A door draft snake is a long, heavy fabric tube that lies against the bottom of a door to block cold air. You can make one in about 10 minutes from an old sock or a strip of fabric and a few cups of dry rice. It costs almost nothing and makes a drafty room feel warmer right away.
Quick answer: Fill a long sock or fabric tube with dry rice or beans until it is full but still floppy, sew or knot the end closed, and lay it along the bottom of the door on the inside. It blocks the gap where cold air sneaks in.
Why blocking door drafts matters
Small gaps add up. Air that leaks in under doors and around windows makes your heater run longer to keep the house warm. The U.S. Department of Energy says that by sealing uncontrolled air leaks, you can save 10% to 20% on your heating and cooling bills (DOE Energy Saver Guide). ENERGY STAR lists weatherstripping doors as one of the simple fixes that make a home more comfortable (ENERGY STAR).
A draft snake is not a permanent seal, but it is a fast, free fix for renters, older homes, and any door with a gap you can see light through. It works in summer too, keeping cool air inside.
What you need
- A long sock (knee-high or longer), an old pant leg, or a strip of sturdy fabric about 8 inches wide and as long as your door
- Filler: dry rice, dried beans or lentils, or clean sand in a zip bag for extra weight
- A funnel or a cup with a spout (a rolled piece of paper works)
- Needle and thread, fabric glue, or a rubber band
- Optional: a second sock or an old pillowcase as an outer cover you can wash
How to make a door draft snake
- Measure the door. Check the width of the door bottom. Your snake should be a little longer than the door so it covers the corners.
- Prepare the tube. If you are using fabric, fold it in half the long way with the pattern inside and sew or glue the long edge and one end. Turn it right side out. If you are using socks, cut the toe off one sock and slide it over the open end of another to make a longer tube.
- Fill it. Use the funnel to pour in rice or beans. Fill it about three-quarters full. It should be heavy but still bend and lie flat against the floor.
- Close the end. Sew the open end shut, use fabric glue, or tie it tightly with a knot or rubber band.
- Add a cover (optional). Slide the snake into an outer sock or a pillowcase cut to size. You can take the cover off to wash it.
- Place it. Lay the snake on the floor tight against the inside of the door. Push it into the corners.
- Check for drafts. On a windy day, hold your hand near the bottom of the door. If you still feel air, add more filler or make the snake longer.
Tips
- Do not wash a snake filled with rice or beans. Water can make the filler swell or grow mold. Wash only the removable cover.
- For a door you open a lot, try a double snake: two tubes on a strip of fabric that slides under the door, one on each side, so it moves with the door.
- Skip the scented oils if anyone in your home has allergies. Plain rice works just as well.
- A snake is a quick fix. For a long-term solution, add a door sweep or new weatherstripping, which are usually inexpensive at hardware stores.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best filling for a draft stopper?
Dry rice and dried beans are cheap, heavy and easy to find. Clean sand sealed in a zip bag is heavier still. Light fillers like packing peanuts work less well because the snake may slide away from the door.
Do draft snakes really work?
Yes, for gaps under doors they help a lot. They stop the cold air you can feel near the floor, which makes the room feel warmer and lets your heater run less. They do not fix leaks around the sides or top of the door.
Can I use a draft snake on a window?
Yes. A thinner snake can sit on a window sill to block drafts along the bottom of an old window. For bigger leaks, a window film kit or caulk works better.
See your home energy savings
Want to know how much drafts and heating cost your household? Try our free Home Energy Simulator to see where your energy goes and which simple fixes save the most.
Related guides
- How to Draft-Proof Your Mail Slot or Cat Door Yourself
- How to Install a DIY Window Film Kit as a Renter
- How to Reverse Your Ceiling Fan Direction for Winter Savings
Sources
- U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver Guide: Tips on Saving Money and Energy at Home
- ENERGY STAR, Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR
Written and reviewed by the Accessible Sustainability Alliance editorial team. Last updated October 5, 2026.
