DIY Draft Stoppers: 14 Cozy Ways to Stop Cold Air Before Winter Hits

DIY draft stoppers are one of the easiest ways to make your home feel warmer this winter, and most of them cost next to nothing. You know that sneaky chill that creeps under the front door and makes your toes cold the moment you sit down? It is not your imagination. Small gaps around doors and windows let warm air slip out and cold air rush in. The good news is that you can fix a lot of it with things you already own, like old jeans, a spare towel, a pool noodle or a single sock. Below are 14 simple ideas, from sew free fabric snakes to clever window tricks, that will help you feel cozy all season and maybe even keep your heating bill a little calmer..

DIY Draft Stoppers Start With a Classic Plaid Fabric Snake

The classic draft snake is the one everyone pictures, and for good reason. A long fabric tube filled with stuffing sits right against the bottom of the door and blocks the cold air from sneaking in. A cozy plaid flannel makes it look like part of your winter decor instead of a fix. You can sew a simple straight seam or use fabric glue if you do not sew. Once it is in place, you will feel the difference almost right away. Ready to find out how many other things can do this job..

You will need: Plaid flannel fabric about 8 inches wide and as long as your door, polyester stuffing or dry rice, thread or fabric glue.

How to make it: 1. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and sew or glue the long edge and one end. 2. Turn it right side out and fill it firmly. 3. Close the open end and lay it against the bottom of the door.

Pool Noodle Blocker for a Sliding Door

Sliding patio doors are famous for drafts along the bottom track. A pool noodle is light, cheap and the perfect shape to fill that gap. Slip it into a soft fabric sleeve so it looks neat, then lay it along the track when the door is closed. In the morning, just lift it out of the way. It is a great use for that summer pool noodle sitting in the garage. Could your patio door use a little winter coat?

You will need: One pool noodle, a fabric sleeve or an old pillowcase and a pair of scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut the pool noodle to the width of the door. 2. Slide it into a fabric sleeve and stitch or tie the ends. 3. Lay it along the bottom track whenever the door is closed.

Old Jeans Leg Draft Snake

Before you toss those worn out jeans, look at the legs. Each one is already a sturdy tube, which makes it a ready made draft stopper. Cut off one leg, fill it with stuffing or old fabric scraps and tie both ends with twine. Denim looks great with farmhouse or casual decor, and it is tough enough to handle pets and busy hallways. If you love giving denim a second life, see our list of old jeans upcycles. Which door would you put it by?

You will need: One leg cut from old jeans, stuffing or fabric scraps, twine and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut one leg from the jeans and turn it inside out. 2. Tie or sew one end shut and turn it back. 3. Fill it firmly, then tie the other end with twine.

DIY Draft Stoppers for Windows: Rice Sock Minis

Long socks filled with rice make perfect little stoppers for drafty window sills. They are heavy enough to stay in place and small enough to tuck right into the gap where the window meets the frame. A funny striped sock or a cozy knit one adds a little charm, too. Use socks that have lost their partner, so nothing goes to waste. Kids can help fill them with a paper funnel. How many single socks are hiding in your drawer right now?

You will need: Long single socks, dry rice, a paper funnel and ribbon or a hair tie.

How to make it: 1. Roll a sheet of paper into a funnel and place it in the sock. 2. Pour in rice until the sock is firm but still bendy. 3. Tie the top with a ribbon and lay it on the window sill.

Rolled Towel With Ribbon Ties

This is the fastest of all DIY draft stoppers, and it takes about one minute. Roll a thick bath towel tightly from the long side, then tie it with two or three ribbons so it stays rolled. Lay it against the bottom of the door and you are done. Pretty ribbons make it look like you planned it all along. House Digest shared more door insulation ideas using items you already own, and this one is a great quick fix for a guest room. Do you have a spare towel you could use tonight?

You will need: A thick bath towel and two or three ribbons.

How to make it: 1. Lay the towel flat and roll it tightly from the long side. 2. Tie ribbons around it in two or three places. 3. Press it against the bottom of the door.

Fleece Scarf Draft Tube

An old fleece or chunky knit scarf can become a soft, colorful draft stopper. Fold it lengthwise, stitch or glue the edge and fill it with stuffing. Fleece is warm and fuzzy, which makes it great for bedroom doors and window sills. A bright mustard or red color also adds a happy pop to a gray winter day. Since scarves are already long and narrow, most of the work is done for you. Which old scarf would you turn into one?

You will need: An old fleece or knit scarf, stuffing, a needle and thread or fabric glue.

How to make it: 1. Fold the scarf in half lengthwise with the right sides together. 2. Sew or glue the long edge and one end, then turn it right side out. 3. Fill with stuffing and close the end.

DIY Draft Stoppers That Slide Under the Door

Regular draft snakes slide away every time the door opens. This version fixes that. Two foam pipe insulation tubes sit inside a long fabric sleeve, one on each side of the door, joined by the fabric under the gap. When you open and close the door, the stopper moves with it. It is one of the smartest DIY draft stoppers for busy rooms where people come and go all day. Would this solve the problem of the snake that always wanders?

You will need: Two foam pipe insulation tubes cut to the door width, fabric about 20 inches wide, thread or fabric glue.

How to make it: 1. Sew the fabric into a long sleeve with a pocket on each side. 2. Slide one foam tube into each pocket. 3. Fit the middle of the fabric under the door so one tube sits on each side.

Rope Caulk Around Drafty Windows

Rope caulk is a soft, clay like strip that you press into gaps around windows with your fingers. No tools and no mess, and it peels off cleanly in spring. It is a favorite trick for renters and older homes with gaps around the frame. Run your hand around the window on a windy day to feel where the cold air comes in, then press the rope into those spots. It is surprisingly satisfying work. Where do you feel the biggest chill in your home?

You will need: A roll of removable rope caulk and a clean, dry cloth.

How to make it: 1. Wipe the window frame clean and let it dry. 2. Pull off a length of rope caulk and press it into the gap. 3. Smooth it with your thumb and remove it in spring.

Keyhole and Mail Slot Covers

Small openings in a door can let in a surprising amount of cold air. A knitted or felt cover over the mail slot and a little flap over an old keyhole can make a real difference in a drafty hallway. They are also adorable, especially in winter colors. Attach them with removable hooks or a small strip of fabric tape so nothing is damaged. It is a cute weekend project for anyone who knits or sews. Does your front door have a mail slot?

You will need: Knitted fabric or felt, a small removable hook or fabric tape, scissors and thread.

How to make it: 1. Measure the mail slot and keyhole. 2. Cut or knit a cover slightly larger than each opening. 3. Hang it from a small hook or tape so it falls over the gap.

Bubble Wrap on Window Glass

This one surprises people, but it really helps. A sheet of bubble wrap pressed onto a window adds a layer of trapped air that keeps cold glass from chilling the room. Simply spray a little water on the glass and press the bubble side against it. It lets in soft light, so it is perfect for a garage, basement or spare room window. In spring, just peel it off and save it. Which window in your home always feels icy?

You will need: Bubble wrap, a spray bottle with water and scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut the bubble wrap to the size of the glass. 2. Mist the glass lightly with water. 3. Press the bubble side onto the glass and smooth it out.

DIY Draft Stoppers for Door Edges: Weatherstrip Tape

If you can see light around the edges of a closed door, cold air is getting in there, too. Adhesive weatherstrip tape made of foam or felt fills that gap. Clean the door frame, cut the strip to size and press it into place where the door closes. It is one of the cheapest DIY draft stoppers you can buy and it takes about ten minutes per door. The door may feel a little snug at first, which means it is working. Ready to check your doors tonight?

You will need: Self adhesive foam or felt weatherstrip tape, scissors and a damp cloth.

How to make it: 1. Clean the door frame and let it dry. 2. Measure and cut the strip for the top and sides. 3. Peel and press it firmly where the door meets the frame.

Heavy Curtains as a Thermal Blanket

Thick curtains work like a blanket for your windows. At night, close them to hold warm air in and keep the chill from the glass out of the room. You can line plain curtains with an old fleece blanket for extra warmth, or hang a quilt on a tension rod over a very drafty window. During sunny days, open them up to let free warmth in. It is a simple habit that adds up. Do you open and close your curtains with the sun?

You will need: Thick curtains or an old fleece blanket, clip rings and a curtain rod or tension rod.

How to make it: 1. Clip the blanket behind your curtains as a lining. 2. Make sure the curtains reach the window sill or floor. 3. Close them at night and open them on sunny days.

Clear Window Insulation Film

Window insulation film is a thin clear plastic that you stretch over the window frame with double sided tape. A hair dryer then shrinks it tight so it is almost invisible. It creates a pocket of still air that keeps the cold glass from cooling the room. Ask an adult to handle the hair dryer and keep it moving. It is a perfect project for old windows in rentals, because it comes off cleanly in spring. Would you try it on your coldest window?

You will need: A window insulation film kit, scissors and a hair dryer used by an adult.

How to make it: 1. Clean the window frame and apply the double sided tape. 2. Press the film onto the tape, leaving a little extra. 3. Warm the film with a hair dryer until it is tight, then trim the edges.

DIY Draft Stoppers That Stay Put: A Simple Door Sweep

A door sweep is a strip with a rubber or brush edge that attaches to the bottom of the door. It stays in place all winter and moves with the door, so you never have to fix a wandering snake. Many sweeps stick on with adhesive or slide over the bottom of the door, which is great for renters. Measure your door width carefully and trim the sweep to fit. Pair it with a cozy rug and your entryway will feel so much warmer. Is your front door due for one?

You will need: An adhesive or slide on door sweep, a tape measure and scissors or a small saw for trimming.

How to make it: 1. Measure the width of the door. 2. Trim the sweep to fit and clean the bottom of the door. 3. Attach it so the edge just touches the floor when the door is closed.