth About Wallpaper Removal
Our wallpaper uses a water-based, removable adhesive designed to release cleanly from properly prepared, fully cured walls. In the vast majority of cases, removal is clean and straightforward. However, there is one situation where paint damage can occur — and it is important to understand it before you start.
In rental properties especially, walls are frequently repainted between tenancies as a quick cosmetic refresh. The new paint is rolled over the existing layers without sanding back, without primer, and without a proper two-coat system. Over time — sometimes after just one or two repaints — the paint layers stop bonding properly to each other or to the underlying plaster.
The paint looks perfectly fine on the surface. You cannot see the problem. But when anything with adhesive is removed — including peel and stick wallpaper, even the gentlest kind — it can pull the top layer of paint away with it, because that layer was never properly bonded to begin with.
This is a pre-existing wall failure, not a product defect. The same thing would happen with any sticker, tape, or adhesive product on that wall. The wallpaper simply reveals a problem that was already there.
How to Remove Your Wallpaper
Follow these steps carefully. The most important rule is: slow and warm beats fast and cold every time.
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1
Warm the Edge First — Always
Use a hairdryer on the lowest heat setting to warm a 10–15cm section of the panel edge for 30–60 seconds before you begin peeling. This softens the adhesive and significantly reduces the tension placed on the paint surface during removal. Never skip this step.
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2
Lift the Corner Gently
Once the edge is warm, use your fingernail or a flat plastic tool to gently lift the corner. Do not use a metal scraper or anything sharp — this can damage both the wallpaper and the wall surface.
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3
Peel at a Very Low Angle
This is the most critical technique. Peel the panel back at a very low angle — as close to flat against the wall as possible (approximately 15–20°). Never pull the panel outward at a sharp angle — this puts maximum stress on the paint and is the most common cause of paint lifting. Think "peel back along the wall", not "pull away from the wall".
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4
Work in Small Sections — Warm, Peel, Repeat
Do not try to remove the entire panel in one pull. Warm 10–15cm, peel 10–15cm, warm again, peel again. Work your way down the panel in small increments. This keeps the adhesive soft throughout the removal process.
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5
Inspect the Wall as You Go
After peeling each section, glance at the wall surface. If you see any paint beginning to lift or hear a crackling sound, stop immediately. Apply more heat to that area and allow it to warm for a full 60 seconds before continuing very slowly.
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6
Clean Any Residue
In the rare event that any adhesive residue remains on the wall, dampen a clean cloth with warm water and gently rub the area in a circular motion. The water-based adhesive dissolves easily with moisture. Do not use chemical solvents.
The single biggest predictor of a clean removal is patience. Customers who rush — pulling panels quickly at sharp angles without heat — account for the vast majority of paint damage cases. Customers who warm each section and peel slowly almost always achieve a clean result, even on older rental walls.
Renter's Removal Checklist
Moving out of a rental? Follow this checklist to give yourself the best possible chance of a clean removal and a full bond return.
- Photograph the wall before you start — document the current state of the wall surface before touching the wallpaper. This is your protection if any pre-existing paint issues are discovered.
- Remove during daylight — good lighting helps you see the wall surface clearly as you work and spot any issues early.
- Use a hairdryer on every single panel — no exceptions. Even if the first few panels come off easily without heat, keep using it throughout.
- Peel at 15–20° angle, never outward — this is the most important technique for minimising paint stress.
- Work slowly — allow 20–30 minutes per panel — rushing is the primary cause of paint damage.
- If paint lifts, stop and apply more heat — do not continue pulling if you see or hear paint lifting. More heat and more patience is always the answer.
- Clean any residue with warm water — wipe the wall down with a damp cloth after removal to remove any adhesive trace.
- Photograph the wall after removal — document the final state of the wall for your records.
If paint lifts during removal, it is almost always a sign of pre-existing paint adhesion failure — not a product defect. The paint was not properly bonded to the wall before the wallpaper was applied. In Australian tenancy law, damage caused by pre-existing defects is generally not considered tenant damage. Document everything with photographs and contact your property manager calmly and factually.
If you are concerned about your walls before installing, our $8 sample test is the most reliable way to check adhesion before committing to a full order.
Moving soon? Test your walls with a sample before installing a full wall.
Order a Sample — $8 →Need More Help?
Our team is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm AEST. We are happy to guide you through removal for your specific wall situation.