The Genius Hack You Need To Store & Use Long Extension Cords Without The Hassle

If you tend to do a lot of work around the house that requires a lengthy electrical cord, then you surely have an extension cord or two. Extension cords are like the microwave popcorn of our generation — they make life easier. You can connect a device that's far from a wall without having to look for an extra outlet, even from outside. 

The biggest mistake people make with extension cords is forgetting that, just like any other electrical device, they can stop working if damaged. A common reason for such damage is improper storage. Those of us who are too lazy to properly fold the wires after each use and just twist and toss them somewhere aren't doing them any favors. Extension cords are incredibly helpful until the wires inside are broken or damaged due to poor storage habits. Every day you bend and twist the cord the wrong way, you're only exacerbating the issue. Damaged cords can consequently damage the devices they get plugged into. Moreover, a damaged cord stands the risk of igniting and catching fire. 

One of the best ways to store your extension cord so it stays tangle-free is by using the bucket method which will preserve your precious extension cord by wrapping it at a suitable circumference that won't threaten its integrity. That way, you get to keep using it for years on end.

For the bucket method of storing your extension cord, you'll need an empty, clean paint bucket and a cutting tool. That's it. The idea is to build a DIY house for your cord to minimize handling which could lead to the cable being damaged. The best cutting tool you can use for this would be one that cuts through plastic easily so this $40 electric oscillating multi-tool from Walmart is your guy.

The first thing you want to do is cut a decently sized hole at the base of the side of the bucket. This is where the plug of the extension cord will pass through. Stick it through, and then carefully fold the rest of the cable around inside the bucket in a spiral. Once the entire length of cable is in, you can now plug it in from the lower hole when you need electricity and draw it from the bucket when you need to connect something. The bucket is acting like a hose reel, except for an electrical cord. The cable stays folded and secure, and you don't have to spend any money to do so, unless, of course, you don't have a spare bucket. In that case, Walmart's $8 5-gallon paint bucket should do the trick.