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Taking Down and Storing Christmas Lights Without Tangles

Updated November 1, 2026 · General information, not electrical or safety advice

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The short answer: Take lights down on a dry, calm day with a helper. Remove clips, wipe off dirt and moisture, let every strand dry fully, wrap each one on a reel, cardboard or a bucket, and label it by location. Test the strands as you pack them so next year's job starts with a working set.

Safety first. Use only lights and cords rated for outdoor use, plug them into a GFCI-protected outlet, keep ladders and light strands at least 10 feet from overhead power lines, and have a helper. Hire a licensed electrician for any wiring or new outlet. See our safety guide. This reminder is ours; the sourced details are on that page.

Steps

Pick a dry, calm day. LeafFilter notes wind and ice raise fall risk. Bob Vila says that in cold or snowy climates you should take the lights down in winter to extend their life.
Unplug everything first. Turn off the timer and unplug the cord before you touch a strand (our advice).
Use the ladder rules. Keep three points of contact, stay 10 feet from power lines and have a helper. See ladder safety.
Remove the lights gently. Public Storage says to take them down carefully and wipe off dirt or moisture. Go-Forth says clips can be reused and make the lights easier to remove. Hunker says to warm hardened hot glue before you peel it off.
Let every strand dry fully. Public Storage: "Wet items never belong in storage."
Wrap each strand on a cord reel, a piece of cardboard or a light-storage spool (Public Storage). Family Handyman suggests wrapping lights around a five-gallon bucket and coiling extension cords inside it.
Label by location, such as front roofline or back patio (Public Storage).
Sort the dead strands into a repair pile and a recycle pile as you go. Family Handyman says many hardware or big-box stores accept dead lights for recycling at certain times of year. Call your local store.
Pack in labeled bins. Public Storage suggests a self-storage unit if closets, garages or sheds are full, and says a 5 by 5 foot unit suits lights and small decor. It sells those units, so that is a company's view.

Save yourself work next year

Keep clips with the strand they go with, in a labeled bag (our advice).
Write down your measurements and clip count. Our calculator can recreate the list.
Test each strand when you pack it, so next year's pile is already sorted (Public Storage tests every strand before hanging).
Want someone else to do the takedown? Fixr says it costs $125 to $350 per project, and most companies include it in installation packages. See installer vs DIY.

Need a storage reel or a hanging pole?

Clips made for the job are gentler on your gutters and cords than nails or staples. Match the clip to your gutter, shingle or trim.

Browse light clips and hanging poles Count your clips

Common questions

How do I store Christmas lights so they do not tangle?

Wrap each strand on a cord reel, a piece of cardboard or a light-storage spool and label it by location (Public Storage). Family Handyman suggests winding them around a five-gallon bucket.

When should I take my Christmas lights down?

Bob Vila says to take them down in winter in cold or snowy climates to extend their life. We found no source on an exact date. Choose a dry, calm day.

Where can I recycle old Christmas lights?

Family Handyman says many hardware or big-box stores accept them for recycling at certain times of year. Call a store near you to check.

Related guides

Sources