How can I untangle a very fine jewelry chain?
It happens to everyone from time to time, and it’s very frustrating. You take a necklace out of your jewelry box, and the chain is hopelessly tangled. What to do? A tangled chain is under stress from being held at the wrong angle, and this can lead to permanent damage if you’re not very careful. Trying to untangle jewelry without making it worse can be difficult, but we’ve got some tips for how to untangle a necklace.
- A thin, lightweight necklace might benefit from a bath. Filling a bowl with soapy water, made with dish soap or hair conditioner, suspend the chain in the water. The buoyancy of the water may allow you to work apart the knots. Once you’ve got the chain untangled, thoroughly rinse it to avoid dulling or damaging the finish.
- Baby powder can ease a necklace out of a knot. Lay out a soft cloth and put your necklace on it, then douse it with baby powder, sprinkling it generously to cover the entire chain. Very carefully, without pulling or being aggressive, gently try to ease out the knot. The baby powder will lubricate the chain, which should allow you to work out the tangle more easily. If you’re having trouble, add more baby powder and consider using a pin to assist you. You can also use baby oil, if you prefer.
- It may surprise you, but Windex can act as a lubricant as well. If baby powder and oil don’t work and you’re wondering how to get a knot out of a necklace some other way, you can use Windex to do it. The idea is the same, but the technique is a little different. Rather than dousing the necklace in Windex, dab some onto a cotton swab and apply it just to the knot. Put the necklace in a small container and set it on something in the house that vibrates, like the washing machine. After it’s been vibrating for a few minutes, the tangles should be loose enough for you to rub the knot with your fingers and pry gently apart. Clean the residue off of the necklace with water and mild soap, rinsing thoroughly and drying with a paper towel.
- Use a pin to work out the knot. Sometimes you can untangle a necklace by using a pin, thumb tack, or very small screwdriver. Simply put the tip into the knot and wiggle it until it comes loose. Be very careful not to break the chain if you use this method.
- When all else fails, visit a jeweler. If you can’t seem to get the tangles out of a chain, take it to a jewelry shop. Jewelers have tools to untangle chains without breaking them, and can also fix any bends or kinks that have already made their way into the chain.
- To prevent future knots, store necklaces properly. Even better than knowing how to untangle jewelry chains is knowing how to prevent them from becoming tangled in the first place. Hang chains on a necklace form, to avoid potential tangling and damage.
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