Filling Nail Holes with Everyday Household Items - Project Home DIY

Filling Nail Holes with Everyday Household Items

Have you ever been working on a project at your house and you realize it would look so much better if you could just fill in the nail holes you made? And darn it....you're all out of spackle or wood filler. 

No worries! We've got you covered. Here are 6 ways you can fill nail holes with everyday household items you have just sitting around. 

1. Toothpaste & Aspirin

Crush an aspirin tablet and mix together with about a 1/4 inch diameter amount of toothpaste. Apply the mixture to the nail holes using a popsicle/craft stick or butter knife. Scrap off the excess so the surface is flat.

2. Baking Soda & Glue

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 be a nice thick consistency and dry into a rock hard surface. Once you fill, smooth out the surface with a putty knife or flat tool.

3. Bar of Soap

Take a bar of soap and rub it back and forth over the nail hole that needs to be filled. When they are filled in, take a dry paper towel or cloth and rub it over the top of the nail hole to smooth out the soap and make the surface even.

4. Craft Glue

Squeeze white craft glue (like Elmer's) into the nail holes. Once dry, rub or peel away any excess left on the outside. 

5. Wood Glue & Sawdust

Do you have one of those awesome handheld mini-sanders? Does it have a catch bag for the sawdust? Empty the bag into a small dish and mix the sawdust with some wood glue. Just enough to create a paste. You will have to work quickly so the mixture doesn't dry out. Apply it to the nail hole and use your hand to wipe away any excess. Let dry and you're good to go!

6. Crayons

Find a crayon that is relatively similar in color to the area you are trying to fill. Twist over the nail hole to fill it in with the crayon wax. When it is filled, use a clean cloth to wipe over the top to even out the surface and remove any excess crayon.

With these tips, you'll be filling nail holes with everyday household items like a champ! Who needs fancy products that are only for one purpose, not you! Save your money and use something you have sitting right near you.


4 comments


  • Peggy

    We’re working on an old room now and will try the toothpaste and aspirin! Thanks for the tips. Xo


  • Vickie Davis

    Thank you for all the tips on filling nail holes. You NAILED it again!!! Lol


  • Diane

    Be sure these are done after the surface is finished. Nothing will stick if you do it before finishing . It’s almost impossible to remove all of the nail filler from the surface, and just like when you crackle paint it will just chip off.


  • Debra Neel

    I’ve also used kneaded Erasers, gesso and flour with glue. Art school taught me a lot!


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