Zip ties are awesome. They can hold wires together, create a makeshift zipper pull, and are good at strapping small things together. The only downside is they can only be used once, until now. If you don`t know how to unlock a zip tie, the only way to get them off of what they are attached to is to cut them. This makes them seem like they are one time use, but they are not. Unlock them. They can be used again and again.

This is a video that covers how to unlock zip ties. For more detailed information, go through the photos on each step of this instructable.

Step 1: Gather Supplies

You will need:

Zip Ties

Small pointy object (needle or safety pin)

Step 2: Find the Lock

Find the small ratchet pin. It is located inside the box at the top of the zip tie. You can see it tagged in the picture.

Step 3: Stick the Pin In

All you need to do to release the ratchet is shove the needle between the locking pin and the long end of the tie. Push it in far enough that the lock releases.

Step 4: Pull

With the needle still in the mechanism, pull the end out. It is as easy as that. Zip ties that have been opened then used again will be weaker than brand new ones, but they still are very hard to release on their own.