Buzz
Untangling a knotted necklace can be quite tricky, and unfortunately, the finer and longer the chain, the more challenging the knots become! If you keep tugging at it in an attempt to free the knots, you might just make them even tighter, or worse, break the chain. Don't worry—by using a bit of lubricant, a few small tools, and some patience, you can untangle your necklace in no time.
Steps
Untangling a Necklace with Lubricant
Choose an Appropriate Workspace. Find a flat, sturdy surface to untangle your necklace, such as a table. A flat and firm surface provides stability while you work and prevents new knots from forming.
- Make sure your workspace is well-lit so you can clearly see the knots and tangles.
- Working on a white or black surface is helpful, as the contrast makes the knots stand out more clearly.
Unclasp the Necklace. If you have a tangled necklace, start by unclasping the ends of the chain. If multiple necklaces are tangled together, you'll need to unclasp each one individually.
- Unclasping the necklace helps to separate the chain and allows you to pull the ends apart.
Lay the Necklace on a Flat Surface. Whether it's a single tangled necklace or several interwoven chains, place it on a flat surface and gently spread it out to identify the tangled sections.
- Be cautious not to pull too hard while laying the necklace out on the surface. Too much force can tighten the knots further or even break the chain.
Apply Lubricant to the Knot. Put a few drops of baby oil or olive oil on the tangled part of the necklace. The oil will make it easier for the ends of the chain to slide through as you work to untangle the knot.
- Baby oil and olive oil are safe for use on necklaces and can be easily cleaned off later.
Use Pins to Untangle the Knot. Insert the sharp ends of two pins into the knot and gently pull the pins apart to loosen the knot. Once there's space between the loops, you can continue using the pins to pull the ends of the necklace free. Be very careful when doing this, as it requires patience and focus.
- Any thin pins, such as sewing pins, safety pins, or upholstery pins, can work well for this task.
Clean the Necklace. After untangling, rinse off the baby oil or olive oil by dipping the soiled parts of the necklace into a solution of mild soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and gently pat dry with a paper towel or soft cloth.
- You can also use jewelry cleaning solution to remove the oil from the necklace. Just be sure to rinse it with clean water and dry it thoroughly.
Untangle the Necklace with Baby Powder
Sprinkle Baby Powder on the Knot. Reduce the friction between the tangled sections of the necklace by sprinkling a bit of baby powder on the knotted area. Baby powder is safe for necklaces and is easy to wash off.
- As you sprinkle the powder on the necklace, use your fingers to gently rub the tangle, allowing the powder to work its way into the knots and loosen them up.
Untangle the Knot with Pins. Insert the sharp tips of two pins into the knot. Once the pins are positioned between the loops, lift the pins and pull them apart to loosen the knot. When there is enough space between the loops, you can begin to separate the sections of the necklace.
Clean the Necklace. Once you've untangled the necklace, you can clean it by dipping it into a mild soapy water solution. Rinse the necklace thoroughly with water and gently pat it dry with a paper towel.
Untangle the Necklace with a Screwdriver
Prepare Your Workspace. Choose a surface that you don’t mind potentially scratching while working. You can also lay something down to protect the surface of the table.
- A hardcover book or a placemat can be used to shield the table.
Insert the Screwdriver into the Knot. Position the pointed end of the screwdriver between the knots. Press the screwdriver against the table surface. Gently move the screwdriver back and forth until the sections of the chain around the knot start to loosen.
- This method can work with almost any small and slender object (e.g., a pin, sewing needle, safety pin, etc.).
Loosen the Knot. Once the knot is loosened, you can use the screwdriver and your fingers to pull and separate the individual parts of the knot.
Untangle the Necklace with Windex Glass Cleaner
Lubricate the Knot. Drop a few drops of Windex glass cleaner onto the knotted section of the necklace. The glass cleaner acts as a lubricant, making it easier for the tangled parts to slide through and loosen.
Loosen the Knot. Place the necklace into a small box and set it on a vibrating surface, such as a washing machine. Let the necklace sit on this vibrating surface for a few minutes.
- The vibrations will help shift the knot and loosen it.
Untangle the Necklace. After letting the necklace vibrate for a while, remove it from the box and rub the knotted part gently between your fingers.
- By now, the knot should be loose enough for you to untangle with your hands.
Clean the Necklace. To remove the glass cleaner, place the necklace in a mild soapy water solution and gently rub it. Rinse the necklace with clean water and pat it dry with a paper towel.
Prevent the Necklace from Tangling
Thread the Necklace Through a Straw. Open the clasp of the necklace. Hold the straw upright and slide the clasped end of the necklace through the straw. Once the necklace emerges from the other end of the straw, attach the clasp of both ends together.
- This method works best with thin necklaces and those without a fixed pendant in the middle, as the pendant will not fit through the straw.
- If your necklace has a fixed pendant, you can cut the straw in half and thread one part of the necklace alongside the pendant through the straw.
Hang the Necklace. Instead of storing all your necklaces in the same jewelry box, consider using a tree-shaped necklace holder (where the branches of the 'tree' are for hanging necklaces) or make your own necklace stand. You can use push pins and a bulletin board to create a fun and unique jewelry display.
- Keep in mind that heavier necklaces might not hang securely on push pins.
Pack the Necklace for Travel. Place the necklace in a small zippered plastic bag (the kind often included in new clothes) with the clasp sticking out. Press the sealed opening of the bag tightly, leaving only the clasp exposed.
- These small bags will help prevent the necklace from getting tangled.
Tips
- Do not pull too hard when untangling a necklace; you could break it or make the knots even tighter!
