DIY Hacks would be nice if all your electronic devices worked without extension cords. But most of them require these cables to run. Extension cords come in various lengths, ranging from a few feet to over 100 feet. So, they can allow you to connect your devices away from electrical outlets, making them popular in homes worldwide.
Unfortunately, that means there can be a tangle of extension cords in your home if you need to discover how to organize them. This article provides valuable tips you can use to learn how to manage these cords and avoid the mess.
1. Put the Extension Cord In A Bucket
If you need power and the nearest outlet is far from your devices, it is likely time to use an extension cable bucket. This container is a 5-gallon bucket with a 2-inch hole near the bottom. If you look inside it, you see an extension cord loosely coiled. How does an extension cable bucket help you to organize the cord? You stick the male end of the coiled cord out of the small hole to reach your electricity outlet.
Much of the cable remains safely inside the bucket. There are no tangles, but you still enjoy using your devices without power issues. As you can see, this is a simple method, but it works flawlessly. However, untangling the cable is significant to run high-power tools for long periods. There can be no more straightforward way to avoid potential fire hazards than this.
2. Use the Over-Under Coil Method
The over-under coil is a popular alternative. It prevents damage to your cord. Using the over-under method involves making loop after loop on top of one another. It bends the cable out of its natural curve. So, handling the cord over time can take time and effort. However, given that this method works with the cable’s natural curve, it enables your line to rest stress-free.
If you have mastered the over-under method of DIY Hacks, you can appreciate that it is a handy time-saver and a great way to impress bystanders. If you do it properly, you can throw a 70-foot coiled cord in a straight line without moving to a different place.
When considering the under-over coil, remember it does not come naturally. So, you will only enjoy using it to organize your extension cables if you have gotten used to it. Remember that you require cord wraps if you prefer storing the cords in a coil.
3. Chain-Linking
The chain link is another excellent method of DIY Hacks, especially if you want to leave the cord ready to use or have no budget for cord wraps and other related materials. You will not buy anything, but it takes a little practice to master it.
Begin by folding the cable in half. Ensure accurate measurement, and then loop the half end through to form a loose knot. You can create several loose knots. Once done, store it in a 5-gallon bucket or on a wall hook.
The link chain method has many advantages but can leave many twists in the cable that might never stretch out correctly if the line stays in a cold place for extended durations.
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4. Keep Short Cords in Your Tool Box
Some extension cables are so short that they can fit in your toolbox. Whether the cords might reach the nearest outlet is not the issue. You will need them at different times. Keep a few in your toolbox for backup when the situation calls for one.
5. Install Cable Raceways
Installing raceways can also help you to organize and hide your cords. These narrow plastic strips have an open channel that sticks to furniture edges, baseboards, walls, and other surfaces.
Whenever you want to organize your cords, run them through the channel between the electrical appliance and the power source. Attach the raceway’s back to your desired surface and thread the cables into the channel. Once done, you can hide the cords by covering them with the raceway’s top.
For the best experience and the safe use of the extension cords, select the right size and type of raceway. Capacity and widths usually range from domed style for holding two or more cables behind the TV to closed narrow styles for a single USB cord.
Also, check whether your raceway is paintable. Most are black or white. You can find paintable ones to mingle with the colors already existing in your home.
Think about your raceway mounting. If you want the small ones that accommodate one or two cords, you will likely use adhesive tapes to attach them. For larger ones, you may need to drill holes for screws.
Summing Up of DIY Hacks
Extension cables are must-have family tools, meaning getting messy cables at home is a common problem. Fortunately, you now know the proper and straightforward ways to fix it. Tips like putting the cable in a bucket, using the under-over coil method, and installing raceways will eliminate messy cords from your floor and help keep your home safe.
So, choose and implement a way that suits you and stay in a safe and tidy home.
