Draft Stoppers Save Money
Draft Dodgers Save Energy and Lower Heating Bills
Draft blockers for windows and doors can save money and energy during the winter months with designs that are whimsical as well as functional.
Doors and windows account for 11 percent of the heat loss in an average home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Help keep heat in and cold air out with easy-to-make door draft stoppers, or draft snakes, that sit on the floor or window sill and cover any cracks that may leak air. You can also buy a variety of stylish draft dodgers from online retailers.
Make Your Own Draft Stopper
Even if you can’t sew a stitch, you can make your own draft stopper with an old pair of women’s knit tights. Cut off one leg of the tights and fill it with clean playground sand. Another fill option is rice or lentil beans, but beware that food may attract pets and pests. Use fabric glue to seal the open end of the tights closed and you have a one-of-a-kind draft blocker that you can further decorate with buttons, googly eyes, felt add-ons, or sequins.
Ruby Slippers Draft Stopper
Ding, dong, the witch is dead! Elicit giggles from your guests with the Wizard of Oz Wicked Witch Ruby Slippers Door Draft Stopper, available from the Merchant of Oz. The Wicked Witch of the East’s striped socks and ruby red slippers block drafts from doors and windows. This draft dodger is made of cotton with microbeads and polyester fiberfill and measures 35 inches long by 8 inches high. Price: $40, shipping varies.
Simple Draft Stopper
With their simple design and affordable price, the Window Door and Draft Stoppers from Improvements Catalog are handy for every drafty door or window in your house. A surface-washable, tan, polyester-cotton blend fabric covers this draft blocker, which is available in two lengths—25-1/2 inches long ($7.99) or 35-1/2 inches long ($8.99). Save $1 off each item when you buy three or more from Improvements. Shipping starts at $4.99.
Dual Draft Stopper
Plow & Hearth offers a great price on the Twin Draft Guard, a double-sided draft stopper that fits under a door and places an insulated foam tube on both sides of the opening. This draft guard stays put when you open and shut your door, so there is no need to reposition a draft stopper every time you walk through a closed doorway. The stopper is available in blue and green and comes in a 36-inch length that can be cut to fit your door opening. Price: $9.95, $8.95 for two or more. Shipping starts at $5.99. (At press time, these draft guards were out of stock. Plow & Hearth will list expected availability dates when you place an order for an out-of-stock item and will send the order when they receive the item at their warehouse.)
Handmade Cow Draft Dodger
The Etsy store of seller boywhosews features an eclectic selection of funky draft stoppers, all filled with polystyrene beads and backed with hook-and-loop closures that attach to the door so the stopper stays connected when the door opens and closes. The draft dodger comes in a 36-inch length and is available in fabric prints of cows, camouflage, cool cats, and leopards ($25 each). A 34-inch giraffe shaped dodger sells for $45. Shipping is $7.50.
