Abstract: A surplus cable storage device including a top portion, a bottom portion, and an interior portion having a space with an input and an output through its geometric center is provided. The interior portion may include a grooved edge in the outer side and a shape having rounded corners. The space in the interior portion has a width that allows a plurality of diameters of the surplus cable to pass through and wind around the grooved edge. In some embodiments, the top portion and the interior portion protrude out of the grooved edge on either side of the interior portion, protecting the surplus cable wound around the grooved edge. A method for storing surplus cable attached from a lever to an actuator a manually operated apparatus and maintaining cable and apparatus is provided. The method includes winding the surplus cable along an edge of a storage device as above.