How to wrap cords and hoses

Wrapping cords and hoses

Learn how to avoid twists and kinks that can cause damage

by Tucker Windover

We've all done this or have seen it done on the job site, but coiling cords too tightly introduces twists and kinks and should be avoided.

Despite all the cordless tools that keep showing up on job sites, air hoses and extension cords still need to be rolled out every morning and wrapped up at the end of the day. Coiling them tightly for storage introduces twists and kinks that can cause damage and make them harder to manage around the work zone.

To keep a medium-gauge electrical cord in good condition and to avoid coiling, I drape the line back and forth over my hand until I have a few feet left. Then I tie off the bundle with the remaining cord and create a loop to hang it with. For heavy-gauge electrical cords that are too bulky to drape and bundle, I weave a daisy chain, which then can be folded into a manageable size for transportation and storage.

For polyurethane air hoses, I avoid twisting the line by folding every other loop in the opposite direction. This method requires less time to coil the lines, and it allows them to be uncoiled easily. No matter what method is used for wrapping and storing hoses and cords, it’s important to avoid kinking or creasing the line or housings. For that reason, I avoid wrapping cords too tightly or hanging them from nails for storage. Instead, I hang cords on 2x blocks of wood fixed to the wall.

Drape electrical cords in a loose bundle

Double the cord. Collect the male and female plug ends together. Drape them over your hand, and begin looping the doubled cord back and forth. This prevents the cord from twisting. Note: The bumpy appearance of this cord is evidence that it was mishandled severely in the past.

Tie the cord. With a few feet remaining, I begin circling the cord around the middle to tie off the looped bundle. I don’t pull the loops as tight as I can; that puts unnecessary strain on the cord.

Create a loop for storing. Finish by passing the doubled end through the center of the bundle. This prevents the cord from unraveling and provides a loop to hang the cord from. Note: This method of tying off the cord might not be recommended by the manufacturer because it could eventually distort the shape. In my experience, the damage is minimal, and the payoff in convenience is worth the risk.

Wrap it up with Velcro

Weave heavy-gauge cords into a chain

Start with a simple knot. Double the cord, and tie a knot in the end with the loop. To begin the braid, I pass my hand through the loop and pull the doubled cord back through. This creates another loop that I pull the cord through. And so on.

Keep the loops loose. I keep loops medium in size and avoid pulling them tight to prevent kinks from developing in the cord (photo left). When coiled, the cord can be folded for ease of handling and storage (photo right).

Air hoses require a reverse coil

Every other coil is reversed. Begin coiling the air hose by looping it once at one end. To reverse the second coil, bring the loop in so that the line exits behind the second coil.

Strap for storage. While a scrap of electrical wire can be used to secure the bundle, I prefer a Velcro cloth strap, which comes with many cords or can be purchased separately at home stores (click the "Read More" button above for details).

Magazine extra: Watch video of Tucker demonstrating the three techniques he uses to wrap his cords and hoses.