Wallpaper Strippers & Steamers

Steam wallpaper strippers at MTN Shop UK

Stripping wallpaper by hand is one of the slowest, most frustrating jobs in decorating - scraping dry paper off inch by inch, gouging the plaster, and still leaving stubborn patches behind. A steam wallpaper stripper does the work for you: it heats water into steam, delivers it through a plate held against the wall, and the steam softens the paste so the paper peels away cleanly with a scraper. What took an afternoon by hand takes a fraction of the time, with far less damage to the plaster underneath. This collection brings together mains-powered steam strippers built for whole-room and repeat professional use.

How a steam wallpaper stripper works

A steam stripper has a water reservoir, a heating element and a steam plate connected by a hose. You fill the tank, switch on, and the element boils the water to produce steam that travels down the hose to the plate. Holding the plate flat against the wallpaper for a few seconds lets the steam penetrate the paper and soften the paste holding it to the wall. You then lift the plate and scrape that section away with a stripping knife while it is still soft, moving the plate onto the next section as you go - steaming one area while you scrape the last. Because the paste is softened rather than forced, the paper comes away cleanly and the plaster beneath is far less likely to be gouged.

What to look for

• Wattage: higher wattage heats the water faster and sustains stronger steam output. The Wagner SteamForce and SteamForce Plus (2000W) and Black+Decker KX3300T (2400W) all carry enough power for continuous room work.
• Water tank capacity: a larger tank means longer stripping between refills - important for big rooms, so you are not constantly stopping to top up.
• Heat-up time: more powerful units reach steam faster, getting you working sooner.
• Steam plate size: a larger plate covers more wall per press for speed; some kits include a smaller plate for detail and awkward areas.
• Hose length and build: a good hose reach lets you work up walls and around a room without moving the unit constantly, and rugged construction stands up to repeated professional use.

How to strip wallpaper with a steamer

• Prepare the room: clear or sheet up furniture and cover the floor - wet paper and drips make a mess. Turn off and protect nearby electrics.
• Score the paper first: for painted, vinyl or heavy papers, scoring the surface with a scorer lets the steam get through to the paste underneath.
• Steam in sections: hold the plate on one area for a few seconds, then move to the next while you scrape the softened section - keep a steady rhythm across the wall.
• Scrape with the grain of the plaster: use a broad stripping knife at a shallow angle to avoid digging into the plaster.
• Wash down afterwards: remove residual paste with warm water and a sponge before repapering or painting, and let the wall dry fully.

Applications and users

Steam strippers are essential kit for anyone removing wallpaper: professional decorators preparing rooms for repapering or painting, property renovators and landlords clearing dated paper from multiple rooms, and DIY users redecorating at home. They handle standard wallpaper, painted paper, woodchip and vinyl (with scoring), and are far quicker across large areas than chemical strippers or dry scraping. For occasional single-wall jobs a chemical stripper may suffice, but for whole rooms and repeat work a steam stripper saves hours.

Safety

• Hot water and steam burns: the water, tank and steam plate become very hot and the steam can scald - wear gloves, keep the plate away from your skin, and take care when handling and refilling the hot reservoir.
• Let it cool before refilling: release pressure and allow the unit to cool as directed before topping up the tank, to avoid a burst of hot water or steam.
• Protect electrics: steam and water and electricity do not mix - switch off and cover sockets and switches near the work, and avoid steaming directly over electrical fittings.
• Ventilate: steam raises humidity in the room - open windows to let moisture escape and help the walls dry.
• Watch overhead work: steaming ceilings drips hot condensation - wear eye protection and keep your face clear.
• Never leave unattended: switch off and unplug when not in use, and do not let the unit boil dry.

Care and maintenance

• Empty after use: drain the tank once cooled so water does not sit inside between jobs.
• Descale in hard-water areas: limescale reduces steam output over time - descale periodically as the manufacturer advises.
• Store dry: let the unit dry before storing, and keep the hose free of kinks.

Related categories

This collection sits within our wider powered decorating tools range, alongside paint sprayers and powered caulking guns. For paints, fillers and finishes to use once the wall is stripped, see our paint and decorating range, and for scrapers, filler, sponges and prep materials see decorating sundries. For sealant and filler application, see caulking and sealant guns. Browse by brand at Wagner and Black+Decker.

For trade orders, decorating contractor kits, or advice on choosing a steam stripper for larger jobs, request a quote and our team will get back to you with availability.