My daughter was about eighteen months old when she discovered doors. She would push them and watch them slam. The sound was bad. The finger-pinching risk was worse. I needed something that worked immediately, and the baby-proofing aisle at the store was full of plastic gadgets that all had two-star reviews.

A pool noodle cost two dollars and solved the problem in under a minute.

The Pool Noodle Door Stopper

Cut a six-inch section of a pool noodle. Slice it lengthwise down one side so it opens like a hot dog bun. Slide it onto the top edge of the door—the edge farthest from the hinges, where the door meets the frame. Position it so it acts as a bumper between the door and the frame.

When the door swings shut, the foam hits the frame first and absorbs the impact. No slam. The door cannot fully close with the noodle on, which also means fingers cannot get pinched because the door never reaches the frame.

To close the door completely, just lift the noodle off. It is friction-fit—it stays on but pulls off easily when you want it to.

Where This Works Best

Interior doors—bedrooms, bathrooms, closets. It also works on the door itself instead of the top if the gap between the door and frame is wide enough. For doors that swing both ways or are extra heavy, use a longer section of noodle or double it up.

The pool noodle trick is especially good for drafty doors. The foam creates a partial seal that reduces airflow. In winter, I leave noodles on the doors to less-used rooms to keep heat in the main living area.

Other Door Tricks with a Pool Noodle

Under-door draft stopper: Cut a noodle to the width of the door, slice it lengthwise, and slide it onto the bottom of the door. It seals the gap between the door and the floor. Works better than those fabric draft snakes that shift every time you open the door.

Wall protector: Slice a noodle and slide it onto the edge of a door that swings into a wall. The foam prevents the doorknob from punching a hole in the drywall. Cheaper and less ugly than those little plastic wall bumpers.

Color Considerations

Pool noodles come in obnoxious neon colors because they are pool noodles. If you care about aesthetics, spray-paint the noodle to match your door or trim before cutting it. The paint will eventually crack where the foam flexes, but it looks fine from a few feet away. Or just embrace the neon—my daughter thought the bright pink noodle was the best thing in the house.