How to Store Holiday Lights the Right Way: Tips From Local Roots Lawn Maintenance

The holidays are full of fun memories—warm dinners, sparkling neighborhoods, and cheerful decorations. But once the season ends, most homeowners face a familiar challenge: What do you do with all those lights? Tangled strands, broken bulbs, and missing extension cords can turn next year’s decorating into a frustrating project. Fortunately, a little planning now can reduce the chaos later.

According to Local Roots Lawn Maintenance, smart storage habits and the right tools make all the difference in preserving your investment and minimizing holiday headaches.

Whether you keep things simple with one tree’s worth of lights or go all-out with a full rooftop display, these holiday light storage tips will help you stay organized, safe, and ready for next season.

Start With a Full Inspection Before You Store

Before you wind up a single strand, take time to inspect your lights. This is one of the easiest yet most overlooked steps in light maintenance—and it pays off. Here’s what to look for:

• Broken or missing bulbs
• Frayed or cracked wiring
• Bent prongs
• Burned-out sections

Plug in each strand to confirm it works. If problems appear now, you can fix them before storing or decide to replace them. Ignoring issues usually leads to aggravation next season, when you have less time to deal with repairs.

If a strand is beyond saving, dispose of it properly. Many local recycling programs accept old holiday lights, especially around the season. Just be sure to separate them from regular household trash.

Keep Everything Dry

Holiday lights are often used outdoors, which means they might get wet before you take them down. Moisture can damage wiring, corrode metal components, or create problems later. Allowing strands time to dry completely before wrapping ensures they stay in good shape.

To speed things up, lay strands out in a garage or indoor space, wipe with a cloth, and allow several hours of air-drying time. Once fully dry, you’re ready to move on to wrapping and storing.

Prevent Tangles With Smart Wrapping Techniques

Few things are more frustrating than spending an afternoon untangling a ball of lights. Luckily, a few smart organization hacks can spare you the trouble.

1) Cardboard Organizer

Cut a rectangle of cardboard and slit notches into each end. Wrap the strand around the board and secure the plug into a notch to keep the string flat and easy to unravel later.

2) Plastic Spools

Reusable plastic spools are designed specifically for lights. They’re sturdy, easy to store, and allow you to neatly unwind strands next year.

3) Extension-Cord Coil Method

Wrap lights as if you’re coiling an extension cord. Create even loops and secure them with zip ties, twist ties, or a Velcro strap.

Whichever method you choose, consistency makes setup smoother and faster next holiday season.

Label for Faster Setup Next Year

Once your lights are wrapped neatly, label them. It sounds simple, but it saves a tremendous amount of time later. Here are a few examples of labels you can use:

• “Front porch garland”
• “Roofline – left side”
• “Backyard shrubs”
• “Tree – top section”

You can use tape, tags, or stickers. When everything is clearly marked, you’ll spend less time guessing where each strand belongs and more time enjoying the decorating process.

Protect Bulbs With Proper Packing

Storing your lights in a protective container helps prevent crushed bulbs and damaged wiring. Good options include:

• Plastic tubs with lids
• Specialty light storage bags
• Zip-top bags placed inside sturdy bins

Avoid tossing lights into a box loosely. They’ll tangle, and bulbs are far more likely to break under pressure. For added protection, wrap strands in bubble wrap or tissue paper before placing them in a bin.

Store Indoors When Possible

Temperature and moisture are the biggest enemies of stored lights. Extreme heat, cold, and humidity can damage wiring, crack insulation, or shorten bulb life. Ideally, place them in:

• Closets
• Under-bed bins
• Climate-controlled shelving

If indoor storage isn’t an option, choose the driest, most stable area available. Avoid attics, garages, and sheds where high temperatures or excess moisture could cause deterioration.

Don’t Forget Extension Cords & Accessories

Extension cords, stakes, timers, and hanging clips deserve attention, too. Store them with your lights so you don’t have to buy new accessories every year. How to stay organized:

• Coil and secure cords with Velcro straps
• Put clips and hooks into labeled bags
• Store everything in the same bin

This ensures an efficient decorating experience next season.

Practice Outdoor Lighting Safety Before Storing

If your lights were used outdoors, now is the best time to check them for potential hazards related to outdoor lighting safety. Look for damage from nails or staples, scorch marks, exposed wiring, or signs of water intrusion.

If you notice issues, don’t store the strand—repair it or dispose of it. Damaged lights are unsafe to reuse and can create a fire or shock hazard.

Consider Upgrading to LED

If your old incandescent lights are reaching the end of their life, upgrading to LEDs can make both decorating and storage easier. LEDs stay cooler, use less energy, and often last longer. Many sets are also built with more durable insulation, which helps protect them while stored.