Good ways to store leads, chargers, adapters and assorted wires.

[FlyMeToDunoon]

Other than in a big tangle in the dresser drawer?

[Sheeta]

tie them up with hairbands and stick them all in one box

[FlyMeToDunoon]

Thanks yes could be good.... if I could find the hairbands.....

[PM73]

I bought a load of tubs from the supermarket,the kind with lids on & i store them in them.I wrote on the front what charger is in each one & they stack nicely too.

[EvenBetaDad]

Put each one in a plastic freezer bag with a label inside the bag saying which appliance and what type of lead it is. Tie the bags wit a knot. Then stack them neatly in a cardboard box. Lable the outside of the box so you know what it is and put it on a shelf in a store cupboard.

[FlyMeToDunoon]

Thanks all. I think the major missing ingredient here is energy and possibly some enthusiasm.
I will have to get on to it pronto.

[Sheeta]

plastic tubs? bags? wow... that's organised.

See - I was going for the lazy option

[RubberDuck]

I have a wooden box that I use as a charger station. It has a hinge lid and holes for handles in the sides.

I stick a four way adaptor inside the box then plug the chargers in, with their leads trailing out the handle holes. Mobile phones, DSes and anything else gets charged just sit neatly on top of the box without seeing a mass of wires!

[stubbyfingers]

I like this

So lovely and neat! Admittedly, I still have a drawer full of other chargers and wires, but at least our mobiles are tidy

[FlyMeToDunoon]

Link isn't working. Can you try again?
Now I did once have a shoe box with holes in for all of the plugs and adapters needed for two sets of fairy lights so yes I can see that.

[RubberDuck]

Hmm, not sure I'd recommend a cardboard shoebox if you're leaving them in there when switched on - some of those transformer-style plugs can get quite warm when left on for a bit.

Important safety disclaimer: the handles in my wooden box double up as air vents for cooling, and I always switch off at the wall when not using.

[ThingOne]

Throw the buggers out. I harbour evil intentions to all our cables.

Rubber Duck, did you make yours. Does it work well? I want my DH (dab hand with such things) to make one and he just mutters.

[FlyMeToDunoon]

Transformers don't get left on because that COSTS MONEY!

If you have all of the ends sticking out is it simple enough for DPs and 9 year olds to figure out which bit to stick in where? Or would you have to label each.... hmmmmm.

[stubbyfingers]

If this doesn't work, google 'chargehand' available from presentsformen.co.uk.

[LovelyRitaMeterMaid]

We have a drawer where all chargers and other small electtical items go.

[RubberDuck]

Well, I didn't make it as such - just bought it from Homebase a few years ago! It's not intended to be a charger box.

Fly: well that too - it's good practise to switch off at the wall regardless. I had labels (just a sticky label folded over on itself) but most fell off - you can tell though - DS charger is significantly different to my phone charger, which is significantly different to my camera charger, etc.

[RubberDuck]

My solution

[FlyMeToDunoon]

RubberDuck that looks very organised. However I wonder if you are only charging one thing but have all four transformers switched on does that waste a lot of energy and cash?
I was wondering about a drawer with one of those sock organisers in it but that would depend on everyone winding up the wires on the transformers.

[RubberDuck]

Fly: tbh, the amount of time that most of our chargers work for (most things are fairly quick to charge up) I doubt it would make that much difference.

Certainly, I have checked previously if non-connected chargers are emitting heat (a sign that they are drawing power) and most of them don't - I think the more modern chargers are a lot better than they used to be for that. In fact, our mobile phone charger in particular (not pictured, as that was a while ago) is a specific eco one which cuts off once the mobile is fully charged and draws no more power.

If it concerned you though, you can get 4 way adapters now with separate switches - while it would be a pain to lift the lid and flick the individual switches, it would be doable and would solve that issue.

[LovelyRitaMeterMaid]

Rubberduck is that your blog

[RubberDuck]

Yes, I am woman of many names... shhh