How to store net lights

Fold your net lights.

Spread them out on the floor in a rectangle shape. Then simply fold them into quarters like a blanket. To keep them from tangling with each other, slide them inside Ziplock bags to store them.

Roll out a length of plastic sheet equal to that of the strand lights and cut the plastic sheet from the roll. Place the strand on top of the plastic sheet and roll the plastic sheet and strand lights together. This will keep the icicle strands from tangling and bundle everything neatly inside a sheet of plastic.

Wrap the lights

The simplest way for how to store icicle lights without tangling is to just wrap them around something. Instead of wrapping them around your arm and then pulling your arm out and dumping them in the box, just get a cardboard cut-out “replacement” for your arm.

How to organize your icicle lights: Start with the male end in the top, wrap the strand around the “waist” of the hanger, finish with the female end in the top. Use the area at the top to label where you hang that strand and store in the attic on a clothes rod.

Wrap Around Cardboard Box

Use a cardboard box instead of your arm. Just cut out a cardboard box and cut a slit somewhere in the middle. Start from the slit and wrap the lights around the box. You can just keep it there until you want to use them again.

Start by cutting the cardboard into an anvil shape—this will help prevent the loops from sliding off—then wind the cords around the thinner, middle section. When you’re finished, tuck the plug loosely beneath one of the strands to keep the lights in place.

Often, the only place to store holiday decorations is in the garage or attic, according to organizing expert Barry Izsak, author of “Organize Your Garage in No Time.” Store holiday decorations in enclosed plastic containers to guard against water and moisture damage.

Also, never store your lights in an attic space. The plastic components of all Christmas lights and installation hardware is susceptible to aging and degrading in extreme attic temperatures – whether you live in sunny Texas or up North!

Holiday Decorations

“Holiday decorations can be damaged by the extreme heat in attics,” says Santoro. “Delicate fabrics and items that are painted are particularly prone to damage when stored in the attic,” and plastic decorations, like ornaments, may melt or warp in the heat.

As a rule, your attic should be approximately the same temperature as the air outside your home. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a 90-degree to translate to temperatures 30 or 40 degrees hotter in the attic. That’s dangerous because the extra heat can damage roof tiles and any items you have stored in the attic.

An attic is hard to seal, due to ventilation issues. Therefore, specific fabrics are best left out of the attic, like leather and animal fur clothing. Remember, the key to correctly store clothes in your attic is wrapping every clothing item individually in plastic and protect it from moisture.