What's the best way to remove texture/stippling from a ceiling?

[Roger]

I want to repaint a fairly large ceiling but first I need to remove this stuff called texture or something like that.It may have different names in different parts of the world, but it is basically a rough plaster finish applied with a stippling brush giving a rough texture or surface to the ceiling. what's the best way ? I have used a steamer and its messy and slow. Then I sanded it down and that's a mess as well. So are there any methods that might save me some hard work? Thanks

 

[Mark]

I would sand it down and lay tarps down below me.

 

[northville]

water will loosen it, then you can scrape it off.