Found a game changer for patching drywall holes without sanding

Tbh I've always hated sanding drywall compound. The dust gets everywhere and my shop vac can't keep up. But last weekend I tried using a damp sponge instead of sandpaper on a patch job in my hallway. You just wet the sponge lightly and wipe the compound smooth after it sets for about 20 minutes. It took me maybe 15 minutes total for a 6 inch hole and zero dust. Has anyone else tried this method or do you stick with traditional sanding?

3 comments

3 Comments

drew_bennett2411d agoMost Upvoted

Hated sanding for years, that dust is the worst. Tried the sponge method on a popcorn ceiling patch and it worked great, just had to be real careful not to press too hard or it dug into the compound. Definitely sticking with sponges from now on for smaller repairs.

kim.zara10d ago

Tbh @drew_bennett24 you've convinced me to give the sponge thing another shot. Honestly I tried it once on a ceiling patch and ended up with more wet sponge swipes on the floor than actual sanding done, felt like I was mopping the ceiling by accident. Ngl that self-deprecating moment where you realize you pressed too hard and now there's a crater in your patch is a real humbler. I'm just bad at judging pressure I guess, but the no dust part sounds worth the learning curve. Might stick to sponges for small stuff too after reading this, even if I look like a fool figuring it out.

webb.ben11d ago

Scrolled past this and it clicked for me. The whole sanding versus sponge thing reminds me of how people overthink tools in general. Everyone assumes you need a sander for drywall work but sponges work better for small patches because they skip the dust problem entirely. It's like using a butter knife to open a paint can when a flathead screwdriver is right there in the drawer. Simple solutions usually beat the fancy ones.