Whether you’re faced with a jacket or bag, you may sometimes find yourself dealing with a zipper that gets stuck. As tempting as it may be to use brute force to open the zipper, this may damage the teeth or make the entire thing fall apart. Instead, we recommend adding a bit of lubricant to loosen things up. You can buy zipper lubricant, but if you don't have any available, here are five common things you can use to lubricate a zipper that you may have lying around the house.
Soap is one of the best and simplest ways to loosen up a stubborn zipper. Whether you use liquid hand soap or create some soapy water with a bar, this can help get that slider moving again. An added bonus is that using soap helps clean your zipper.
If you have a pencil on hand, you can use the graphite to help unstick your zipper. Carefully take the sharpened tip of your pencil and start coloring in the zipper track a few inches above and below the slider. The graphite dust works as a lubricant and will get the zipper moving smoothly.
One of the most common things you can use to lubricate a zipper is window cleaner, such as Windex. Spray the cleaner onto the zipper track around the slider to help your zipper open and close easily.
If you have some extra lip balm, use the smooth, waxy substance as a wonderful form of lubrication. However, after using your lip balm to repair your zipper, we don't recommend putting it on your lips again.
Only one or two drops of olive oil can serve as the ideal solution for lubricating your zipper. Place the oil near where the slider is stuck, then gently wipe it away before attempting to open it. Your zipper should slide like normal again.
After lubricating your zipper with one of these common household items, we highly recommend taking some water and a clean toothbrush and cleaning off your track. Leaving any form of lubricant on the zipper may lead to more problems down the road.
For more helpful information about how to fix a zipper, turn to FixnZip. We have a variety of helpful tools and topics to ensure you can repair or replace your fasteners. Contact us today for more information.
