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!
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!
