Don't Throw Those "Extra" Cables Away!
You know that old household-cleaning tip that says if you have
not used something in three months you should throw it out? That
tip was obviously created long before the computer and digital
age! Never throw away a cable just because you don't think you
have used it in the last three months.
If you are the non-technical person in the home who happens to
have the challenge of keeping the house cleaned and organized,
cables probably vex you. Just because you have discovered a box
full of them - obviously not being used at this time - in a
closet does not mean you should chunk them in the trash can.
While technology changes rapidly, our ability to buy all the
latest gadgets does not quite keep up. In short, you never know
when one of those cables might come in handy. Besides, some of
them are quite expensive. You could try separating them by
probably use possibilities, but honestly, the best thing to do
is leave the box alone. Maybe tidy up by making sure all the
cables are neatly inside the box. That's it.
If you are trying to control the cables that hang down the wall
from the equipment to the surge protection in the electrical
outlet, nothing works better than plastic zip ties. Once we used
bread twist ties for this chore. The plastic zip ties are
inexpensive, easy to use, and can't be undone by small, curious
children. Remember when using the plastic zip ties that once
they are wrapped around the cables and secured, you will
probably have to cut it off if you plan to rearrange the wires
later. Make sure you leave enough space to safely cut the zip
tie without cutting into any of the wires.
The same rule for not throwing away cables applies to small
cable boxes, too. The box could serve as an adapter for a unit
some day.
While indoor phone cable is relatively inexpensive, hang onto it
as well. Chances are that if you have had more than one phone in
the house, dial up internet service, and have networked any home
computers, you will find a lot of old phone cable in the house.
With so many people going wireless or cable for their Internet
provider these days, the use of so much phone cable has
declined. However, it might come in handy for a fax or other
business or home office item in the future. Since phone cable is
easily recognized, feel free to bundle it and put it away. You
may bundle it by length or by color, whichever is best for your
organizational methods.
Just remember, you will probably need one of those cables again
some day. Having an idea of where they are stored and how they
are stored will help you get to them as quickly as possible.
Label the boxes as you store them, even if the description is as
simple as "black cables" and "phone line." This will make
finding wanted cables easier in the future.