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How to Untangle Necklaces

How to Untangle Necklaces

bonnie azoulay
6 minute read

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Do you find yourself constantly frustrated with tangled necklaces? You’re not alone! Whether it's an expensive diamond necklace or a childhood costume piece, having to unknot a looped mess of chains can sometimes be the bane of your existence. Not only does it leave you wondering what happened in the first place, but how do you even begin to undo something that looks like an impossible puzzle?

With our expert tips and tricks on working through knots and tangles, let us help guide you toward restoring your beloved jewelry pieces! Keep reading to learn exactly how to untangle necklaces effectively without damaging them further. The best part is, you can do this by yourself at home DIY-style without having to take it to a jeweler. All you need are your hands and a few household items that you probably already own.

Lay Your Tangled Necklace on a Flat Surface

Have you ever found yourself frustrated and stressed out by a tangled necklace? It's a common occurrence that can quickly ruin your morning routine. But there's no need to panic! Before you throw in the towel and just leave the necklace tangled, try gently taking it off and laying it on a flat surface.

By doing this, you'll be able to see the knots and tangles more clearly and come up with a plan to untangle them. Remember, patience is key when it comes to untangling jewelry. So take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee, and tackle that tangled necklace with a clear mind.

Identify Knots or Loops Causing the Tangled Chain

Untangling a knot can be a frustrating experience, but taking the time to examine the tangle carefully may help simplify the process. Identifying the specific knots and loops that caused the tangle can provide crucial insight into how to untie the knot and get things back on track. First, you’ll want to get to the culprit — which is the very center of the knot.

Like most things in life, success lies in the details, and carefully teasing out each knot will set you up for success in no time. While you’re at it, look through your jewelry collection and examine all of your pieces for knots.

Use a Pair of Scissors, Safety Pin, or Tweezers

Untangling knotted chains can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to delicate items such as necklaces. Part of jewelry care — including cleaning and storing jewelry your jewelry — is having a jewelry organizer system in place. It’s important to ensure untangling your jewelry is part of this organizational practice!

With a trusty pair of scissors, straight pin, tweezers, toothpick, thumbtack, sewing needle, or something else that’s pointy, you can cut through those knots and set your precious jewelry free. But, like with any other task, there are risks involved. It's crucial to approach the situation with patience and caution, making sure not to damage the necklace in the process. So, if you're faced with a tangled mess, don't fret. You've got this. Just remember to take it slow, and soon enough, your necklace will be clasped around your neck and ready to wear.

Unravel Knotted Chains with Your Fingers

There's a certain satisfaction in untangling something that's been knotted for ages. And when it comes to unraveling loops, there's a methodical way to approach it. Using your fingers to slowly pull the strands apart not only untangles necklace knots, but it gives you a sense of control and focus.

It's almost meditative in a way, as you concentrate on each individual loop, loosening it just enough to separate it from its neighboring strands. Before you know it, the knot is gone and you're left with a sense of accomplishment. Sometimes, the knots will be too tangled and your fingers won’t be nimble enough to get to those knots. That’s when a straight pin or other pointy items will do the trick for a tangle-free necklace!

Bring Soapy Water to a Bowl

Submerge the necklace in soapy water or even water with a conditioner for 10 minutes, then use your hands to untangle those stubborn knots. Wiggle them free and feel satisfied with a job well done!

Obviously, this is the best-case scenario, but sometimes you’ll need backup if those knots are way too stubborn. Here are some other household items to use before starting the untangling process. These items, like conditioner or even soap, help loosen the knots and make them less rigid.

  • Warm soapy water

  • Dish soap

  • Olive oil

  • Baby oil

  • Baby powder

Store Your Necklaces in a Tangle-Free Environment

When you buy a necklace that you don’t wear on a daily basis, the first thing you’ll probably do is put it in a jewelry box and store it somewhere safe. But, there’s a crucial step you might be missing with your delicate chains...

Find storage that will prevent tangles in the first place! This might mean buying a jewelry box that hangs the necklaces separately, or laying each necklace in its own space so it doesn’t get tangled with other necklaces. You can even try a necklace hanger from Amazon where you can clasp each necklace and the chains don’t touch each other.

How do you untangle a fine necklace knot?

First, try to unravel knots with your fingers. If the knots are too stubborn, take a pointy household item (like a straight pin, sewing needle, or even toothpick) and go to town with those knots. If that doesn’t work, use baby oil or submerge the necklace in warm soapy water. Then, try, try again! That should definitely do the trick.

What are the three steps to untangle a necklace?

1: Lay your necklace on a flat surface

2: Rub the knot with baby oil

3: Use your fingers, a straight pin, or another pointy household item to untangle

All in all, it is possible to untangle a necklace without too much trouble if you employ patience and careful examination of the tangle. Starting with a gentle hand, it is easy to remove any knots or loops that are causing the tangle. If necessary, prick the knots with a pair of scissors or other pointy household items but be careful not to damage your jewelry. Unraveling the loops can also be done by slowly pulling them apart using your fingers. Separating each strand of the necklace at least once with your fingers should help loosen up the knot as well as soaking it for 10 minutes in some soapy water or starting off with another slippery base. With patience and following the right steps, any type of necklace can be unknotted quickly and easily without having to cut away pieces from it.

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