How do you deal with excess cable?

Author: Travon Torphy DDS  |  Last update: Saturday, January 24, 2026

Excess cable bulk makes all future cable management much more difficult. For cables you can't replace, cut down on the length by wrapping the cable on top of itself and securing it with a cable tie.

How to get rid of extra cables?

You should try to donate or recycle your extra cables. Check with your city to see if they offer electronics recycling or ask if a local thrift shop will take them.

How do you deal with cable clutter?

Untangle and sort your cables into matching piles. Use cable ties or rubber bands to roll them up neatly. Place your cords into boxes labeled by type. I repurposed old circular plastic takeout containers, as they are the right shape for coiled up cables.

How to deal with cables too long?

The best choice is to make them shorter. If you are not good at the DIY, you are suggested to buy shorter cables with the exact lenth you want or you can ask the person working at local fiber shop to cut them into shorter one which may not cost you much.

How do you hide cables that are too long?

  1. Wrangle your cords with cable ties. Velcro cable ties are cheap and easy to remove. ...
  2. Label your cables. ...
  3. Buy new (shorter) cables. ...
  4. Conceal those TV cords. ...
  5. Hide surround speaker wires by skirting the floor molding or laying down a rug. ...
  6. Mount your power strip to get cables off the floor.

What to do with Excess Cable? (#656)

What to do with extra cables?

Here's What to do With Your Old Chargers and Cables
  1. Retail Drop-Off.
  2. Recycle.
  3. Give to a Friend or a Family Member.
  4. Donate to STEM programs.

How to manage cables behind TV?

Clips, zip ties, adhesive hooks, and coiled sleeves can all be used to corral TV cables together into a slim enclosure. The best way to put this to use is by pinning them along the baseboard behind the TV or the back of the piece of furniture that it sits on or above.

Should you throw away cables?

Radu Vrabie, founder and marketer at Power Bank Expert, always makes it a point to recycle old wires. “Chargers, cables, and old wires shouldn't be thrown in the trash can along with other types of home waste,” he says.

How do I get rid of unwanted cables?

Think about repairing, passing them on or even selling them.
  1. Repair cables and leads. A soldering iron or screwdriver may be all it takes to repair a broken cable or fit a new plug to a power lead. ...
  2. Donate old cables and leads. ...
  3. Recycle cables for cash.

How to declutter charging cables?

We love the multicolor Velcro One-Wrap Ties, which wrap tightly around your cords to bundle them together. You can create a color-coding system, to help you identify the cable by device type or by family member. Once the cables are bundled, place them in bags for storage, again by charger, device type, or person.

How do I get rid of cable and still have TV?

You just need to a good internet connection and the apps built into your smart TV or running on an inexpensive streamer, such as a Roku or Amazon Fire TV. They'll give you access to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, Max, Hulu and more, as well as numerous free TV streaming options.

How to tidy cables in a living room?

How to hide TV wires – 5 ways to eliminate messy cords from your living room for a clean and seamless look
  1. Invest in a media console.
  2. Opt for a cable management kit.
  3. Cover them with surface raceways.
  4. Conceal the wires in the wall.
  5. Create a decorative feature.

How do you bunch up cables?

Applying the Bundle Method

Wrap the cable around itself, using your fingers as a guide for wrapping. Use four fingers for this process. Loop the cord around the bundle. When you've looped the cord around your base hand a few times, pull it off, trying to keep it together as you do.

How to keep cables tidy in a drawer?

The easiest way to keep your cables from mingling with each other is to tie them -- wrap them loosely around your hand, twist the cord around the middle a few times, and then slip the loose end through the loop (here's an Instructables guide on how to do this).

How do you manage a lot of cables?

Here are some of my favorite ways to organize cables and cords.
  1. Fasten Cables to Walls With Coaxial Cable Staples or Tubing. ...
  2. Guide Cords Along Delicate Surfaces With Command Strips. ...
  3. Secure Bundles of Cables With Zip Ties or One-Wraps. ...
  4. Use Painter's Tape in a Pinch. ...
  5. Set Up Enough Power Strips. ...
  6. Label Your Cords.

How do you manage unused cables?

Try to group your cables by type and function, such as power, data, or fan cables, and use cable ties, clips, or velcro straps to secure them together. Avoid crossing or twisting your cables and keep them as straight and neat as possible.

How do you hide too many cables?

9 Easy Ways to Hide Unsightly TV & Computer Wires
  1. Conceal Cords Behind the Couch. ...
  2. Place Wires in Decorative Baskets. ...
  3. Utilize Small Clear Clips on the Backs of Furniture. ...
  4. Hide Wires in Plain Sight with a Cable Raceway. ...
  5. Slide Cords into a Drawer. ...
  6. Organize Them Behind Makeshift Books. ...
  7. Utilize Cable Sleeves for Cord Management.

What do I do with cables?

If cables are in good condition, they can be donated for reuse or sold. If the item is not reusable, you can recycle it. Anything with a plug, battery or cable can be recycled. Find a recycling point near you (opens in a new window).

How to get rid of extra wires?

There are some electronics stores that take these types of items for recycling, including Best Buy, so consider dropping the cords off there. Finally, if you don't have a Best Buy near you call your waste disposal company and ask them where to drop them off for proper disposal and recycling.

How to deal with long cords?

Ties and wraps One method of cord organization is to use nylon cable ties. Plastic nylon cable ties can be cut to fit however many cords you want to pull together. Cable ties come in a variety of sizes, so you should be able to find one that fits your needs.

What happens if a cable is too long?

This voltage drop occurs because wires have resistance. Long lengths of wire have more resistance than short lengths. Thus, long lengths of wire will cause a larger voltage drop than shorter lengths.

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