Learn to safely wrap cords, cables, and hoses

The magazine Fine Homebuilding has an informative and season-appropriate tutorial on its website “Wrapping cords and hoses: Learn how to avoid twists and kinks that can cause damage.”

This advice is perfect for garden and air hoses and extension cords that are ready to be stored for the cold months. There are three methods described in the article: a looped bundle, a loose chain, and a reverse coil.

If the pictures in the article don’t provide you with enough information, check out the instructional video that accompanies the article.

Also, I recommend that you take a few moments and check out the whole site — you can find many more helpful how-to solutions for your home on FineHomebuilding.com.

(via Apartment Therapy: LA)

Posted by Erin on Nov 20, 2008 | Comments | Tweet This

9 comments posted

  1. Posted by Lisa F. - 11/20/2008

    Learned how to do this from DH – a carpenter. Our hoses and cords are done using the loop bundle. I find it’s an easier weight distribution when I need to move them around the basement or use the extension cord outside.

  2. Posted by Tomas - 11/20/2008

    Thank you so much for re-posting this! I use the loop method for most of my cords but the chain method looks like it would be fun to try. :)

  3. Posted by Jen C - 11/20/2008

    My dad can do the reverse coil but I’ve never been able to do it without him there. I love it. May not be the best for bundling but it sure does look cool. I don’t think the photo above does it justice.

  4. Posted by Fit Bottomed Girls - 11/20/2008

    I know how to do this, but I never do…I know I should. And now that I know it’s unsafe, I need to. Grrr.

  5. Posted by Sarah H. - 11/20/2008

    Thanks for the tutorial! I spent 30 minutes once just trying to untangle an extension cord…ugh!

  6. Posted by Another Deb - 11/20/2008

    I have done the daisy chain for many years but I also use the looping style that the author claims is “too tight”. I roll the coil from my hand under my elbow as in the top picture on the linked article.

    I fail to see how this is any tighter than a bound loop style.

  7. Posted by Bosse - 11/22/2008

    If you fly large single line kites the daisy chain is the perfect way to deal with the bridle. This way you don’t have to spend half an hour trying to untangle a huge mess before you actually can fly the kite.

  8. Posted by Meredith - 03/21/2009

    I think it’s the length of the cord that is such a bear. Thanks for the tip!

  9. Posted by Wrap Hoses and Cords Properly to Avoid Tangles and Damage [Household] · TechBlogger - 11/23/2009

    [...] Have a technique for storing awkward stuff like cabling or Christmas lights? Let’s hear about it in the comments. Wraping Cords and Hoses [via Unclutter] [...]

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