Reuse An Old Sock For This Easy DIY That Can Help Keep Your Home Cool

Summer days seem to be competing against each other to reach record temperatures. Frustratingly — and frighteningly — the same methods we use to combat the heat are contributing to the constant rise in temperatures. In addition to a warming planet, the hefty amount you're paying to keep your house cool is a pressing issue. Any means, especially a cheap or free one, is welcome when it comes to holding on to bought air. Door draft blockers really do work to separate the air inside your house from the air outside. These long snakes of fabric filled with an insulative material are common in winter — but why not employ the same idea to keep in your precious cool air?

While you can purchase draft stoppers from countless sources, there's no need to spend money when you likely already have the materials on hand to whip one up yourself. Grab an old sock, or one that's lost its mate to the dryer abyss, fill it with grains, stitch the opening shut, and you've got an easy (and basically free) draft blocker.

Go through your drawers and find a long, widowed sock. Hockey socks or those meant to cover soccer shin guards are a great choice. The best options are ones that are long enough to cover your knee. If you don't have any that fit the bill, gather up the whole pile of socks to use. As for materials to fill the socks with, small seeds like popcorn or rice are a great choice.

The easiest and quickest method is to fill the sock with grain as-is; if there are any holes in the sock, stitch them closed before adding the grain. With the help of a funnel, pour in enough grain to fill the sock up to about 3 inches from the opening. Sew the opening shut, and place your new drafter stopper along the gap between the door and the floor. You can also place it on windowsills, especially ones that get intense sun. To decide which openings need insulation the most, easily check your windows and doors for drafts with this trick that involves a match or candle.

Do you have a collection of worn or mateless patterned socks that are too cute to part with? Then this is an eye-pleasing project that will show off the polka dots, plaids, or pieces of pizza that adorn your old socks. Cut open the toe end of the socks, and stitch the cut and ankle ends of several socks together until you have a cylinder long enough to cover the width of your door or window. For a more finished look, use only the part of the sock between the heel and the opening; by cutting off the foot of the sock, you'll have a smoother shape without the bulge of the heel and tapering toward the toe.

Have your draft dodger do double duty by adding scented material to the grain mixture. Dried lavender buds, cinnamon sticks, dried citrus peel, or essential oils make great additives. Or, fill it with a bit of potpourri, the old school way to keep your home smelling fresh. Stitch the ends shut, and your eyes, nose, body, and electrical bill will reap the benefits.