Abstract: An electrical cord retractor includes a closed hollow case separate from any apparatus with which an electrical cord will be used. Within the case is a winder, such as a rotatable spool, and the case is openable to permit an electrical cord to be wound upon the spool. The case wall has passageways through which an electrical cord can pass from the spool within the case to the exterior of the case, so that the cord can be connected to an apparatus independent of the case. The passageway may be slots which extend to a free edge of the case wall, so that after an electrical cord is wound on the spool, portions of the electrical cord extending from the spool can be inserted into the slots as the case is closed. The spool has a cord guide, in the form of a slot, extending from the external face of one of the spool flanges into the spool hub. A portion of an electrical cord is held stationary in the slot so that as the spool is rotated the remainder of the cord is wound upon the spool.