Some people use cable ties, aka zip ties, to hold cars together, and law enforcement sometimes uses them in place of handcuffs. Manufacturers often use them to attach a product to its display card, while others use them to keep power cords neat for shipment, attach tags to clothes, or keep cables neatly arranged.

There are almost as many different types and sizes of cable ties as there are uses. And did you know there is a right way to use those handy little pieces of plastic? Even more importantly, there are many distinct types of cable ties that are intended for different uses.

How to Use a Cable Tie

If you haven’t used a cable tie before, there is a right and wrong way to use them. The right way will result in a tie that not only is able to be tightened around something but it stays tight until released or cut off, depending on the type of tie used. Used the wrong way, the tie will not stay tight, and the end will often slip back through the square end.

To use a cable tie the right way, once the tie is around the cables or whatever object you want held together, take the pointed end and insert it into the other end that has the receptacle.

If you have inserted it from the correct side, the teeth will click as it goes through, and it will tighten and not release. If that didn’t occur, and the end slides out freely, remove the pointed end, turn the tie over, reinsert it, pull tight, and move the head as far as it will go. Once it is tight, you can trim the excess if desired.