Winterize Your Sliding Glass Door With A Pool Noodle Hack

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Getting ready for winter can bring on a variety of tasks, from cleaning your gutters to stocking up on essentials in case of a storm. You should also prepare your home so that it stays extra cozy even when it's frigid outside. One way to get a warmer house this winter is by addressing your sliding glass doors. They can allow drafts to sneak in through the bottom and deliver a chill, while also letting heat escape. Drafts can actually be responsible for as much as 10% of a winter energy bill. Fortunately, it's easy to take control with a very simple item — a pool noodle.

Let's hope your summer gear isn't packed away too tightly, as there are clever pool noodle hacks for around the home. They can be used to block drafts all season long, including from your sliding glass doors. If you don't own any of these cylinder tubes, that's okay. You can order them online, such as the Foam Pool Swim Noodles. Alternatively, Dollar Tree sells its Colorful Foam Pool Noodle for $1.50 at select locations. The only other items you'll need are a measuring tape and a serrated knife.

Start by measuring your sliding door track where the draft is coming in. Then, carefully cut the pool noodle to the exact same size. Take the piece and push it down into the track so that it's lying snuggly in place. Leave it there during the winter to help improve your home's warmth. It can be easily removed any time you need to open the door.

Having a brightly-colored pool noodle in your sliding glass door might not sound stylish. You can easily give it a new look, though, so it's both useful and pleasing to the eye. All you have to do is grab some fabric with a pattern you adore. If you're someone who decorates for the holidays, you could even choose a festive design. Cut enough fabric to cover your pool noodle piece, then wrap it tightly around it. Use either a staple gun or fabric glue to secure the material, including the ends. Make sure everything is taut so the noodle can still easily slide into the door track.

Another way you can upgrade your pool noodle is with yarn. Simply put hot glue on the inside of the noodle, then attach the end of the yarn. Begin wrapping it around, using additional glue as you go. Once you finally reach the end, secure it with glue. It'll look much lovelier than a plain pool noodle — keeping the heat in and that cold air out. Don't forget that there are also other sneaky spots where drafts are getting into your home that you might want to look into.