Does It Matter How Your Cords Are Bundled?

Yes, it actually does! And in quite a few ways. This is what I found when researching for this article. The concept can be applied to many different situations and crafts, from water conservation practices to better computer cable management.

I will share with you some of my favorite discoveries and solutions in this small but hopefully helpful guide:

Bundling cords to save space

This is probably the number one reason for using cable ties. The example below shows how I normally tie my power cord into 4 separate bundles. Although this step might not seem necessary, it offers two potential advantages:

• It prevents the cord from bending at a single point and breaking or damaging where it’s most vulnerable;
• It reduces the space needed to store it.

This is especially helpful when I’m traveling, and there’s not much room to pack stuff in my luggage. In the example below, the cord fits perfectly into my laptop bag with all 4 bundles tied together!

Bundling cords for organization purposes

Cables ties are also really useful for organizing your cords:

• To reduce the number of cable ends that can be seen;
• To prevent tangling and make it easier to pull out only one cord.

For example, you might want to tie up all those devices’ chargers (e.g., cell phone or tablet) which you connected to a power strip. Therefore, you can “hide” the power strip behind a bookshelf or under your desk, which makes it easier to access all devices without dealing with too many cables ends at once.

Bundling cords for safety reasons

This is probably the most common reason for using cable ties nowadays. I do not own any pets myself, but I was advised to do so by friends and family members who have pets at home. The example below is a good illustration:

If you don’t bundle cables like these, the risk of your pet (e.g., cat) getting tangled might be higher; imagine it running around with this cable tie in its mouth! And, the situation will only get worse if your pet chews through the cable tie.

You can also use ties to secure all types of cords into position, keeping them from becoming a tripping hazard or being exposed to potential harm. For example, you can bundle extension cord(s) under your carpets and place the carpet back against the wall (just like I did in the example below).

Another great use case for keeping your cords safe and tidy is to secure them under or around heavy furniture. Imagine having your lamp cord exposed on the floor, right next to where someone might trip over it and break it. This could potentially be a safety hazard and also damage your cord’s insulation (and/or the insulation of devices connected to it).

Extra tips for using ties effectively

• Don’t forget to unplug your cords before bundling them: that way, you avoid damaging them, and you reduce the risk of fire or electric shock;
• Recycle old ties: this is a great alternative to buying new ones every time and, in many cases, it’s both cheaper and more environmentally friendly;
• You can buy reusable ties that you can bend or cut to meet your specific needs. If you don’t want to recycle old ones, then you could definitely consider buying some of these!