How to Make a DIY Draft Stopper Out of Household Materials

This simple DIY could save you hundreds on heating

A draft under a window
Photo: Andrey Popov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
A draft under a window
Photo: Andrey Popov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Angela Brown
Written by Angela Brown
Contributing Writer
Updated Jul 7, 2022
SKILL LEVEL
Easy
COMPLETION TIME
30 minutes
COST
$0–$15
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
  • Needle and thread
SUPPLIES
  • Tall socks
  • Popcorn kernels
  • A piece of fabric an inch or two longer than your doorframe
  • Stuffing (from an old pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal)

When temperatures drop, keeping your home cozy is probably one of your top priorities. One of the easiest ways to keep your home warmer and save on energy bills is to use draft stoppers. 

A draft stopper blocks gaps under your doors to prevent cold air from entering and blocking warm air from exiting. According to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, drafts from leaks around doors, windows, and outdated HVAC systems could cost you an extra $200 to $400 per year, so adding things like draft stoppers can help. Check out these simple DIY draft stoppers to save a little extra money this winter.

  1. Create a Tube With Your Fabric

    Measure your fabric so that it’s about 2 inches longer than the width of your door. Fold your fabric in half and sew one end and up the side, to create a tube.

  2. Fill the Fabric Tube

    Add popcorn (for weight) and stuffing to your cloth tube. Make sure you fill the tube completely. Sew the end using your needle and thread. Set your filled tube aside for a moment.

  3. Sew the Heel in Place

    Turn the sock(s) inside out and sew across the heel to keep it in place once filled. You can achieve this by sewing straight across the middle of the heel, below the curve.

  4. Insert the Fabric Tube

    Construction worker putting sealing foam
    Photo: New Africa / Adobe Stock

    While the sock is still inside out, put your hand inside the sock. Grab the filled tube with your socked hand and pull it into the sock. As you pull the tube into the sock, the sock should come right-side out. Sew the end of the sock shut to complete your project.

DIY vs. Professional Draft Stoppers

Covering drafts is a simple way to save money on your energy bills and ensure your home stays warm. You can also hire a local handyperson to tackle bigger jobs if you’re not comfortable installing weather stripping yourself. If you want to hire a professional to weatherize your home, weather stripping installation costs around $130 to $400 per project, while new insulation costs between $1,400 and $6,300. 

If a professional insulation job is out of your budget, you could further reduce drafts by covering your windows with plastic during the winter. You’ll want to invest about $30 in a proper kit to maximize your savings.

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Learn more about our contributor
Angela Brown
Written by Angela Brown
Contributing Writer
Angela Brown Angela is a freelance real estate and personal finance writer. She's spent most of her adult life living in small apartments, so she's mastered the art of organizing and living in small spaces. She has written for multiple publications including FoxBusiness, Credible, and Lending Tree.

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