HOW TO DECLUTTER YOUR CABLES

Time to take on that drawer in your home that’s overflowing with cables or gadgets you no longer use. Here’s how…

Just under a third of Brits admit to having cables, chargers and connectors they no longer need but don’t know what to do with. Streamlining a cable collection isn’t always straightforward, so if this strikes a chord, use our guide to work out which cables to keep and which you can safely get rid of.

PHONE CHARGERS AND CABLES

Keep the Lightning charger that came with any iphone (or ipad) released since 2012, as these can be used on newer Apple devices. Hang on to the USB-C cables supplied with many non-apple smartphones and tablets (the connectors at each end are 8.5 x 2.5mm and shaped like a grain of rice).

These are becoming more common to charge laptops and connect devices such as keyboards and mice, too. Get rid of any other old mobile phone chargers that you’re no longer using.

COMPUTER CABLES

Keep a handful of cables with the older rectangular or square USB connectors at each end. They may still come in handy for connecting gadgets such as printers and hard drives. Hang on to Ethernet cables; you’ll be thankful you did if you have a problem with your wi-fi.

TV CABLES

Squirrel away cables with HDMI connectors at each end to connect things such as DVD players and TVS.

Ditch VGA, Scart, S-video and Composite video cables that aren’t still in use.

HEADPHONES

Keep one pair of plug-in headphones and chuck the rest. Future phones and other devices are more likely to feature Bluetooth and other wireless technologies. Dispose of no-longerneeded cables through your local authority’s small electrical recycling collection scheme, or find a collection point at recyclenow.com.