Best Way to Store an Extension Cord 

Stuff like this is what makes the internet great.

The first time I tried this, my migraines ended, I got a stupendous promotion, and I found a pot of gold under my bed. I can’t wait to put away my extension cord again!

I was doing this in the garage today and my wife said, “hey, I didn’t know you knew how to crochet”. So for all you guys doing this, just know you could crochet a scarf like nobodies business!

Thanks Dirt Farmer Jay. 50 years ago I worked for my grandfather's mechanical contracting company as an apprentice pipe fitter. At the end of each work day, it was my job to wind up the extension cords and put them in the gang box. I learned the method you showed in your video where you make the 1st loop at the middle of the cord. Unfortunately, about 20 years ago I forgot how to do this method, and my cords have been a mess ever since. Thanks for the refresher course, Dirt Farmer Jay. U da man!

You crocheted your extension cord!😊 I’ve done it with yarn forever but never would have thought about an extension cord. Thank you!

Wow. I absolutely never thought I'd be this excited about winding a cord up.

Having lived on a sailboat for many years I prefer to coil my extension cords like I would coil rope. You just have to feel the natural twist of wires within the cord and wrap it in equal loops hand to hand, not over your arm which throws in unnatural twists. As you feed it hand to hand your fingers easily twist out unnatural bends until you end up with a soft coil, not one that is trying to buck in all directions. This is easily hung up or stored in a box with other cords. It is a lot faster because you are coiling it at the same time as straightening it out. An attached length of string is simply tied in a bow to keep it together or, again attached, velcro cord fasteners. Each to his own. Never-the-less this was a well documented video.

Like others here have mentioned, my father also taught me this trick over 50 years ago. I haven't used it lately and your video has rekindled my interest in using it again. I had forgotten about plugging the two ends together first, so now I won't waste time remembering that when I start using this method again. Thanks, Jay!

This has been in my feed for years. Today’s the day.

I like the way he explains himself. Very definitive and speaks with confidence. Subscribed!

I agree with the fellow before me This is what makes the internet great. Thank you Farmer Jay. 72 years old retired mechanic I love these tips God bless

Been doing this since I was in my early 20s! I'm 63 now, and still works for me! Thanks for showing this to those who didn't know!

Thanks Dirt Farmer Jay for showing me how to do this. My Grandfather was a carpenter and as soon as I saw your video I flashed back to see his cords bundled in his old wooden tool box. He died in '89 when I was barely out of high school and I never asked him how or why he did his cords this way. Now I know. Can't wait to get home and do my cords like this. Great video! :)

Thanks Jay, We used to use this method in rock climbing and repelling since you could throw the entire rope off a cliff and have no worries that it would unravel without any problems. I also worked in the construction trades for years and my brother and I would always "roll up" our cords this way. Since we worked for ourselves we never had to worry about a boss losing his mind because we did it differently than everyone else. It sure made unraveling cords in the morning easier and quicker. By the way, it saves you time because while everyone else is trying to get all of their cords unraveled you're already working. It just takes a little practice to become very good at it.

Jay, you saved my day…I’ve seen this done by truck drivers and rope but, they went so fast I couldn’t pick it up. Now, with your guided and slower chain wrapping, I believe I got it, if not, I have your video as a reference. I’ll follow your example and practice until I get it perfect. A BIG thank you😊

I had seen this method used back in the seventies, but never knew how or why it was done this way. Thanks so much for the education!

I saw a guy with a cord wrapped this way however didn't have a chance to ask him how it was done. That was probably 20 years ago. Finally found out how to do it from you. Thanks, Farmer Jay

I always use a figure-of-eight coil to keep the kinks out, but your way is way faster! I love that a series of half hitches solves it. (The right knot is the solution to most problems :-) I saw this years ago, forgot where I saw it and wished I'd practiced it. Glad I found you again! That'll extend the life of your cord too - less "work hardening" of the copper from bending it tightly. Thanks!

I’ve been doing this for several years, after learning it from my old boss. Great technique! Appreciate you sharing this!

I was taught that cord wrangle back in 1982 working on a job site by an oldtimer security guard that served in the navy. Glad to see it being taught here great job

I learned this trick 40 years ago, but I have long since forgotten how to do it! So now I have relearned it and hopefully I will remember now. Thanks!

Dang Jay!... I wish I knew about this method years ago! I could have saved myself a lot of aggravation through the years. You can bet I’ll be using this method from here on !

Back in 1980 I was a senior in high school and worked for a live theater. The head carpenter showed me how to do this and we used it all the time. Since then I had forgotten how to wind it and I can't believe I just found it again. Thanks so much.

I love this. I have had multiple people show me this over the years and I always forget how to do it. I'm going to watch this then go practice when I get near my cords so I wont forget again. I spend more time untangling 100 footers then recoiling them than it takes to to the task at hand sometimes. Thanks.

I was taught this method while in the Army and everyone used it that I know of. But, after decades, I'd forgotten just how to get started. Thanks for the refresher, the talk through, the repeats and the explanation of the whys concerning the hows. That's proper instruction!

I had forgotten how to store these extension cords.. thank you for the refresher! *have been using this method for years!*

I've been chain braiding rope for years but I never thought of doing it with cord. This is amazing, I'll be doing this right away.

Thanks, I've been struggling with cords for 50 years, no more!

Glad someone put this on RU-vid. I'm 41 now, learned this when I was 15, installing landfill liners. We only used 100' cords. Same thing when I was in commercial roofing. Thanks for teaching people.

I watched this video a long time ago and finally had to chance to apply the technique. It works like a charm. Just wanted to say Thanks!

I have been around construction, carpenters, for over 30 years and YOU of all people in the world FINALLY taught me how to do this! Thank you! My 2021 is starting off to a great start! (By the way my 1st time doing this was with a 50 ft cord that's been in a bundled mess 😬)

Learned this in 78' while working for a master carpenter in a theater. My dad was a carpenter and I learned a lot from him, but all of the tricks I learned from doing theater carpentry I've found really helpful. We mostly used it for rope, but we also used it for electric cables suspended above a work table in the center of the shop.

He just crocheted that thing! Genius man.

I've been doing that loop, without doubling the cord in half, for about 30 years. That is a pretty good improvement. It's the first time I've seen anyone else outside my company, where I learned it, has used that loop-knot. Well done.

Called a daisy chain. Don’t know why. Carpenter here and I’ve been doing this for 50 years. Thanks for sharing.

My dad taught me that when I was a kid. He had several 100 ft cords hung up on his truck when he built cabinets.

I just coiled my 100 foot extension cord yesterday, I’m gonna use this on that same cord today. Thanks!

Awesome. Thanks for sharing. I just tried this for the first time in my life with a brand new 12 gauge x 50 foot cord. It works great

I was about to spend $99 on a retractable extension cord in a housing. You just saved me tons. Thank you!

So helpful! I was struggling so much with a 100 ft extension cord while using our new electric mower. Thank you!

I know this is a older video,but works nonetheless. Its people like you that can do simple so well that it makes me miss my Dad. Thank you for sharing. Take care.

I am partially disabled & female with almost zero “handyman” type skills. In other words I struggle just hammering in a nail. I DID THIS! 25ft then 100ft cords! Omg’sh too simple & so much benefit! THANK YOU! Now I’m off to binge on the rest of your videos!

Ty very much DirtFarmer Jay! I'm 51 years old and my cousin told me about this method 20 years ago, but I wanted to continue to do it my way, which was the "WRONG WAY!" Old dogs can learn new tricks!

Jay thanks so much! I just untangled a 100’ cord to use and then looped it for storage using your method. MUCH better!

Firefighters and Rescue squads store all their webbing the same way. Quickly releases the length and both working ends are in your hand. Nice video, never thought of using it for electrical cords.

The way you showed the first loop w yo face thru it, helpped me learn, cheers thanks man!

I'm 74 years old and always wanted to learn this method. Your right wrapping around your arms them throwing out when you want to use it takes 5 to 20 minutes to unravel with a hundred foot cord like I have thanks again😊

At the job I recently retired from, one of the guys tried this approach to cord management. I worked as a millwright in a steel mill's crane repair department. The gentleman insisted on knitting the cords as you described. It all looked good until we went to use them during very cold winter conditions. When the cords were put to use all the loops that were used to gather them up, imparted a myriad of trip and fall hazzards. We couldn't make the cords lay flat. This would be bad enough on the ground but we worked 125' or more up on the areas cranes travel in called runways. Even with harnesses it was too dangerous.

What a great tip, my garage ext.cords are going to love it.

Mate !! been rolling cords for twenty five years, and I love to learn new things ( even at my age lol )Thx i'm gonna try this ..

I worked with my older cousin framing houses during the summer. I remember him showing me how to do this but had forgotten how. Glad I ran across this, I've been an around the arm in a circle guy.

Thank you for your patient and clear explanation. Unlike others who have posted similar videos, I could actually follow your instructions, and duplicate your actions.

We need people like you to teach the younger generation. They mostly know nothing.

Thanks a million Jay! I remember my Dad rolling up the extension cords like that. I am 57 now, this technique has evaded me for years. I just simply forgot how to do it. You reminded me of the way he did it. That means a lot to me to know how to do this again. Thank you so much!

Ever since I saw this video I've been knotting my cords just like this. What an improvement.

Hi Jay, I've got to share this with ya, as soon as I saw you, I got choked up because you reminded me of a younger version of my Dad. He passed a few years ago, but taught me so very much throughout my life about everything. We worked on cars together, home improvements, sports, adventures, and so on. I was always his helper/assistant. I've really missed having that amazing knowledge in my life to call at any time when needed. As a married Mom of teenagers, I even called him at 1:00am and he answered the phone right away. My teenage son and I had run up to an am/pm to get some snacks and for some crazy reason the horn on the car started blasting and I couldn't get it to stop. I knew my Dad would know exactly how to help. I told my son lets call Papa he will know what to do. I told him the problem and he suggested doing a couple things getting in and out of the car using the key and sure enough, the car stopped within 20 seconds. So what I'm saying is, that I am so excited to have you to look to for answering my misc questions. My husband can fix pretty much anything having to do with wood and much more he's a carpenter. But now I also have you to turn to for my questions too. Thanks for putting yourself out in the world to help others. Anne Cardosa PS Here's my first question for ya. Do you have a video on how to take a chandelier that was made for hard wiring into a ceiling and change the wiring to make it a plug-in instead? I want to add a super long cord and run it, across the ceiling, down the wall, and plug it into a wall? I live in an apartment and can't hard wire any lighting but want upscale lighting. Any advice you could give me would be AMAZING. Thanks again!

We stored our electrical cords like this when I was first in the Fire Dept. in 77, I always thought it was pretty stupid and it was. We switched to reels about 40 years ago way better.

When I was a kid my dad was a carpenter and I could never figure out how he would make his extension cords behave the way you just showed us... thanks Jay, that'll sure coming in handy!

I learned this as the "electrician's coil" but without folding it in half first. You just made something that is twice as good as an electrician's coil. thanks.

Thanks Jay for this "AWESOME" tip on storing electrical cords. I've been winding my electrical cords wrong, all along, for 45 years as demonstrated here after watching your video. I guess its NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN as they say.

Greetings from the UK I’ve never heard of this method it’s so easy! I just tried it on one of my 80 foot rubber cords it’s so much easier!.

Someone did this to a cord at work and I had no idea how to un or re-do it. Added 15 min to the job. Now, I know, thanks for showing it.

My now departed father taught me (through watching him) how to roll a long cord like that. Over the years, I forgot the complete process. You sir, refilled in the blanks. You're hired!

TOTALLY helpful, thank you!! It took me getting SOO pissed off from my 100’ cord being in a total knot AFTER wrapping it around my arm and palm like you described first🤦🏼‍♀️, to inspire me to search for this magical way to wrap a cord. Now I can only hope to show off my skillz in front of any hard working man!

See... it's simple stuff like THIS that makes lives BETTER! Thanks Jay!!

I think it's pretty cool, different from the old traditional method. Looks more fun and it's quite creative. I'll try it, and see how we go. I won't make a judgement on it until I've actually tried it. Great job.

Taught this years ago as a carpenter's helper. This IS the best way to wrap a cord. People laugh at me when I do this but are amazed when they do it themselves. I DARE anyone to tangle the cord when this is done correctly. It is like crochet

Thank you for making this video, been trying to show my husband this for years...

I am 68 years old, this is the best tip I've heard for dealing with these damn Extension chords!!!! (Never too late to learn)

A friend showed me this a few years ago. I may be exaggerating a little, but it was life changing.

Now that’s life skills that need to be taught more often! Thank you Dirt Farmer Jay!

Thank you for taking the time to explain and demonstrate. I have reels I use to roll them up, but before, I was guilty of using my arm to twist them around. I’ve even seen this done, just never had it demonstrated. I’ve saved this video and will use it to give it a try. Thank you, again!

Thanks Dirt Farmer, that seriously helped me out!

I learned that method of cord winding, many years ago when I was actively playing in a band. And having to set up, break down and transport sound equipment.

Thank you so much. I just tried it on five cords, even my wife is impressed by how it looks now.

Never would have thought of crocheting with an extension cord! :)

This feel like a magic show with a happy ending.

Thank you brother! I’ve been doing it wrong for years. Extremely helpful! 😊

Great video! I’ve seen cords stored like this before, but never paid close attention to how it was done. Now I know. Thanks.

I just wrapped a 100 footer. It took 45 minutes just to straighten it out. Now it’s hanging up nicely. Thank you brother

I was a union painter here in Hawaii for about 25 yrs. and was taught this method by someone somewhere at sometime while in the trades. Also., paint sprayers can have lines that are over a 150 feet long and that line is almost never removed from the sprayer once it is attached and there is a very simple but completely unknown way (by most non pros) to wind the hose so that it also does not get tangled up when stretching it out. And believe me, untangling a spray line is a LOT more difficult than an extension cord.

I've seen contractors do this with their cords, and I never knew how they did it. Thanks!

I saw this from a janitor in high school, but I never learned how to do it. Awesome, thanks!!!

I've watched a bunch of people with videos on how to store their extension cords. I think these guys probably haven't watched your video on this topic; probably because they already KNOW how to store an extension cord (or so they think). I've NEVER seen anyone do it like you do, DirtFarmer Jay. You've got the right way to do it, and you've explained it thoroughly and clearly. Thanks for making these videos. I'm still having trouble storing my extension cord as quickly as you did in the video. 🤔

i have used this method for the last 40 years on long electric cords and for rope. it works great.

I've seen this method employed by audio/electrical techs and they swear by it. However, no one video or explanation was as clear or as easy to follow as yours. This technique is incredibly powerful for keeping wires organized and undamaged. Not to mention clearly superior due to the stability of the coil and the fact that you can use just the length you need for a particular task regardless of the length of the cord, which anyone that does any work with extension cords knows is a huge pain in the ass. Just wanted to tell you how good of a video I thought this was. I liked you left in your "tongue twisters" as well, makes you more relatable to the viewer. Just a great piece of content. Thank you!

Saw this a lot but always tought it was a more complicated task, finally somebody explained how to do it.

It’s not for every job! But for small areas it’s an AWESOME idea.

You explained how to do this really well, thank you.

Great tip dirt farmer jay. Thank you

I have a hundred foot 12 gauge extension that I store coiled in a big bucket that's the same color as the extension cord. Easy to carry around and always ready to use, as the two working ends I have made easily accessible and I can just pull them out and put into use. The bucket has a secure, strong handle and can be hung up out of the way. My cord is easy to find, is safe from harm or getting dirty.

Thanks so much for posting this, I've seen cords done like this but never knew how to do it myself, one headache gone. Much appreciated!

My dad taught me this trick when I was 8 years old. I'm 57 now. I call it the "Daisy Chain". Though I think it more resembles a half clove-hitch knot.

I soooo appreciate this video. Rolling up extension cords has been a pain in the behind for years. I’ve always, as you showed from the beginning, wrapped it around the base of my thumb and arm. Thank you so much for this.

You sir are what I call a modern-day genius. You have just earned yourself a like new subscriber for life!!! Thank you!!

OMG I have been looking for a video on how to do this for a LONG time! Passing it on for sure.

My pops used to work in residential framing he's been doing this cord move for 50 years now, works great some guys don't like it

Thanks so much Jay. I've been spring cleaning and storing long ext cords in my basement has been frustrating as they always unwind. I really appreciate your time to make this video!

Every year I watch this video so I can put my Christmas lights away neatly 🥰.

Oh my goodness what a great tip!!! I am going to fix all my cords ASAP.