Even outside the house, you still have to deal with devices requiring electricity, such as power tools. Now, if you are actively using your garage, especially if you also use it as a workshop, it’s not surprising to see wires and cords all around. Probably, you struggle with electric extension cords that come in different shapes, lengths, and sizes. The problem is, how should you keep them organized?
You must have a system to keep cords and tools organized, whether inside the house or in the garage. To help you, check out the following tips on keeping your garage tidy and safe. This will also help you save time when looking for particular cords when you need them.
1. Bucket Them Up
This is appropriate if you need power for your DIY project, and the nearest outlet seems kilometers away. Using an extension cord bin or bucket will help in this case. So, what exactly is it? It’s nothing more than a bucket that has two inches whole at the bottom. Then, you loosely coil the extension cord inside. Make sure that the male end sticks out less than a meter, just long enough for it to reach the outlet.
2. Use A Bottle
You can repurpose old water bottles (or your baby’s) and some rubber bands by utilizing them to pack medium-sized electric extension cords. All you have to do is strap the cords using the rubber bands. If you don’t have them and have no idea where to find them, there is always an online solution! You can find cheap and customizable choices on online shops. With these, you can label the cords properly. It’s best to write down their type and length, so you can save time unraveling these cords to find what you need.
3. Make Use of Zip Ties
Don’t you know that you can also use your extra zip ties to organize your extension cords? You can effectively wind them up using them. And when labeling these cords, just use looping paper key tags. Put them around the zip ties and write the usage and length of the cords on them. Then, store the arranged cords in a labeled box or tote.
4. Keep the Short Ones in Your Toolbox
4. Keep the Short Ones in Your ToolboxIt is also advisable to store short electrical cords in the boxes of commonly used tools for convenience. The boxes don’t have to be near the outlet. What is important is these cords are readily accessible whenever you have to use any of them. That’s why it’s not a waste of space. To improve versatility, you can buy a 14-gauge cord with several plug-in spots.
5. Utilize the Unused Wall
Another way to organize electric extension cords in your garage is by hanging them on a wall-mounted rack. This ensures easy access to the cords whenever you need them. Plus, it prevents the cords from taking up space on the floor. Moreover, you can keep power strips and connectors in a basket above the rack.
6. Create a Scrap Wood Reel for Extension Cords
You can also make reels for small to medium-sized extension cords. These are helpful to prevent the cords from being messily entangled since you can control the length of cords to unwind. For this project, you can use scrap plywood or lumber. All you need to do is cut some scoops on the wood’s sides. You can use a router to round the edges if you want. These reels are good for storage, as you can place them on a shelf or even in a box or bucket. Nevertheless, be cautious of heat buildup when operating a high load.
7. Use Hooks
U-hooks are handy for managing cords by mounting them vertically on the wall and coiling cords onto these hooks. Stagger the hooks a little to avoid tangling. Then, you can secure these cords using zip ties. In case the ties are small, label each with paper key tags.
8. Reuse a Rotating Tie Rack
Organize electric extension cords by recycling a rotating tie rack. You can also use a belt organizer. It’s better if each cord has its own hook. Also, hang it somewhere that is not accessible to kids. For easy identification of the cords, use different colored electrical tape.
9. Box Those Cords
Hiding cords is vital to maintain a tidy and aesthetically inviting space in your garage. It is advisable to use a cable management box to lessen the appearance of multiple plugs and power strips. You can put one under the table or desk to minimize visual clutter.
10. Utilize a Cord Wrap
A cord wrap is a simple yet efficient tool for managing cords. To do this, start by holding both ends of the cord and wrapping it into loops. In the end, each loop should be the size of a beach ball. You should wrap the remaining part around the center of the coiled extension cord and pass it through to produce a small loop. A lot of professionals prefer this technique since it is efficient and quick. It will allow you to hang several cords from a single hook. A cord wrap will help you keep the cords tangle-free and organized.