Share an Energy Saving Hack!
Make a simple draft stopper from an old sock and rice; test how it blocks drafts and saves energy in a chilly room.
Step-by-step guide to make a simple draft stopper (energy-saving hack)
Step 1
Gather all your materials on a clean table so everything is easy to reach.
Step 2
Pick an old sock that is long enough to cover the bottom gap of your door.
Step 3
Hold a tissue or ribbon at the bottom of the closed door and watch if it moves to see how strong the draft is.
Step 4
Stand the sock upright with its open end up and put a funnel or a rolled piece of paper into the opening.
Step 5
Spoon rice into the sock through the funnel until the sock is about two thirds to three quarters full.
Step 6
Press the rice down gently with your hand to make an even long shape that will block the gap.
Step 7
Sew the open end of the sock closed with needle and thread and knot the thread tightly to keep the rice inside.
Step 8
Decorate the outside of your draft stopper with colouring materials to make it fun and personal.
Step 9
Place the finished draft stopper along the bottom of the door so it presses gently against the floor and fills the gap.
Step 10
Hold the tissue or ribbon at the same spot again and compare how much it moves now to see how well the stopper blocks the draft.
Step 11
Share a photo and a short description of your finished draft stopper on DIY.org so others can try your energy-saving hack.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
If I don't have rice or a funnel, what can I use instead?
If you don't have rice, fill the sock with dried beans, lentils, or clean sand and use a plastic bottle top or a rolled paper cone as a funnel to spoon them into the sock.
My rice keeps spilling or the sock won't stand up while filling—how can I fix that?
Prop the sock upright inside a tall jar or cup, add rice with a small scoop in layers, and press each layer down with your hand or a dowel to prevent spills and get an even shape.
How can I adapt this draft stopper project for younger kids or older kids?
For younger kids, skip the needle and thread and seal the sock with fabric glue or a tight knot while they help pour and decorate, and for older kids have them sew a secure seam, measure the door gap, and design patterns before filling.
How can we improve or personalize the draft stopper to make it work better or look nicer?
Sew two socks together or add small weighted pouches at the ends, attach Velcro to keep it in place, and personalize the outside with paint, fabric markers, or ribbon before sharing a photo on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to make a simple draft stopper (energy-saving hack)
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Facts about home energy efficiency
♻️ Turning an old sock into a draft stopper is a simple upcycle that keeps textiles out of the trash and gives them a second life.
🌡️ A well-placed draft stopper can make the floor area feel noticeably warmer and help your heater run less often on chilly days.
💡 Energy experts often recommend cheap fixes like draft stoppers and weatherstripping as the easiest first step to save energy.
🍚 Rice is a handy filler for draft stoppers because its grains are dense, inexpensive, and let the stopper mold to gaps.
🧦 Socks trap air and act like tiny insulators—perfect for slowing heat loss when stuffed into a draft stopper.
How do I make a simple draft stopper from an old sock and rice?
What materials do I need to make a rice-filled draft stopper?
What ages is this sock draft stopper activity suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety tips for making a draft stopper with kids?
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