3 Easy Tricks to Untangle Necklaces

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(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you wear necklaces—and especially if you layer them, as so many of us do—ending up with tangled chains at some point is practically a given. Whether they're tucked away in your handbag for travel, resting atop your vanity, or simply hanging around your neck, chain necklaces have a way of getting into a tangled mess that can be a nuisance to deal with.

After one particularly frustrating knotted-necklace fiasco, we decided it’s time to explore a few solutions. Below we've outlined our top three tricks for how to untangle necklaces, so you never have to let an intertwined jumble of chains keep you from wearing your favorite pieces. The hacks are quick, easy, and rely on common household items you likely already have lying around. So don't let any more tangled necklaces slow down your day—follow the below tricks and get on your way.

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(Image credit: @hannahlewisstylist)

Tip One: Apply Baby Oil 

Apply baby oil to the knot with a cotton swab. This will make the chains slippery and the knot will come undone easier when you pull on the chain. If the knot is still tight, gently massage it until you begin to feel it loosen. Once you've untangled the knot, you can rinse the baby oil off the necklace using a mild soap.

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(Image credit: @cinnamonryan)

Tip Two: Insert a Straight Pin

Insert a straight pin into the center of the knot, then slowly pull up to separate the chains that your fingers can’t reach. You may need to work this a few ways to loosen up particularly complex knots. Be sure not to catch any openings in the chain of the necklace and risk breaking it.

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(Image credit: @misstpw)

Tip Three: Sprinkle Baby Powder

Sprinkle baby powder on the knot. This will act as a lubricant to make the chains easier to pull apart. Once you've untangled the knot, rinse the baby powder off the necklace using a mild soap.

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This story was published at an earlier date and has been recently updated.

Editor in Chief

Kat Collings has over 15 years of experience in the editorial fashion space, largely in digital publishing. She currently leads the vision for editorial content at WhoWhatWear.com as the site's editor in chief, having risen through the editorial ranks after joining the company in 2012. Collings is a Digiday Future Leader Awards nominee, was named Buzzfeed's best fashion Instagram accounts of the year, and is a member of the CFDA Awards Fashion Guild. Prior to Who What Wear, Collings worked on styling projects for brands such as Vogue, Teen Vogue, Lucky, and Oliver Peoples. She graduated from UCLA with a BA in communications and calls Los Angeles home.