6 ways to care for your laptop charger and power cord to extend its life

Maintaining your laptop charger's integrity will help ensure you can safely charge your laptop with it. Here are six ways to do it.

While it may be tempting to wrap your laptop power cord in a tight pattern to keep it organized, doing so can shorten the life of your charger. This practice puts repetitive stress on the thin copper conductors inside power cords and can cause them to break.

To avoid this, loop your laptop power cord loosely to avoid crimping the wires and if you can wrap it a different way each time to avoid repetitive stress on the same section.

But not just any power strip––make sure it has a built-in surge protector. In addition to offering convenience (allowing you to plug in multiple devices with only one outlet), power strips with surge protectors can protect your laptop, phone, and other electronic devices from power surges that can damage your device.

The transformer can get hot during the charging process. To avoid overheating while your laptop is charging, make sure it's placed somewhere with plenty of airflows (e.g., not wedged in a couch cushion), especially if you know you'll be plugged in for an extended period.

Exposed wires are a big no-no, and extended contact with sharp surfaces like table edges can wear away the rubber protecting the wires in your laptop power cord.

Whether you often move your power cord from one place to another or have a designated charging hub, ensure your setup doesn't expose these delicate wires to sharp edges.

Water and electronic devices don't mix, so it's essential to avoid situations where your laptop power cord could be accidentally exposed to water as this can cause electrocution, damage to your laptop, or both. This means not charging your laptop in or near your kitchen or bathroom.

If your laptop charger comes into contact with water, disconnect it from the outlet at once and move it away. Thoroughly dry the charger and make sure it is completely dry before deciding whether to use it again.

Of course, this means you'll have a backup when one breaks down. But opting to have two in your possession is about more than being proactive. It can help reduce the wear and tear of both — and will likely improve their life span.

Reserve a cord specifically for travel, and leave your other charger in your living room or bedroom. Only use the travel cord while you're on-the-go and the living or bedroom cord while you're working in the house and in those rooms.

This will help you avoid pulling, stretching, and wrapping your cords as frequently.