Tips for preventing extra cords and wires from becoming a tangled mess. Post your ideas.
I use an empty toilet paper tube to enclose a coiled extension cord or a long appliance cord. It shortens it while plugged in and keeps it tidy. (12/09/2004)
By Katie A.
I'm an old guitar picker, and as such we always had a lot of cords which HAD to be kept untangled. Mic cords, extension cords, speaker cable, etc. What we did is take one end of the cord in one hand, crook the elbow to about a 90 degrees, then wind the cord between hand and elbow until it was a nice, tight roll. Tie it off with the last end of the cable itself, and toss it into the case with all the rest of your cables. Next gig we didn't have to untangle all that mess. (12/10/2004)
Use a toilet paper center cardboard tube to store your extension cords - you can write on the tube so you know what's inside. Keeps your wires neat.
By tandek589 (03/01/2005)
By ThriftyFun
I saw this on another post and here's the short version of what I said there. I did this as well, used the cardboard roll. Until my father-in-law, a certified master Electrician, told me that it was a major fire hazard of which he knew personally had cost human lives.
All you need is to get a pack of zip ties. They should be in the hardware section of a place like Wal-mart. They look kinda like clear plastic twist ties. Work great and are cheap! My husband is a computer tech and always uses them. (03/01/2005)
By Becky
Rubber Bands work very well too. They are cheap, flexible, handy ,easy to store and easy to replace. (03/15/2005)
By Darween
Use velcro strips, the stick on kind. Stick a strip of the hook side to a strip of a loop side, sticky sides together, cut the strips the same length that will be long enough to go around your cords. Then roll up the cords and wrap the velcro around them and stick the velcro end on to the other side hooking it together. This also works well for hooking a cord to a microphone stand, etc.(04/30/2005)
By suzq
One of the best ways I found to fix the cord mess is at Home Depot. For $1.99, you can get this cute little plastic gripper thing that adjusts to all different sizes and holds things perfectly. If you don't want to spend the money, then just turn to the good old fashioned shoe lace from a pair of old shoes. Fold your cord up however long you want it, and then wrap the shoelace around it a few times and then tie it off (08/08/2005)
By Annette
I have found the easiest way to store these are to buy those pony tail holders from the dollar store and use them like you would a rubber band. Rubber bands tend to break easily and they rot from heat and use. The pony tail holders last forever. (08/19/2005)
By Sandy P.
Based on a previous tip via a google search I coiled my 100 foot cord into a 5 gallon bucket, with the male end in first sticking out about 3 feet so I can plug it into the wall. Then I just pull out as much female end as I need. This particular cord was getting severely tangled every time I wanted to use it so I'm pretty stoked on this idea.
I have seen some people wrap long cords up with these braided loop type constructs that can be de-looped as needed, but I can't figure out how to do it. (06/09/2007)
By Stu
There's a gadget I found at a site cablecordorganizer or organizedcablecord. I think they're better than clamps or other things that you wrap cords around. You wrap the excess cord around the gadget - the cord stays in place with a clever flap that folds down around the wrapped up cord.
By Steve
I use twisty-ties and when storing I also use baggies. For cords that I need for computer related items, I bought an over the door hanger (plastic) with clear pockets. This holds my USB cords for camcorder, camera, son's toys, mp3/ mp4 players, etc. I put these in baggies and then the holder and also label with a sticker attached to the cord - this makes it much easier to identify what equipment the cord is supposed to go to. (01/05/2008)
By Gina T.
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