12 Pool Noodle Hacks That Will Get Your Home Through Winter With More Ease

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Have you ever watched the TV show "MacGyver?" It featured a secret agent from the 1980s who could use common items to solve a wide variety of problems, such as using scrambled eggs to stop a leaking radiator. If you're a homeowner who enjoys DIY projects, you can channel that same spirit when winterizing your home by using a simple and inexpensive pool noodle. While it might sound like an outrageous idea to use a colorful pool toy to help get you through harsh winters, resourceful homeowners know that using common items is key to managing home maintenance on a budget.

Homeownership is easily one of the biggest investments you'll ever make. The spending doesn't stop when you sign the mortgage papers. From property taxes and insurance to routine repairs, the expenses can add up quickly, but they are necessary if you want to maintain your property's value. Maintenance is also a year-round job that changes depending on the season. From freezing pipes to drafty windows, winter can be particularly damaging. The hero of your home winterization doesn't have to be an expensive, high-tech product you purchase from your local home improvement store. Sometimes it can be something as simple as pool noodles. We've completed in-depth research to create a list of budget-friendly ways to protect your home all winter long.

Consider the following 12 pool noodle hacks that will get your home through winter more easily.

Gaps at the bottom of doors can cause drafts and heat loss that cost money. Repair this issue by purchasing draft stoppers for $10 to $30 or more from online retailers like Amazon, or using pool noodles that cost less than $2 each. To craft a pool noodle draft stopper, you'll need an old pair of jeans and a couple of noodles. Measure the width of your door and cut two pool noodles to size. A clever trick for cutting pool noodles is using a utility knife. Cut off one of the legs of the jeans approximately 12 inches shorter than the noodles. Place the jean leg under the door and slide the cut noodles into the leg and onto either side of the door to create a tight seal.

Pipes in crawlspaces and basements are often at risk of freezing and cracking during extremely cold weather. Exposure to below-freezing temperatures causes the water inside the pipes to expand and freeze, which can eventually cause them to burst. Insulating the pipes can prevent this from happening. But do pool noodles actually work as pipe insulators? These toys are made from densely packed polyethylene foam, which is well known for its use as a thermal insulator. Cover your pipes by cutting the noodles to size and then making a single slit lengthwise. Slide the noodle over the pipe and secure it with plumbers or duct tape.

Just like exposed pipes, outdoor faucets are susceptible to freezing temperatures and the elements. Any water left inside can freeze and cause major damage, potentially reaching the indoor plumbing. While you can purchase hard-shell covers, like the Rocky Mountain Goods Outdoor Faucet Cover, pool noodles are a cheaper option for those who want to know how to make their own faucet cover. To complete this project, you'll need a hacksaw, pool noodles, and some waterproof tape. Cut approximately 12 inches off of the noodle, and then cut a small one-inch piece to stuff in the end to create a tight seal. Slice approximately half of the noodle lengthwise. Open the noodle up and place it over the spigot. Secure the noodle in place with tape.

Winter boots are tall and heavy and can flop over, especially if they've been exposed to snow and ice. When this happens, not only can they lose their shape, but they can also fail to air out properly, so the next time you wear them, they may still be wet inside. Boot trees, like the ones from My Boot Tree Stores, cost $20 or more. Pool noodles can do the trick for a fraction of the cost. To help boots stay upright and dry, cut a length of noodle that's at least the same height as your boot. Stuff each boot with the piece of noodle and insert it when the boots aren't in use.

When snow and ice melt, they can create pools of water along your driveway or downspout. At night, this water refreezes, causing a major fall hazard. A pool noodle can make an excellent squeegee when placed over the tines of a rake. To do this, you'll need to cut a piece of noodle the same length as the tines of your rake. Slice the noodle lengthwise and place it over the tines. Use the rake only over solid surfaces. Place the rake closest to you and push water into a drain or away from the walkway. Be sure to apply a layer of ice melt salt, like Snow Joe Premium Enviro Blend Ice Melt, for increased safety.

Snow shoveling can be back-breaking work, and gripping the cold handle for hours can cause blisters and cramps, even with gloves. This hack helps improve the ergonomics of shovel handles and keeps you from having to purchase more expensive ergonomic hand tools. TikTok creator @jmg8tor solved the problem of tired hands by spraying WD-40 inside the noodle to make the handle of the lawn tool slide on more easily. Cut the noodle to size, and you have a comfortable grip that's warm to the touch.

Putting up holiday decorations and cleaning gutters require a ladder. You're likely to encounter ice and snow, even if you follow tips on how to keep your gutters from freezing in winter. Ladders can scratch paint and cause damage, especially when gutters are wet and frozen. When icy, gutters can also cause ladders to move, creating a hazard for anyone using a ladder. Installing pool noodles on the edge of the gutter can create a soft cushion and help keep the ladder in place. Simply cut two pieces of noodle about a foot long and wrap them around the vertical rails of the ladder near the top, where it leans against the house.

If you're looking for clever DIY ideas that'll protect your plants from frost, consider a pool noodle. Both potted and outdoor plants are vulnerable against the cold because it attacks the roots from all sides. Adding a pool noodle to plant stems creates a layer of thermal insulation to prevent roots from freezing. Measure the base of your plant and cut a noodle to size. Slice it lengthwise and install it at the base of the plant. Secure the noodle with tape.

If you don't have a garage or shed for your vehicle, you'll have to clean your windshield of your car before you can go anywhere after it snows. This can be a time-consuming task. Installing noodles over your wiper blades helps protect frozen blades from cracking and falling apart. The noodle acts as a squeegee to remove ice and snow from your windshield without causing damage. Measure your wiper blades and cut a piece of noodle to match. Slide the noodle over the length of the blade. With noodles over your blades, they can clean your windows in seconds.

When you drive your car in the snow and ice and then park it in your garage, the heat from the engine and the warmer environment can cause water to form everywhere. Some garages have drains, allowing water to drain away. However, some areas don't allow drains in garages due to the risk of oil and other chemicals seeping into local waterways. Creating a garage slush dam prevents salt and water from pooling on your floor for easier cleanup. This Facebook user created a dam using noodles, a tarp, and waterproof tape. Secure the noodles with waterproof tape along the edge of a tarp to create a dam. When you get home, simply park your car over the tarp. For cleanup, back out into the driveway, pull the tarp out onto the driveway, and dump the water.

If you're like many homeowners who decorate the outside of your home with lights for the holidays and you're not lucky enough to have an outside outlet, there's a pool noodle hack that seals windows even with an extension cord running through it. To keep warm air in while still enjoying the holiday lights, start by measuring your window sill. Cut a noodle to size. Use a drill with a long drill bit or a screwdriver to cut a hole completely through the noodle. Run the cord through the hole. Place the noodle at the base of the window and shut the window as far as possible. Use a Charlie bar, like the SecurityMan Window Security Bar, or another device to prevent intruders from opening the window.