Why People Are Putting Plastic Bottles On Their Doors

It's not unusual to spot quirky household hacks making the rounds online, but some of them stick because they solve a real problem without costing a dime. One such fix has made its way into homes across the world: a plain plastic bottle dangling from a string. At first glance, it looks like a forgotten piece of recycling, but it's actually a clever way to keep doors shutting on their own. In short, it works as a do-it-yourself door closer, using nothing more than gravity and a bit of tension. This trick has gained attention for its effectiveness because it offers homeowners a no-fuss alternative when an automatic door closer isn't available.

The idea keeps pets from sneaking out, stops kids from leaving doors wide open, and helps maintain indoor temperatures by ensuring a door shuts every time someone passes through. Not every door comes equipped with a traditional closing system, and those that do often lose their spring or hydraulic function over time. Replacing the mechanism can be costly or inconvenient, which is why the low-tech solution of repurposing a plastic water bottle is catching on. All you need is a plastic bottle, a hammer, a length of nylon string, and a screw to anchor it in place.

Once you've gathered the essentials, the setup is straightforward. Start by filling the empty plastic water bottle with water to give it the necessary weight. Next, make a small hole in the cap of the bottle to pass the string through. The easiest way to do this is to heat the tip of the screw or nail over a flame. Once hot, hold it with pliers for safety, and carefully press it through the plastic cap. Alternatively, you can keep the cap on and tie a knot underneath at the neck of the bottle. But if you want the weight distributed more naturally, threading the string directly through the bottle and tying it off works better.

Now, take a hammer and fix the screw just above the door, right in the center. Tie the other end of the string to the screw. Make sure it's secure. The bottle should hang freely and have enough clearance to move without bumping into the doorframe. With the setup complete, the system is ready. Whenever someone opens the door, the bottle's weight will gently pull it back to a closed position. It's a no-frills mechanism, but one that delivers almost the same result as a store-bought closer.