How to Fix a Stuck Zipper?

Using many types of clothing, shoes, and accessories is made easy with a zipper. A couple of seconds and everything is securely fastened. Zippers have not changed much since their invention. The zipper itself and its manufacturing technology were patented by Gideon Sundback, a Swedish-born American engineer, in 1913. Since then, not only the type of zipper has not changed much, but also the problems faced by its owners.

A familiar picture, we are in a hurry somewhere, quickly pull the zipper to fasten ... and feel that it does not go. A state of mild panic. Frantically pulling the lock trying to free the zipper. Almost everyone at the most inopportune moment broke the zipper on a dress, jacket, skirt, backpack, or bag. Very often the zipper is in disrepair because of the breakage of the runner, but this is correctable: you can fix anything with your own hands in just 5 minutes, just inserting the runner with an ordinary table fork or other simple ways.

In general, if you urgently need to fix a zipper yourself, catch our working tips on how and with what to do. Today we're in to tell you how to fix all the zipper malfunctions you might encounter, from stuck fabric to faulty teeth, if your zipper separates, how to fix the lock, and what are some ways to prevent breakage. So please keep reading this blog and find some helpful tips.

Before reanimating the thing and proceeding to repair the lock, it is important to understand in what exact place the breakage occurred. This will depend on further actions and their complexity.

Broken runner. This is one of the most frequent problems with such clasps, which often occurs due to excessive effort. If the element is loose to the teeth, then the lock will diverge constantly. It happens that its tongue comes off at all. Any of these problems can be easily solved by either repairing the element or replacing it. More about the possible ways how to fix the lock on the zipper, we will tell you below.

Teeth that do not fit in the right place. Due to too rough actions or low-quality fittings, the teeth can deform or fly out of the row. Accordingly, the snake can no longer work properly.

Destroyed the limiter from the bottom. The problem occurs either after a very long use of the thing (the fittings simply wear out) or because of the poor quality of the parts. Usually, in such cases, replace the entire hardware, but there is one flyhack, which we will now tell you about.

It happens like this: you rush to a meeting, put on your jacket, see a stain on it, try to take it off... and you can't. The zipper is stuck! Because of a broken zipper, you may not be able to put on, and sometimes not even take off your favorite item or accessory. Too intensive attempts to fix the zipper can lead to the fact that you finally break it. And how to behave correctly and competently in such a situation?

To your joy, we have the opportunity to easily restore the functionality of this small mechanism with the help of simple items that are at hand.

First, look carefully to see if the fabric is not stuck in the zipper. Sometimes the cause of a jammed zipper is a small piece of material in the mechanism. Carefully inspect the thing for puffs, folds, or loops that may have gotten into the zipper. This problem is easy enough to fix.

1. If the zipper is dead in place, the cause is most often a stuck piece of fabric. If you notice that fabric is the cause of the zipper getting stuck, gently grasp near the problem area and gently pull. If the stuck fabric is very thin, it is convenient to use pliers or tweezers. Holding the fabric tightly, pull it in the opposite direction of the runner's movement. While holding the stuck fabric, begin to gently move the slider up and down. Try moving it in both directions to see if the fabric comes free. Often a steady up-and-down motion with a small amplitude and a little patience is enough to release the stuck piece. Be careful not to pull the fabric too hard to avoid damaging it.

2. If no interference with the lock movement is found, then try lubricating the prongs with graphite. Graphite is a very effective dry lubricant. Rub both sides of the zipper teeth with the tip of a graphite pencil. Hold the zipper closed while you work. The graphite particles will coat the edges of the zipper teeth, making it easier for the slider to slide over them. Try sliding the slider. Pull it a few times in a slow, smooth motion. If you can move it, it should begin to slide freely.

3. If nothing works, try using lube for the buckle lock. Before using lube, try applying a small amount to an inconspicuous area of the fabric to make sure the lube won't ruin it.

Apply the lubricant exactly on the prongs of the clasp. Start at the part of the clasp where the prongs are still interlocked and apply as much as possible. Try gently moving the zipper puller up and down a few times. When the grease has thoroughly coated the prongs, the zipper puller should begin to move.

What if the problem still exists: You've tried the previous hack, but it doesn't work. Solution for this situation: If the pencil and candle didn't work, it was time for the heavy artillery. Put a layer of petroleum jelly or hygiene balm on a cotton swab, and then work it into the teeth. The greasy product will not only lubricate the metal but will also help remove small particles that may have gotten stuck in the zipper.

Other things to consider when dealing with a jammed zipper:

Before dealing directly with the zipper itself, check if the fabric is stuck in it. Sometimes, to solve the problem of a jammed mechanism, it is enough to carefully pull out the stuck part of the thing. If you can not pull out the fabric yourself, it is better to take the thing to an atelier.

If the zipper does not give in - force will not save the situation. Do not pull the runner too insistently, so you will only spoil the thing.

Check if there are no broken teeth on the zipper. If the cause of the jammed mechanism is in this case, the zipper will have to be completely replaced.

To make zippers on clothes and shoes serve you as long as possible, periodically clean the locks with an old toothbrush.

Before using a special lubricant, check whether the product does not leave traces on the fabric. To do this, apply a small amount of the solution to an inconspicuous area of the thing.

To avoid problems with zippers on bags and suitcases, try not to overload them with too many things. In addition, do not take items out of them without unzipping them all the way.

Yes, this situation happens especially with zippers on jeans. In some jeans, the zipper immediately or over time “lives a life of its own” and comes undone at the most unexpected moment. This is very uncomfortable and sometimes even embarrassing..... Let's see what to do if you are unlucky enough to face such a problem.

✅With the help of a key ring or rubber band
RingThe solution for those who have a spontaneous lowering of the doggie. To prevent it from sliding down, take out the tongue of the runner (bite it with a tool), and in its place a rubber band or key ring. Then zipper up the zipper to the top hook the improvised tongue to the button of the jeans, and then fasten the button.

There is one more way. Maybe pay attention to the fact that in the zipper there is a window, so here in it you can hold a paper clip and hook it to the belt loop. It's not the most convenient way, but it helps in case of emergency.

✅Spray hairspray
HairsprayThe method is resorted to mainly in the sudden detection of problems with the base of the zipper. That is, in cases where it is not possible to immediately carry out a normal repair of the zipper, but you need to somehow hide the presence of the problem. To disguise it, spray a large amount of hairspray on the base of the zipper and allow the layer to cure. Then go home and change your clothes as soon as possible.

The product applied in this manner will show adhesive qualities as it dries. It will bind the teeth together, but it will not hold them securely. Sharp or sloppy movements will cause the teeth to separate again.

It's much easier to properly care for an item with a zipper from the beginning than to deal with lock repair later. So here are some simple tips to help prevent breakage.

Before machine washing, do not forget to zipper the product! And the thing itself is better to turn inside out. If the snake has features, and in case of breakage it will be difficult to replace its elements, choose a delicate washing mode or wash it by hand.

Regularly lubricate the iron mechanisms so that they work smoothly.

Periodically check the condition of the slider: whether it “sits” normally in place, and whether the “tongue” does not come off.

Plastic zippers are better not to iron, and if in the process of ironing it is difficult to bypass it, use a thin fabric as a lining.

Do not pull the zipper too hard, even if it is sticking. The problem is always not a lack of effort, but some kind of damage that can easily be aggravated.