Taming the Cable Chaos
Like many people, I had accumulated far too many charging cables and power adaptors over the years. Drawers were crammed with outdated connectors, duplicate chargers, and cables of every shape and size—many of them long obsolete. Eventually, I’d had enough. I decided it was time to bring some order to the chaos. The results have been transformative.
The first step was a thorough purge. I disposed of old chargers, duplicate cables, and anything I couldn’t immediately identify. All of these were taken to the “small electricals” section at our local recycling centre—an environmentally responsible way to say goodbye to tech clutter. Letting go of these items was surprisingly satisfying and a great way to reclaim space.
Brother E560BT
With the clutter cleared, I turned to organisation. I invested in a Brother E560BT label maker—a professional-grade machine that’s probably overkill for home use, but it’s a fantastic piece of kit and has proven invaluable. I used it to label every cable and charger in one of two ways:
- Flag labels for cables that might be swapped or used in different locations
- Wrap-around labels for cables that stay in one place or are used frequently
Labelling has made it easy to identify cables at a glance, especially when travelling or repacking. No more mystery wires or unnecessary guesswork.
Lamicall Cable Wraps
To keep cables tidy, I standardised on Lamicall silicone cable ties, which work well across various cable thicknesses. I’d grown frustrated with Velcro wraps—useful at first, but prone to sticking together and creating a new kind of mess. Silicone ties avoid this problem and are easier to manage. Those with silicone allergies should, of course, choose an alternative.
Really Useful Box
All of my labelled and wrapped cables are now stored neatly in a 3-litre “Really Useful Box”. The box is organised by frequency of use: less commonly used cables at the bottom, most frequently used ones on top. This simple system means I always know where to look and what’s available.
One of the best outcomes has been how easy it is to pack for travel. Whether we’re heading away in the motorhome or on a house sit, I can quickly grab just the cables we need. Everything goes back in the box when we return, keeping the system intact.
This method has not only reduced clutter—it has also saved me time, stress, and frustration. I now know exactly what I have, where it is, and which cables are worth keeping. It’s a small but meaningful step toward a more streamlined and less wasteful tech life. If you’re struggling with your own cable chaos, I highly recommend giving this approach a try. It really has been worth it.