The Hot Glue Trick That'll Keep Your Wires Where They Belong

Are you tired of buying extra products to keep your wires in place or out of sight? If you have been battling errant cord clips or falling cord covers, check out this simple hack that can keep your wiring and cords out of the way once and for all. The only tool you need is probably hiding in your craft box: Time to grab a hot glue gun.

You can use a hot glue gun to keep certain wires in place. Simply put glue on the back of the wire and press it against the wall, holding it down for a few seconds until the bond begins to harden. And that's it! The only caveat here is that you can only do this trick with low-voltage wire in order to be safe.

This DIY is handy as it ensures the wires stay in place and out of sight. Since it doesn't use nails or tacks, no holes are added to your walls. When you no longer want them attached to the walls, you can simply pop off the cooled glue from the wall, removing the wire.

When beginning this project, there are some important things to remember as you glue down your wire. First, don't do this on wallpaper. If you do, you risk ripping the wall covering should you make a mistake or want to remove the wire at a later time. Instead, glue the wire against the bottom of the baseboard or door trim near the wallpaper.

You also want to move relatively fast when doing this. The glue dries quickly, so plan out where you want to attach the cord before starting. This is especially important if you have a long length you're trying to attach, such as an ethernet cable that needs to go across the room.

Lastly, if you make a mistake or change your mind about placement down the road, the wire can be easily popped off from the wall without damaging it. However, if you feel the wire pulling at your paint or wall covering as you try to remove it, stop tugging and grab a hair dryer. Use it to reheat the glue and loosen its grip, making it easier to take off without ripping away any paint. 

It's very important that you only use this hack with low-voltage wires in order to keep yourself and your home safe. Low-voltage wires are ones that carry 50 volts or less. 

Examples of low-voltage wires include phone lines and thermostat, doorbell, cable, and internet wiring. You can usually tell if something is low-voltage by its wire casing. These types of wires often use a thinner, more bendable coating than their high-voltage counterparts, which often use a thick PVC covering. (For example, think of how thick your fridge cord is.) If your wire isn't pliable and it's covered in an extra-thick sheathing, chances are it's a high-voltage wire. However, you should always check the labeling on your wiring or device to make sure, even if you're pretty certain it's low-voltage. If the wiring uses over 50 volts, it's best not to attempt this hack.