Did you know….according to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5% to 30% of your energy use!? That’s a lot of $$$ over the course of a winter! I’m pretty sure I’m losing even more than that in my home office which has both an inside door and a door that goes to the outside. When I moved in I noticed a wicked draft coming in under the door to the outside. I shudder to think how much money has gone out the window (or under the door) from that one drafty door!
But no more! I now I have a weapon in my fight against high energy bills and cold feet! Meet my draft dodger! (Also known as a door sock, door snake, draft stopper, draft blocker, door draft guard…you get the idea…it stops drafts!)
This DIY door sock is actually made from socks and I’m going to show you how you can easily make one yourself!
I found these super soft and snuggly socks at Costco last week and the minute I saw them I knew exactly what I was going to make with them. I’ve been thinking about making one of these for awhile. The small quilt I had rolled up against the door just wasn’t cutting it now that we’re into the seriously cold part of the winter.
What you will need:
- 2 to 3 socks (depending on how long they are. I used 3.)
- quilt batting or polyester fiberfill (I used the stuffing from an old pillow)
- popcorn kernels (you could also use dried beans, peas)
Starting with the popcorn kernels, alternate adding layers of the two materials. I used a small plastic cup with the bottom cut out to facilitate pouring the corn in (but I still managed to get it all over the floor!)
I think each layer of corn kernels ended up being approximately 1 cup, but I didn’t measure. Each layer of “stuffing” was comprised of a couple of big handfuls of the stuff. There is no precise measuring here…you just want about a 1/2 and 1/2 mixture.
The popcorn is used for weight and won’t go rancid like some other dried goods. The batting/stuffing helps give the sock some shape and insulates against the cold air. Pack each tube all the way to the end, with the final layer being the stuffing.
Repeat with 2nd (and 3rd?) sock(s). Now attach the sock sections to each other by simply overlapping the open end of one sock over the closed end of another. Think of it as “putting a sock on” your sock! When the sock sections are fitted snugly together, a few hand sewn stitches will keep it all in place. Or you could even use some fabric glue if you are allergic to needle and thread. :-)
Now go put your door sock in place and be amazed at how well it works! Not a puff of air coming in under my office door now!
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Not sure if you NEED a door sock? To test an area, simply hold the palm of your hand up against a door or window. If you feel cold air coming through, warm air is escaping. This simple fix could save you hundreds on your heating bill this year!
Regarding that door draft stopper…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I decided to make one of those stoppers one cold winter in Californa by sewing a 3 by 4 feet piece of cotton cloth and fill it with sand. The stopper stays in place and heavy enough to keep the draft away.
I always read your OGTs. Thanks for the tips.
Can we not put small pebbles in the sock snakes other than any rice or corn kernels?.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I suppose you could, but it would be SO heavy!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Very clever idea, but I have experience with using rice as a filler. Someone gave me a craft project – a Christmas snowman figure made out of a white sock and other trimmings. It was really cute and clever. I stored it in the attic with other decorations and the next time I looked, there was rice everywhere and evidence that mice had been having quite a feast. Just beware.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It sounds like a great idea, but I have one concern. Will these draft stoppers, filled with popcorn kernels, attract rodents?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My fear, too. Why not use kitty litter?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Check for holes, but as long as it stays closed, you shouldn’t have any problems!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ty for posting this , now all i have to do is make one , really love your’s , so cute.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The one you made is really cute. Years ago people made these out of whatever they had and called them snakes! Have you used the corn kernels long enough to know if insects will be a problem? Thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I haven’t had any problems!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Maybe add a little peppermint oil to deter critters?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.GREAT IDEA! Initially I wasn’t going to make one for this very reason. Mice chew through almost ANYthing. But peppermint oil is soooo effective against mice (and spiders & flies!) that THIS seems to be a perfect solution. I regularly mist a water & peppermint oil solution in corners, cupboards, etc. Now I’ll just mist the sock too! Thanks!
I made similar draft stoppers from my daughter’s outgrown tights! Just use the whole leg portion and there is no need to put multiple socks together! I filled them with rice.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.And my air conditioner is running at the moment…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am going to try adding a strip of magnet to the side to attach it to my metal door.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I made a fabric tube the size of the door, and closed at one end. I inserted 2 small plastic bags, semi filled with air and closed the other end of the tube. 5 or so years later. It’s still filled with air and works just fine.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can also use cat litter as a filler. Use the cheapest you can find and fill the whole draft stopper with it.. No need for the batting.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is perfect timing! My husband keeps shoving multiple jackets in front of our front door, which makes getting in and out a time-consuming and frustrating experience. I keep saying I need to go BUY one but then saw this! I know I already have all of these supplies already on hand (great way to use up those annoying stray socks, too!)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea. I may need to try this. Even with our newer windows I can still feel a slight draft sometimes when we get this extreme cold weather.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can I use rice since it is cheap?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wonderful idea.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s what I was thinking. Then add about 10 drops of an essential oil to the rice for a nice scent. Maybe lavender for a bedroom door stopper? (I have a door going out to my patio)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Maybe peppermint for a door in or near the kitchen?
Sure!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks so much for the tutorial. I am definitely going to this. I have an exterior door that is the problem. Any ideas or suggestions on attaching the
Please log in or create a free account to comment.sock to the door so it is in place when the door is closed from the outside. I am sure there must be an easy solution that is better than attaching ribbons that go under the door and pulling it snug. That would work but would look very tacky lol. Thanks.
I’m just wondering if one tends to have mouse problems over the winter, if the critters would snack on these?!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I haven’t had any problems!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you Jillee for your ideas
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Jillee, now that we have a carbon tax on our natural gas here in Alberta the heating costs are even worse with the minus 40 celcius and the blowing snow! I’ll be making a few draft blockers for my old house.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea! I have lots of old socks & pillows just need to get a cheap bag of beans at sams & I’m set! Nice evening project!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea! The rolled up towel I’m using isn’t doing enough. I receive a weekly email from my energy company regarding the previous week’s use of electricity and an estimate of my bill. This year’s bills have been much, much higher than last year’s. I’m doing this as I have everything; no excuses.
Thank you, Jillee, as usual.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You ought to be a part of a contest for one of the best blogs on the net.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m going to recommend this blog!
The step by step procedure to create one draft stopper helped me to design one for mine. Thanks for this wonderful page. These under draft stopper prevent from the external entries like snake etc.
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