How to Remove a Toilet Paper Holder Without Damaging the Wall

You might be struggling with a wobbly or outdated toilet paper holder that just doesn’t belong in your bathroom anymore. It can feel frustrating trying to figure out how to remove it without cracking your wall or hurting yourself. But don’t worry. In this article, you’ll get the exact, simple way to remove a toilet paper holder even if you’ve never done it before.

Look at How Your Holder Is Attached

Before doing anything, you need to look closely at how the toilet paper holder is fixed to the wall. This is a small but very important thing. Some holders are attached with screws, and others are glued or even built into the wall. If you don’t know what kind you have, you might pull too hard or use the wrong tool and make a big hole or scratch in your bathroom.

First, check both sides of the holder. If you see small round or square plates, try to feel around them for little screws. These screws are sometimes hidden underneath or behind the bar that holds the toilet paper. Use your fingers or a flashlight if the bathroom is dark. Sometimes, the screws might have small covers over them. You can pop these off using your fingernail or a flat screwdriver.

Now, if you don’t see any screws, try gently wiggling the holder. If it feels super tight and doesn’t move at all, it may be glued or built into the wall. Ceramic or built-in holders are usually part of the tile or drywall. You have to be very careful with those, because they can crack tiles or rip drywall if pulled too hard.

If the holder is mounted with adhesive (you may see some sticky parts around the base), it may come off by warming up the glue with a hair dryer. Adhesive ones are newer and popular because they don’t need drilling.

Always remember, finding out how it is attached helps you avoid damage. So don’t rush this part.

• Look for small screws or hidden fasteners on both sides
• Feel and move the holder gently to check if it’s glued or built in
• Use a flashlight or mirror if it’s hard to see
• Don’t yank or pull before knowing how it’s fixed

Take Off Any Covers or Caps

Now that you know how your toilet paper holder is attached, the next thing is removing the covers or caps that hide the screws or glue. These small pieces may seem simple, but they protect the real parts holding the holder to the wall.

If you saw tiny covers on the ends of your holder earlier, take a flat-head screwdriver or even a butter knife and gently push under the edge of the cover. Wiggle it slowly. You don’t want to scratch your wall or break the cover in case you want to use it again. These caps usually snap off easily, but older holders might be a bit tighter.

Some covers are twistable, so try turning them slightly before pulling. If nothing happens, go back to gently prying. If your toilet paper holder has a bar that pops off, removing that first can make it easier to reach behind the holder to get to the screws or fasteners.

Now, if your holder doesn’t have any covers and is glued, then you won’t see anything to pop off. In that case, skip this step and focus on softening the glue.

Removing these covers gives you clear access to what’s actually holding the toilet paper holder to your wall. That means you can now safely take it off without guessing or breaking something.

• Use a flat screwdriver or butter knife to gently lift caps
• Twist or wiggle caps before pulling hard
• Remove toilet paper bar first if needed for easier access
• Be patient—old parts might be stuck tightly

Unscrew the Holder from the Wall

Once the covers are off, you’ll be able to see the screws that are holding the toilet paper holder in place. This part is all about being gentle but firm.

Get a Phillips or flat-head screwdriver, depending on the kind of screw you see. Fit the screwdriver in the screw head tightly. Turn it counterclockwise (lefty-loosey!) and slowly unscrew it. Hold the toilet paper holder with your other hand while unscrewing so it doesn’t suddenly fall and chip your floor or toilet.

Sometimes, the screws may be tight or stuck, especially if it’s been there for years. In that case, press down a little harder or use a power drill carefully. Just don’t push too hard—you don’t want to strip the screw or damage the wall.

If your holder is glued or doesn’t have screws, try heating the area with a hair dryer for a few minutes to soften the glue. Then take a piece of floss or fishing line and slowly slide it behind the holder, working in a side-to-side motion. This cuts through the glue like dental floss between teeth.

Now, once the screws or glue are loose, slowly pull the toilet paper holder away from the wall. Don’t rip it off. You want a smooth pull so your wall stays clean.

• Use the right screwdriver and turn counterclockwise
• Hold the holder with your other hand while loosening screws
• Use a hair dryer and floss if it’s glued
• Be patient to avoid breaking anything

Remove the Mounting Brackets or Glue Left Behind

After the holder is off, you might see a metal bracket still stuck to the wall. This bracket is what the holder was screwed into, and now you need to take it off too.

Use your screwdriver again and take out any screws in the bracket. Some brackets are attached with just one screw, others may have two. Unscrew them slowly while holding the bracket so it doesn’t fall and scratch anything.

Now, if your holder was glued, then you’ll probably see some glue left behind. This glue may look like thick tape or dried-out sticky gunk. Take your fingers or a dull plastic scraper and start peeling it away. If it doesn’t come off easily, use that hair dryer again to warm it up. Heat makes the glue soft, and it’ll peel off easier.

For tougher glue, take a soft cloth with a little bit of rubbing alcohol or vinegar. Rub the sticky part until it loosens. You might need to do this a few times.

If any drywall paper peels off during this process, don’t worry. You can fix that later when you patch the hole.

• Unscrew the metal bracket gently
• Use heat to soften any leftover glue
• Try vinegar or rubbing alcohol to clean sticky residue
• Remove all bits to leave the wall smooth

Patch Any Holes or Damage on the Wall

Now you’re left with a wall that may have little holes or some damage where the holder used to be. This is your chance to make the wall look like new again.

Start by cleaning the area with a damp cloth. This gets rid of dust and old glue. Then, take some lightweight wall spackle or patching paste. You can buy it at any hardware store. Use your finger or a small putty knife to spread it into each hole. Don’t put too much—just enough to fill the space.

Smooth the area flat with your knife. Let it dry for a few hours. Once it’s dry, take a piece of fine sandpaper and gently rub the area until it’s smooth. Be careful not to sand too hard—you only want to even it out.

If the wall is very damaged or has a bigger hole, you may need a wall repair patch. These patches are like stickers that go over the hole. Then, you put spackle on top and smooth it out.

After patching, clean the area again and repaint if needed to match the rest of the wall.

• Clean the area first
• Fill holes with spackle using your finger or knife
• Let it dry and sand it smooth
• Repaint to match the wall color

Install a New Holder or Leave It Open

Now your wall is clean and fixed, you can choose what to do next. Some people want to leave it open for a cleaner look or because they want to install a new type later. Others are ready to put in a new toilet paper holder right away.

If you’re putting in a new one, read the instructions on the box. Most come with a paper guide that shows where to drill holes. Tape the guide to the wall, use a level to make sure it’s straight, and mark the holes with a pencil.

Drill holes where you marked, then insert the plastic anchors. These anchors help the screws hold tight. Next, screw the brackets into the wall, and finally attach the holder to the brackets.

If you’re using an adhesive holder, clean the wall first with alcohol, let it dry, then stick the holder in place and press hard for a minute.

And if you don’t want to install anything new, just enjoy the clean look or maybe use a freestanding holder instead.

• Decide if you want a new holder or not
• Follow instructions if installing a new one
• Use a level and anchors for the best fit
• Consider a freestanding holder if you want no drilling

Final Thoughts

Taking off a toilet paper holder might seem small, but it makes a big difference in your bathroom. Whether you’re updating your space or just fixing a loose part, doing it right saves time, effort, and your wall. The key is to be gentle, go step by step, and not rush. With the right tools and patience, anyone can do it—even if it’s your first time. Now your bathroom is cleaner, smoother, and ready for whatever comes next.

Action	What to Do
Look at attachment	Check for screws, glue, or built-in style
Take off covers	Use flat tool to remove caps and uncover screws
Unscrew the holder	Use screwdriver or hair dryer/floss for glued types
Remove brackets/glue	Unscrew or soften and peel adhesive
Patch holes or damage	Use spackle, sand, and repaint
Decide next steps	Install new holder or leave wall clean

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it hard to remove a toilet paper holder?

Removing a toilet paper holder is not hard if you take your time and follow each step carefully. Most holders are either screwed into the wall or attached with glue, so the process depends on how it’s installed. You’ll need basic tools like a screwdriver or a hair dryer. If you rush or try to yank it off, you might damage the wall. But if you gently check how it’s attached, remove the screws or soften the glue first, it becomes very easy—even for a beginner.

Can I remove it without tools?

Yes, you can remove some types of toilet paper holders without tools, especially if they are stuck with adhesive instead of screws. For adhesive holders, you can use a hair dryer to heat the glue and then gently pull or use dental floss to cut through the glue behind the holder. However, if your holder is screwed in, you will at least need a screwdriver. It’s always helpful to have a few simple tools on hand just in case you discover it’s more tightly attached than expected.

Is it okay to use a knife instead of a screwdriver?

You can use a butter knife in some cases, like popping off plastic covers or very loose screws. But it’s not the safest or best choice. Knives can slip easily, damage the wall, or hurt your hand. A screwdriver gives you better grip and control. If you don’t have one, see if a friend or neighbor can lend you one. A simple flat-head or Phillips screwdriver is all you really need for most toilet paper holders.

Do I need to patch the wall after?

Yes, most of the time you will need to patch the wall after removing a toilet paper holder. If it was screwed in, there will be little holes left behind. Even glued holders can leave sticky marks or damage the paint. It’s a good idea to fill these holes with spackle or patching paste, sand it smooth once dry, and then repaint if needed. This makes your wall look clean again and ready for a new holder or just a tidy space.

Can I reuse the old holder?

Yes, you can reuse your old toilet paper holder if it’s still in good shape and not broken. Make sure you keep all the parts, like screws, brackets, or covers. Clean it well and check that it still fits where you want to install it next. Sometimes, if it was glued, the back might be messy or the shape damaged. In that case, you may need to clean it up or just buy a new one. But if it’s metal or solid plastic, reuse is often possible.

Do I have to turn off the water?

No, you do not have to turn off the water to remove a toilet paper holder. This task does not involve any plumbing or pipes. Toilet paper holders are mounted on the wall, not connected to any water supply. So you can safely do the whole removal process without touching your bathroom’s water system at all. Just be careful where you place your tools so they don’t fall into the toilet or sink!

Is it okay to paint over the patched holes?

Yes, once the patched holes are dry and smooth, it is perfectly fine to paint over them. In fact, painting is the best way to make the wall look like nothing was ever there. Make sure the paint color matches your bathroom wall. Use a small brush and paint just enough to cover the patched area. Let it dry fully. This final step makes your wall look clean and fresh, especially if you’re not installing a new holder right away.

Can I install a new holder in the same place?

Yes, you can install a new holder in the same place, but it depends on how the old one was removed. If the holes are still strong and not too worn out, you can use the same screw spots. If the wall is damaged, you should patch and move the new holder slightly to a stronger part of the wall. Always use wall anchors to keep the new one tight. Make sure it’s level and placed at a good height for easy reach.