This Five-Second Hack Will Keep Your Earbuds From Ever Getting Tangled Again

Everyone has earbuds these days.

Whether you're riding the bus or taking a jog in a local park, you're likely to see people wearing them — like this guy in Maine who used his love of music to make something wonderful happen in the middle of a store!

Earbuds, which fit inside your ears instead of over them, are the less-bulky descendent of traditional headphones, but they come along with one big disadvantage.

No matter what I try, I can't seem to keep my earbuds from becoming a giant tangle of wires.

Every time I want to go for a run, I have to spend a minute or two carefully unwinding the knots and smoothing the wires so that I can wear them properly.

That's why I was so excited to find this simple life hack posted by Domenic on Instructables.

Scroll through the images below to learn a super-easy wrapping technique that will ensure your headphones never get tangled again!

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Instructables

This picture perfectly demonstrates the problem with earbuds.

Although they're compact and easy to transport, the long cords always seem to get horribly tangled somewhere along the line.

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Instructables

Tired of dealing with this mess every time he wanted to use his earbuds, Instructables user Domenic decided to create a solution.

He starts by untangling all knots out of the wire, and grasping the earbuds between his thumb and index finger.

The rest of the cord should trail behind the pinky finger, as shown here.

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Instructables

The next step is to pull the trailing end of the wires around your pinkie to the front.

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Instructables

Then, wrap them first around the back of your index finger, then to the front.

After a few more turns, it should start to look like a figure eight wrapped around your fingers.

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Instructables

Continue wrapping in this fashion until there's about five to 10 inches of cord left.

This remaining cord is what you'll use to secure the wires so that they can't become unwrapped.

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Instructables

Now you'll need to begin winding the remaining cord around the middle of the figure eight you just made, right where the cords criss-cross each other.

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Instructables

Domenic explains: "Make sure it is REALLY tight. It may be a bit difficult at first, but it will get easier with practice."

Keep wrapping the cord around the crossed wires until you have about 1 1/2 to 2 inches left.

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Instructables

With the remaining cord wrapped tight around the figure eight, carefully remove your pinkie from its loop.

Insert what's left of the trailing end of the cord through the bottom loop where your pinkie just was, and pull it tight.

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Instructables

The result is a tangle-proof set of earbuds that will stay perfectly wrapped until you need to use them again — even if you toss them in your purse or shove then in a pocket.

Do you use earbuds or traditional headphones? Tell us in the comments.

Please SHARE this easy hack with anyone who gets frustrated by tangled cords!