How to Untangle a Necklace

If you are reading this, you’re obviously in some serious, tangled-chain trouble. Take a breath. You probably went at your necklace like a spider monkey, and now it is way, way worse. It happens. We’ve all been there. That’s why we wrote this post. We’ve compiled the best tips and tricks on how to untangle a necklace without losing your sanity.

Now there are several methods, each proclaiming to be the best. And not all knots are equal. Some knots come out with a few tugs and pulls, but others are so beyond it’s almost unbelievable that it could tangle that bad. So try these tricks for untangling a necklace, and let us know which method worked best for you in the comments.

Our Top 5 Tricks to Untangle a Necklace

If first you don’t succeed, scream, drink a Diet Coke, and then try another trick. We’ll get it untangled by the end.

With each of these tricks, you’re going to want a clean, clear work area like a countertop, table, or desk. Unclasp the necklace and spread it out without pulling the knot tighter. Some of these methods can get a bit messy, so you may want a paper towel or plate to contain the mess.

Powder That Knot

Supplies Needed: Baby powder, paper towel, pin, or needle.

How to Untangle the Hot Mess: A pinch of baby powder can loosen the knot. For this method, you’ll need to place a paper towel down on your work surface. Then sprinkle baby powder all over the knot and chain. (Yes, it’s messy, but at least it smells sorta good.)

Then insert a pin or needle into the center of the knot and gently work the knot apart by wiggling and tugging the strands apart. This may take a few minutes to work out, but you’ll be surprised how well baby powder can release the tension in the chain, allowing the knot to pull free.

How to Get it Clean: To clean your necklace afterward, you can wipe it with a paper towel or use a jewelry cleaner.

Oil It Down

Supplies Needed: Olive or baby oil, mild soap or jewelry cleaner, paper towel, cotton swab.

How to Untangle a Necklace with Oil: Using the cotton swab or pouring carefully, you want to dab the oil onto the knot of the necklace. Then use your fingers to massage the oil into the knot to loosen the chain. The oil should help the strands to pull apart easily.

Cleaning Up: Once the knot is undone, you’ll want to wash the necklace in warm soapy water or jewelry cleaner. The upside is the chain will look shiny and clean.

Still got your chain in a bunch? Shop LaCkore’s full line of trendy, untangled necklaces.

Alt Img Text: Windex and paper towels

Put Some Windex On It

Supplies Needed: Windex, small Tupperware or ziplock bag, washing machine or vibrating device, soap, and paper towel.

How to Use Windex to Loosen that Knot: No, we didn’t learn this from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but in this case, it is true. Windex can untangle your necklace. Spritz some Windex onto the knot of your necklace. Then place the necklace into the Tupperware or ziplock bag.

Next, you’ll want to place the Tupperware on top of a vibrating washer, car hood, or device. Or, if you’re really clever, you can gently rustle the Tupperware to simulate vibration to break up the knot. After a few minutes, the knot should loosen from the vibration, and you can pull the knot apart with your fingers.

Cleaning up: Add some soapy water or jewelry cleaner to the Tupperware and wash the necklace. When you are finished, pat dry with a paper towel.

Work the Needle

Supplies Needed: one or two safety pins, needles, toothpicks, or sewing pins.

Untangle Your Necklace with a Needle: No mess, no fuss, no cleanup. You’ll want to stick the needle into the center of the knot and gently wiggle the knot loose by rotating the needle inside the knot. You can use a second needle or pin to pull apart the knot and unravel the chain.

This method may take the longest, but it requires no fancy, messy equipment. You’ll want to take extra care to be gentle with the pin because it is metal and can dent the chain if you’re too aggressive. Patience is your friend using this method.

Go to a Jeweler

Yes, this is a bit of a cheat method, but if you’ve tried everything else, you may need to take it to a professional. A jeweler will have the right machinery and delicacy to handle your knot.

If your necklace is particularly spendy, you may want to go to the jeweler first because they can guarantee they won’t damage or break your chain while freeing it from the knot.

Otherwise, your only remaining option is to pull the knot as tight as possible and wear it like derelicte art. As Tim Gunn would say, “Make it work.”

Untangling a Necklace Recap

Basically, lube that knot up with something metal-friendly or play it safe and take it to the jeweler. And if you don’t want the mess, take your time and pick it apart with a pin. You’ve got all day, right?

Obvious tip: When storing your necklaces, it helps to hang them to avoid the tangled knot.

Hopefully, these tips helped you untangle your necklace. If not, at LaCkore Couture , we have beautifully unique and trending necklaces to compliment your personality and style. And bonus, they come tangle-free. LaCkore offers sophisticated statement pieces and timeless signature necklaces to go with every look.

Need a statement piece to elevate your next look? Check out LaCkore’s best selling artisan jewelry.

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