Hanging non-woven wallpaper – key points, instructions and helpful tips

Anyone looking to hang non-woven wallpaper will find the process particularly user-friendly, making it suitable even for beginners. To ensure the job is done successfully and the result is impressive, it all comes down to proper preparation, the right tools and a few key techniques.

Advantages and special features of non-woven wallpaper

When hanging non-woven wallpaper, there are a few special features that set it apart from other types of wallpaper. The biggest advantage: the wallpaper is applied dry, as the paste is applied directly to the wall. This eliminates the soaking time, and the strips are easier to move and adjust. Non-woven wallpapers are also dimensionally stable and hardly tear, which makes them easier to hang. However, it is important to apply the paste evenly and ensure a smooth surface, as any unevenness can quickly show through the wallpaper.

Before hanging new non-woven wallpaper: removing the old wallpaper

Before hanging non-woven wallpaper, you must remove the old wallpaper. Removing non-woven wallpaper is usually straightforward, as it can generally be peeled off the wall dry and in whole strips. Start at a corner and peel the wallpaper off slowly and evenly from top to bottom. If it only comes away in patches, you can gently help it along with a scraper. In rare cases, such as with strongly adhesive paste, the wall can be lightly dampened with warm water.

Thicker or water-repellent wallpapers are often difficult to remove. In such cases, it is advisable to perforate the surface with a spiked roller (also known as a wallpaper spiker or spiked roller). This allows the wallpaper remover to penetrate more effectively and makes the wallpaper easier to peel off – an important step before applying new non-woven wallpaper.

Proper preparation before applying non-woven wallpaper

Before you start hanging non-woven wallpaper, it’s worth doing a quick check to ensure the wall is truly ready:

Is the wall completely dry? If water or wallpaper remover was used when removing the old wallpaper, the wall should be left to dry for at least 12 hours to ensure good adhesion.
Have all traces of old wallpaper been removed? Non-woven wallpaper will only adhere reliably and smoothly to a clean surface.
Does the wall have any cracks, mould or holes? Such defects must be rectified before wallpapering – this ensures a long-lasting and neat finish.
Is the surface smooth and even? Non-woven wallpaper, in particular, is unforgiving. If necessary, any uneven areas should be filled and sanded to prevent visible seams or bubbling.
Has the wall been primed? A suitable primer ensures even absorbency, improves adhesion and makes it easier to remove the non-woven wallpaper later.

Materials for hanging non-woven wallpaper

To hang non-woven wallpaper, you will need a few basic tools to ensure the job is done cleanly and efficiently. The most important material is a special non-woven wallpaper paste, which is applied directly to the wall – not to the wallpaper. A paste roller or a wide brush is suitable for application. A bucket for mixing the paste and a mixing stick are also necessary.

For cutting the wallpaper strips to size, it is best to use a craft knife and a steel ruler. When hanging the wallpaper, a wallpapering brush or a soft wallpapering spatula is ideal for smoothing out air bubbles. A seam roller helps to fix the joins discreetly. To ensure the first strip is straight, you should mark a guide line using a spirit level or plumb line. Although a pasting table is not strictly necessary for non-woven wallpaper, it can still be helpful when cutting to size.

Hanging non-woven wallpaper – how to achieve a professional result

Non-woven wallpaper is considered particularly user-friendly, even for beginners – provided you work carefully and follow a few basic rules. The biggest advantage of non-woven wallpaper is that it does not need to be pasted. Instead, you apply the paste to the wall – this saves time, prevents drips and makes handling much easier.

Here’s how to hang non-woven wallpaper step by step:

Start by measuring the room height and cutting the wallpaper strips with an overlap of about 5–10 cm. .
Use a plumb line or spirit level to draw a vertical guide line for the first strip – this ensures the wallpaper hangs perfectly straight.
Apply the non-woven wallpaper paste evenly directly to the wall using a roller or paste brush – only covering the area for one strip at a time to prevent the paste from drying out.
Place the cut strip of wallpaper at the top of the wall and press it down carefully.
Work your way outwards from the centre using a wallpapering brush to avoid air bubbles.
Ensure that the strips are joined edge to edge, but do not overlap. Use a seam roller to press the joins firmly.
Trim any excess material at the ceiling or skirting board using a sharp craft knife along a scraper or ruler.
Remove any paste residue immediately with a damp cloth and allow sufficient drying time.

Hanging non-woven wallpaper in tricky areas

When hanging non-woven wallpaper, there are a few areas that require special attention. Window reveals should be wallpapered with a slight overlap and then cut to size precisely. Light switches and sockets must be disconnected from the mains and the covers removed before wallpapering. The wallpaper is hung over them and carefully cut around the recesses using a craft knife. Working behind radiators is often restricted – narrow pressure rollers or special wallpapering brushes with long handles are helpful here. When wallpapering ceilings, teamwork is recommended: one person holds the strip, the other aligns it and smooths it down neatly.

Disposing of non-woven wallpaper scraps correctly

When hanging non-woven wallpaper, scraps or later entire strips of wallpaper often remain that need to be disposed of. Even though non-woven wallpapers look similar to paper, they do not belong in the paper recycling bin as they contain synthetic fibres and paste residues. Both cut-off scraps and pieces of wallpaper that have been peeled off must therefore be disposed of as general waste. Make sure to pack larger quantities in a space-saving manner and do not leave any damp paste residues exposed. This ensures clean and environmentally friendly disposal.