Article By: Mirna Cacic

If the kids are putting in way too many holes in the walls and your house is starting to look like a block of Swiss cheese, have no fear! There is a way you can patch up your drywall yourself, and it’s oh so easy, too! Patching up those unsightly holes is going to take you less than an hour to do – and that includes drying time! Save yourself a couple bucks by following along with our easy tutorial! Let’s get started!

What You Will Need:

1) Peel-and-stick drywall patch kit

2) Utility knife

3) 6″ taping knife

4) Fine-grit sandpaper

5) Joint compound

6) Drywall primer

Step #1:

Cut away any loose paper from the hole using the utility knife.

Step #2:

Take your patch and peel away the backing paper. Place the patch over the hole and smooth it out.

Step #3:

Take the taping knife and press the drywall primer into the patch. Make sure the entire patch is covered.

Step #4:

Take the joint compound and cover up the patch again. Cover the patch in two thin coats.

Step #5:

Allow the joint compound to dry. This usually takes about 30 minutes. When it’s dry, sand it smooth with the sandpaper. Blend the edges of the patch to help it blend in with the rest of the wall.

Photos: This Old House, Dummies.

Fixing scratches on your hardwood floors doesn’t have to be a chore. Here are 8 simple ways to fix them and leave your floor looking new!

1. Vegetable Oil

Rub vegetable oil on the scratch and let it sit overnight. In the morning, just wipe clean.

2. Stain Marker

Purchase a stain marker in a shade close to the color of your floor and simply color in the scratch.

3. Tea

Tea can help stain the scratch to help it blend in with the rest of your hardwood floor.

4. Walnuts

Rub a walnut over the scratch. This also works for wood furniture, too.

5. Sand and Stain

For deeper scratches, gently sand the scratch and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Paint over the area with a little bit of the original floor stain. Apply lightly and use a cloth to work it into the surface. Repeat until the spot matches the rest of your floor.

6. Mayonnaise

Rub a small amount of mayonnaise over the area and let sit for a few hours, then wipe clean.

7. Iron

For deep dents, apply a wet cloth or paper towel over the area. Run an iron over the cloth for 3-5 minutes.

8. Pecans

If you’re out of walnuts, rub a pecan onto the scratch.

* Keep in mind that sometimes you really have to part with you floors and accept that they are not in the condition to be refinished. Termite and water damage is hard to repair and needs to be replaced. Consider a reputable flooring supplier for new hardwood floors, wood floors, click flooring, and even laminate!

Photos: AJ Floor Coverings, Vintage Home and Garden, Tea Genie.