Sure, you've got the motivation to finally tackle that mess of cords behind your TV or under your desk. But when you head to the checkout with all of those amazing (read: expensive) uni-tasking cord control solutions, you might not have the cash. Instead, look around your pantry, laundry room, kids' toy bin and—yep—even the trash can to find ways to wrangle and label that mess of wires.
So you want to control your cords, but you don't have a ton of cash? No problem.
First, check out our list of 10 Cord Control Solutions for Under $10. Then, if you can find anything, grab around for one of the following 10 household cord wrappers:
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Why leave out cable ties? I keep them around the house for a zillion uses, including attaching luggage tags and to securely close luggage in a way that does not thwart the TSA. However, I understand they can also be used to tie computer cables.
I have used white PVC pipe tucked up against a baseboard to run cables to an outlet.
Along with twist-ties, you may also have a package of zip ties laying around. These are handy in the garden for training vines and staking peonies.
Wrist sweat bands! I use them on things we use every day like hairdryers, straighteners etc. I was fed up of elastic bands snapping, so they're perfect!
I use bits of yarn. It's very colorful behind my tv.
Awesome ideas!
THANK YOU! People make fun of me all the time for coiling my cords like in picture 7, but it's the simplest way to keep things neat, and the best way to store anything that you're unplugging for a while. (Caveat: coiling is NOT recommended for older cords, or those that are fabric wrapped - you don't want to damage the more delicate wires. Those you can allow to make circles, then tie them off with a bit of yarn.) Also, I keep a roll of light colored spike tape around (thin gaffer tape, i.e. cotton tape that works like duct tape but doesn't leave behind the stickiness) and I run a length along my surge protector, and label what's-plugged-in-where on that. I hate messy cords...just knowing that they're there makes me cringe.
Two words... rubber bands.
old bicycle tubes can be cut to make heavy duty rubber bands....