Is there anything more frustrating than going to grab your favourite necklace only to find it knotted up with all your other chains? Cue spending what can be literally hours trying to untangle the dreaded mess. Surely there has to be an easier way to deal with this testing situation than tediously picking at stubborn knots with our long suffering nails? Well, yes, in fact there is. And there isn’t just 1 method, there’s 4! All using simple everyday items you can find at home. So come with us and discover these top tips for sorting out this notorious pet peeve. We’ve even dropped in some suggestions for how you can store your necklaces so you avoid this irritating scenario as much as possible.

How To Untangle Necklaces Using A Needle.

Equipment Needed: A sewing needle or something else thin and pointy

The Method: Place the pointed end of your sharp utensil directly into the centre of the knot you want to untangle. Then slowly wiggle the point backwards and forwards until the knot starts to give way. You can help the process by using two pins and working them in opposite directions or by gently using your fingers to unravel the chains as they come loose.

Top Tips: If you don’t have a needle, almost anything thin and pointy will do like a drawing pin, safety pin, toothpick or even the post of one of your stud earrings.

How To Untangle Necklaces Using Tweezers.

Equipment Needed: Tweezers

The Method: Follow pretty much exactly the same method as above for using a pin. You should find that tweezers are easier to control and manoeuvre than a pin giving you more control over the knot.

Top Tips: Be extra careful when using tweezers as over gripping might cause you to accidentally snap one of your chain links.

How To Untangle Necklaces Using Oil

Equipment Needed: Olive oil or baby oil, cotton bud, soap and water

The Method: If a needle just isn’t cutting it because the knots are especially tight, this could be the method for you. Apply a modest amount of either baby or olive oil to the knotted area of the chain necklace until it becomes slippery. Gently massage the knot until you begin to feel it loosen. Once everything is completely untangled, wash off the oil with mild soap and water and leave to dry naturally.

Top Tip: Using a cotton bud to apply your oil is recommended so you only use the exact amount you need. Too much oil can be difficult to work with not to mention a pain to wash out if you get it everywhere!

How To Untangle Necklaces Using Talcum Powder

Equipment Needed: Talcum powder / baby powder and warm water

The Method: Just like baby oil, baby powder will work just as well to lubricate your necklaces so it’s easier to work out knots. Pour a healthy sprinkle of the powder over your necklace and again gently wiggle out any knots with your fingers. Using a pin will speed up the process even more. Be sure to wash off the powder with mild soap and water once you’re finished.

Top Tip: Unlike baby oil, there is no need to be sparing with the amount of powder you use. Make sure you use enough to cover the whole necklace and keep adding more if you need it.

The Burning Question. Why Do Necklaces Tangle So Easily?

The answer to this question depends on where the necklace was when it became tangled. If it became tangled when you weren’t wearing it, then chances are that it hasn’t been stored correctly. Whilst trinket dishes are great for rings and stud earrings, they don’t bode well for necklaces that can intermingle with each other. The same goes for storing them in a regular box, drawer or pouch. Instead it’s best to keep you chain necklaces in properly designed storage boxes when you’re not wearing them. More on this later.

It’s very rare for a single necklace to become tangled if you’re wearing it but it is possible when wearing longer chains, especially if you’ve been doing a lot moving around, such as exercising. Multiple or layered necklaces, however, can be more prone to tangling…

Why Do Layered Necklaces Get Tangled?

Layered chain necklaces can become tackled if positioned too close together. The different chains can rub against each other as you go about your day. This can be avoided by choosing chains that are at least a few centimetres different in length, such as a choker necklace and pendant necklace, so the second chain dangles safely below the first minimising the risk of them twisting together. Our beaded gold choker necklace and an initial necklace from our range would make the perfect combo!

How To Store Necklaces To Prevent Tangling.

Get yourself a box, like our small double opening jewellery case, that has space for your necklaces to hang separately on claps or hooks. Whatever you do, avoid laying them flat, even in drawers, as the movement will cause them to tangle. Another easy DIY solution is to create a makeshift storage rack using a small cork board and multiple drawing pins, so your birthstone necklace never has to become tanged with your gold rope chain ever again!

How To Pack Necklaces To Prevent Tangling.

There are many handy storage solutions on the market which allow you to clip your necklace in place so they won’t move around when you’re on the move. Some of them even come as handy rollable wallets or pouches to help you save on space.