How to Make A Door or Window Draft Dodger and Save Money On Utilities

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By veryirie
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Door Draft Dodger

These draft dodgers (sometimes called bean snakes) are super easy to make. They are inexpensive and can save you substantial money on your utilities. They stop the drafts and air leaks around your doors and windows.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

heavy duty fabric (denim or old blue jeans, also ticking is great for this)
dried beans (approx 2 1/2 bags per "snake")
large-holed plastic funnel or mixing bowl with lip

Step 1

1. Measure the width of your doors and windows where you need to stop any drafts or air leakage. Cut a long rectangle of fabric at the cooresponding measurement for each bean snake PLUS add an additional 1" for your seam allowances. This fabric should be at least 5" wide before sewing.
Step 2

2. With right sides together, sew sides and ends in a 1/2" seam. Make sure you leave at least 5" opening in the CENTER of one of the sides. Turn the bean snake right side out.
Step 3

Window Draft Dodger

3. Insert funnel into the 5" opening. Start pouring in the dried beans. When the snake is full on both sides of the opening, remove funnel and slipstitch opening closed. Your cash savings will start now! :)

Tips & Warnings

Denim and ticking come in a variety of colors now, so you could try to match the bean snake to your home's decor.
Using real beans helps these draft dodgers do their job because the weight is heavier than the pellets you see sometimes.