A jammed or sticky zipper is one of the more familiar types of zipper problems. It always seems to happen when you're in a hurry, and while yanking at the zipper pull or going for a pair of pliers might feel right in the moment, it's actually more likely to result in a broken zipper and a useless pair of trousers. Fortunately, a simple solution to fix that stuck zipper doesn't require fancy tools — just this life hack and a standard dining fork.
You'll Need:
- A fork with evenly spaced tines
- A flat surface
Fixing a Jammed Zipper in 5 Steps
- Flatten the Fabric: Lay the clothing item with the jammed zipper on a flat surface. Make sure the fabric around the zipper is smoothed out to prevent additional snags. This is generally harder for denim fabric as zipper bending and bunching is more likely with the tab of fabric on a pair of jeans.
- Align the Fork: Take a fork and carefully insert the middle tines into the gap between the zipper slider body. The idea is to use the fork's tines to grip the zipper slider's base (the bottom of the base).
- Pull the Zipper: With the fork firmly in place, gently pull the zipper slider up or down, depending on where it's stuck. The fork will act as leverage, helping to ease the pull slider over any snags. With pants zippers, be careful not to pull too hard because you don't have much room, and too much pressure can break off the original slider.
- Check the Zipper Teeth: Once you've freed the slider, inspect the zipper teeth to ensure they're aligned properly. If you have misaligned zipper teeth, use your fingers to guide them back into place. If you find broken zipper teeth, that is a different problem.
- Test the Zipper: After you've realigned the teeth, test the zipper by sliding it up and down a few times to ensure it moves smoothly. If the zipper stops along the track, repeat the process until you get consistent pulls.
Can Windex cure a jammed zipper, too?
Yes, Windex can help with a stuck zipper. Spray a light layer on the jammed area and try moving the zipper gently. The lubricant in Windex can reduce friction between the stuck teeth and the slider teeth tracks, making it easier to free a stuck zipper. It works better than fixing a zipper with Vaseline or WD-40 lubricant because it is less likely to stain clothes.
Can you lubricate a zipper using a pencil?
Yes, another zipper repair trick is to unstick a dodgy zipper with a dry lubricant like graphite. You can buy powdered graphite, or just grab a pencil as an easy source. Simply rub the pencil's tip along the entire zipper, focusing on the area where it's stuck. After coating the zipper with graphite, run the zipper pull back and forth to work it in. Note: Don't use a pencil or graphite powder on light-colored zippers.
