How to Store Christmas Lights Safely and Securely

Now the festive season is coming to a close, it’s time to take down your Christmas decorations. Learn how to store Christmas lights to ensure their lifespan and safety.

In 2021, the United States imported an estimated $557.1 million dollars worth of Christmas lights, making them the top importer globally of this festive decoration. It is easy to see why they are so popular, with the dazzling lights coming with many settings to create a magical yet cozy ambiance in any house or room.

In order to keep Christmas lights out of landfills, it’s important to learn how to store Christmas lights the right way so you can make the most of them. Instead of throwing them out when a bulb is broken, learn how to recycle the bulbs and buy replacements. Follow our simple storage steps below. 

How to Store Christmas Lights

It’s important to learn how to store Christmas lights so that you can extend their lifespan and keep them safe. You can easily store them using these 4 simple steps: 

1. Remove the bulbs from their sockets and place them in the box they came in. 
2. Pack extension cords or extra power strips with the correct lights to avoid confusion.
3. Alternatively, you can wrap them around a clothes hanger or leftover paper tube to prevent tangling. Avoid banging them on hard surfaces.  
4. Store in a waterproof and airtight storage box of your choice in a cool, dry place. Cover your lights in layers if needed with scrunched-up newspaper or padding to prevent breakage. Avoid direct sun exposure, as this could cause your lights to fade and go dimmer — a common complaint among light buyers. 

Storing Christmas lights correctly isn’t the only way you can extend their life and create sustainable habits. How you use them is also a contributing factor. You should store your bulbs when they’re not in use at the end of the season in order to maintain the best color. Turn them on only when needed to reduce energy consumption. If your lights used batteries, consider using rechargeable batteries to lower your household waste, and remember to remove any batteries at the end of each season. 

Sustainable Christmas Light Options

If you’re looking to keep things eco-friendly and sustainable this Christmas, then there are plenty of options available when it comes to choosing lights. Here are some eco-friendly Christmas light ideas: 

• LED lights: LED lights use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to twice as long, making them a great choice for any eco-conscious consumer. As well as being energy-efficient, they also offer excellent light quality — so it’s a win-win!
• Solar-powered: Solar-powered Christmas lights use renewable energy, meaning that you won’t have to worry about your power consumption. 

If your Christmas lights are at the point of no return, then your best bet is to recycle them. There are plenty of ways to recycle Christmas lights quickly and easily. Each year, around 20 million pounds of discarded holiday lights are shipped to China, where many factories recycle the lights to retrieve the copper wire. While it’s great that they can be recycled, you shouldn’t be throwing them out unnecessarily. It is always best to extend their life cycle as much as possible before discarding them so that you don’t keep having to buy new ones. 

Read more: 

• How To Save Up to 75% Energy on Your Outdoor Christmas Lights
• This Is How You Make Your Christmas Tree Last Longer
• Is Renting a Christmas Tree More Sustainable?

Tags: Christmas Guide Holidays How-To's Practical Tips