A stuck zipper is frustrating\u2014whether it’s on your favorite jeans, winter jacket, or expensive suitcase. Before you resort to force (which usually means the end for the teeth), try these gentle home remedies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s your first-aid plan for stuck zippers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s how: Rub a soft pencil lead (graphite) firmly over the zipper teeth, especially where it’s stuck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Effect: The graphite forms a lubricating film on the metal or plastic, and the slider glides smoothly again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If graphite doesn’t work or you’re wearing light-colored clothing (graphite can stain), oil-based lubricants are the best choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Home remedies: A bar of dry soap, a white candle (stearin\/paraffin), or even a colorless lip balm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Application: Run the material over the closed and, if possible, open teeth of the zipper. Then gently move the slider back and forth to distribute the lubricant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the most common problem with jackets. Often, the lining has become caught in the zipper pull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Solution: Don’t pull on the zipper pull. Instead, try very carefully pulling the trapped fabric out of the slot with tweezers or your fingernails while gently pushing the zipper pull in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prevention: Smooth the fabric outwards with your fingers before closing the zipper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problem here is usually not lubrication, but rather that the slider (the “carrier”) has become slightly bent from use. It no longer presses the teeth together tightly enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pro tip: Take a small pair of pliers and very carefully squeeze the two sides of the slider together with minimal pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Caution: Proceed only millimeter by millimeter! If you press too hard, the slider won’t move at all or it will break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When is it a lost cause?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Missing teeth: If teeth have broken off the zipper chain, usually the only solution is to have the entire zipper replaced by a tailor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bent metal teeth: You can sometimes carefully straighten these with pliers, but often the material is fatigued afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A quick mental math check for repairs: If the tailor charges \u20ac25 for a new zipper, but the jacket only cost \u20ac30 new, the repair is usually only worthwhile for environmental reasons. For a \u20ac200 coat, however, the \u20ac25 is money exceptionally well spent!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you currently have a particular problem child made of metal or plastic in front of you?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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