How do you fill holes in walls without putty?

Author: Donnell Sporer PhD  |  Last update: Friday, May 23, 2025

Elmer's Glue If you have a smaller hole in the wall to fill, apply a bit of Elmer's glue to the hole with a Q-tip. Try your best to get the layer of glue as flush with the wall as possible — once the glue hardens, you'd have to chip off the excess glue to create an even layer.

What is a good substitute for wall putty?

White cement is a good choice for both exterior and interior surfaces. The use of wall putty for exterior surface might be advised but if you have an option of white cement, we can assure you that it will be better for you.

What can I use instead of wall filler?

Wall repair patches

If your hole is too large to fix with filler, you can use a wall repair patch. These are designed to quickly and easily cover holes in plasterboard walls. Before you apply the patch, remove any loose plaster and dust from the hole and the area around it.

What is the best thing to fill holes in walls with?

The cheapest way to fix drill holes in a bedroom wall is to use spackling paste or wall filler. Apply it with a putty knife, smooth it out, and once it dries, sand it down before painting over the repair. You can find all the necessary materials at any hardware store for a very low cost.

What is the cheapest way to fix a hole in the wall?

Fill dents and tiny holes with lightweight spackle using your finger or a putty knife. Make sure the spackle completely fills the dent or hole and is level with the rest of the wall.

Fixing Big Holes from Drywall Anchors!

How do you make homemade hole filler?

If you don't have any toothpaste on hand, mix up a bit of baking soda and white glue to fill in all the holes. It'll create the thick consistency that you'll need and will dry rock solid. From there, smooth the surface with a putty knife, and paint right over the area with a color that matches the rest of the wall.

What do painters use to fill in holes?

Professional painters typically reach for spackling paste or putty when facing this common issue. These materials are favored for their ease of use, quick drying time, and sandability, which allows for creating an even surface that's indistinguishable from the surrounding area.

How to make homemade wall spackle?

Mix together four tablespoons of white flour and one-third teaspoon of salt, then add in enough paint or primer until the concoction has a doughy or putty-like texture. Smooth it over small cracks and dents with a putty knife.

How to fix a hole in drywall without a patch?

If the hole is small enough, you can fix a small hole in the drywall without using a drywall patch. You can use paper tape only for small holes—no more than 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Larger holes require a different repair method that provides more support than merely bridging the hole with joint tape.

What can I use instead of putty filler?

10 Ways to Repair Wood without Putty
  • Wood Filler. Wood filler is a great alternative to putty when it comes to repairing small holes or cracks in wood. ...
  • Epoxy Resin. ...
  • Wood Glue. ...
  • Wooden Dowels. ...
  • Wood Veneer. ...
  • Toothpicks. ...
  • Sawdust and Glue Mixture. ...
  • Wood Stain Markers.

How do you make homemade wall filler?

No problem, we've got a solution for that, too; PopSugar suggests combining an equal amount of water, salt, and corn starch. The result is a thick substance that you can use to fill tiny dings and holes in your wall.

Can caulk be used as filler?

As caulk is flexible, it can fill the gap nicely and allow the wood to move with the seasons. It can also be painted, so you'll never know it's there. Caulk can be used to fill any small gaps between different surfaces around the home.

What is the best alternative to putty?

Let's explore the top 10 alternatives to PuTTY and what they offer.
  1. MobaXterm. MobaXterm is a powerful SSH client that integrates various network tools into one portable application. ...
  2. KiTTY. ...
  3. Bitvise SSH Client. ...
  4. SecureCRT. ...
  5. Solar-PuTTY. ...
  6. Xshell. ...
  7. Tera Term. ...
  8. Termius.

How do you fill holes without putty?

Start by squeezing some white or clear toothpaste onto a toothpick or Q-tip, depending on the size of the hole. Begin filling the hole, adding extra toothpaste as needed to ensure all gaps are covered. Then, use a putty knife, a butter knife, or even a playing card to flatten and remove any excess toothpaste.

Can you make your own wall putty?

If you're looking for an inexpensive way to fill holes, you can make the putty that's used for spackling by mixing basecoat plaster with a little water. And all you need are a glue stick and a plastic lid if you're looking for the type of putty used to hold posters on the wall, which is often called sticky tack.

What can I substitute for wall putty?

4 Plaster Filler Alternatives And When To Use Them
  • Caulk. Caulk is a type of waterproof filler that can be used as a sealant - it's often used in kitchens and bathrooms. ...
  • Powder Filler. ...
  • Swedish Putty. ...
  • Wood Fillers.

What to fill holes in a wall with?

Spackle, wall putty, or another hole filler for a wall.

What is the stuff called to fix holes in walls?

Minor repairs are typically completed with spackle, while more major repairs are completed with joint compound. When you are using a patch kit, you can apply either spackle or a lightweight joint compound over the patch, completely covering it.

What is the difference between putty and spackling?

Repairing Wood: Putty

Wood expands and contracts with fluctuations in temperature and moisture. When spackle dries, it becomes rigid and won't flex with the wood.

How do you fix a hole in the wall cheap?

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Clean the hole. Begin by scraping the area with a putty knife and lightly sanding the area around the hole to remove any loose paint or debris. ...
  2. Apply your wall patch. ...
  3. Paint over the entire wall patch. ...
  4. Remove the tab. ...
  5. Paint over the entire wall patch again.

Are mud and spackle the same thing?

Spackle compound for drywall is made of gypsum powder and binders. It is thicker than joint compound (drywall mud), similar to the consistency of toothpaste.

What to do if you put a hole in the wall?

To fix a small hole, like a nail or screw hole under ½ inch, McGee provides the following instructions:
  1. Clean the area. Remove loose drywall debris. ...
  2. Fill the hole. Apply joint compound with a putty knife. ...
  3. Finish the repair. Sand the area smooth until it is flush with the rest of the wall.

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