Test the ceiling for asbestos before scraping if the home was built before 1980
Turn off power to the room at the breaker
Remove or cover furniture, floors, walls, vents, and fixtures with plastic sheeting
Wear a respirator, goggles, gloves, and protective clothing
Mist a small section of the ceiling with water until damp, not soaked
Let the water soak in for several minutes
Scrape the texture gently with a wide ceiling scraper or putty knife
Work in small sections
Re-wet areas as needed to keep the texture soft
Avoid gouging the drywall underneath
Collect debris as you go and place it in sealed bags
Repair damaged spots with joint compound
Sand the ceiling smooth after it dries
Clean the room thoroughly and remove all plastic carefully
Prime and repaint the ceiling after finishing
Stop immediately and hire a licensed professional if asbestos is present or suspected