Keep It Away From Water and Chemicals
Hand-knotted cord holds its shape and colour far longer than most people expect, but it's still a natural fibre, not a wetsuit. Chlorine and salt water are the two biggest culprits we hear about — both work their way into the weave, dry the cord out, and make the knots stiffen over time. It's worth sliding your bracelet off before a swim, a shower, or a session at the sink doing dishes.
Watch Out for Perfume, Lotion and Sunscreen
The second most common cause of a cord bracelet ageing badly isn't water at all — it's what's already on your skin. Perfume, hand cream and sunscreen all contain oils and alcohols that can darken lighter cord colours and leave the metallic end caps looking dull. A simple habit fixes this: put your bracelet on last, after your skincare routine, not before it.
Adjusting the Sliding Knot Without Fraying It
Every Bella Flor bracelet with an adjustable closure uses a sliding knot rather than a fixed clasp, which means you can loosen or tighten the fit yourself. Pull the two loose ends gently and evenly — don't yank one side harder than the other, and don't force the knot past its natural stopping point. If it feels like it's catching, stop and work it slowly rather than pulling straight through.
Storing Your Bracelet Between Wears
Cord doesn't like being balled up in the bottom of a bag or left tangled with chain jewellery — chains can nick the cord fibres and pull threads loose. Lay it flat in a small dish or drawer, or loop it loosely over a hook. If you're travelling, a soft pouch keeps it away from anything with a clasp or hook that could snag it.
When (and How) to Re-Knot a Loose Closure
After months of regular wear, a sliding knot can loosen slightly — that's normal cord behaviour, not a fault. If yours starts sliding further than you'd like, a drop of clear nail glue on the knot itself (not the cord) will hold it firmly in place without stiffening the bracelet. If you're ever unsure, send us a photo through the contact page and we'll talk you through it.
Looked after this way, a hand-knotted cord bracelet is genuinely built to be worn every day for years — that's the whole point of choosing something made by hand rather than stamped out by a machine.
