Never hang new coverings over existing wallpaper – the old may lift and bring the new with it.
Ordinary wallpaper:
• use hot water with washing-up liquid or proprietary wallpaper stripper to soak the surface
• scrape off old paper in strips with broadbladed scraper, re-soaking stubborn areas; wash surface down to remove bits
Washable or painted wallpaper:
• always score surface coating with serrated scraper before soaking and scraping • for large areas a steam stripper (from hire shops) is a real time-saver
Vinyl wallcovering:
• lift corner of vinyl coating at skirting board level and peel away from backing paper by pulling steadily up and away
• then soak and scrape off backing paper
WHERE TO START
Room with a chimney breast: start at its centre and work outward to each end of the chimney wall, then on down the two side walls towards the door. Any loss of pattern will be least noticed in the short lengths hung over the door.
Room without a chimney breast: start at one corner of the room – ideally near the door – and work around continuously until you return to your starting point.