How to Make a Zipper Slide More Easily with Household Items

Over time, many zippers will become more difficult to zip. However, this doesn’t mean you have to replace the zipper altogether; there are plenty of DIY ways to make a zipper slide more easily. In this article, we’ll teach you how to loosen a hard to close zipper manually, through cleaning, and by lubricating it. Plus, learn how to replace a zipper and fix other common zipper problems.

How do you make a zipper slide easier?

Make sure the zipper isn’t stuck on anything, then clean it with a bit of dish soap or vinegar to help it glide smoothly. If that doesn’t work, rub the zipper and its teeth with a lubricant like soap, wax, a graphite pencil, or even a window cleaner. Move the zipper back and forth a few times to fully saturate it.

Section 1 of 5:

Ways to Manually Loosen a Zipper

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Sometimes, even if the zipper is structurally sound, it needs some coaxing to start sliding smoothly. Gently unzip it, then try to zip it back up, repeating as necessary. This will sometimes solve the issue, especially if the zipper just caught on something.
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Pinch the fabric above or below the zipper. If the zipper’s teeth seem like they’re trying to pull away from each other, pinch the fabric below the zipper and gently coax the slider upward. Pinching the fabric above the zipper can also help, as it gathers the teeth together when they’re having a hard time catching.
- Pinching above the zipper often helps when you’re trying to zip clothes that are a bit too tight.
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Closely examine the zipper and make sure there isn’t anything like thread or hair stuck in it. If something is in the way, pull it out to see if that fixes the problem. Move the zipper back and forth as necessary as you remove the obstruction.^{[1]
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Over time, a zipper’s teeth can get bent out of alignment, causing many problems for the zipper. Look to see if all of your zipper’s teeth are straight and in line. If they’re not, use a small pair of needle-nose pliers to bend them back into place. Be gentle, as using too much force can pull the teeth off.^{[2]
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Section 2 of 5:

Ways to Lubricate a Zipper

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Apply a zipper lubricant. Using a specialized lubricant is one of the most straightforward ways to fix a stubborn zipper.^{[3]
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Research source} Follow the zipper lubricant’s instructions to apply it correctly, though usually you’ll apply a few drops along both sides of the track and spread it around. Once the lubricant sets in, the zipper should slide easily.
- Find zipper lubricant online or in most stores that carry zipper repair kits.
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Rub the zipper with a bar of soap. The slippery texture of the soap will help the slider move up and down more easily on the zipper. Choose any bar of soap available and rub it on the teeth of the zipper while the zipper is open. Then zip it up and down a few times to get it properly lubricated.^{[4]
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- Use petroleum jelly the same way.
Graphite works as a great natural lubricant, making it easier to zip up stubborn zippers. Rub a graphite pencil along the inside of the zipper, trying to get into the teeth as much as possible, as well as the back of the zipper. Move the zipper up and down a few times to help get the graphite in place. Then, simply brush off any excess dust.^{[5]
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Rub the zipper with wax. Almost any wax will do, including wax paper, paraffin wax, candle wax, and even crayon wax. Rub the wax directly onto both sides of the zipper while the zipper is open.^{[6]
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Research source} To really loosen the zipper, wipe off any excess from the fabric, then blow over the zipper with a hair dryer. This will melt the wax and allow it to penetrate the teeth better. Once it cools, run the zipper back and forth to test it.
- If you’re using wax paper, tear off a small sheet and rub it on both sides of the zipper a few times. Run the zipper back and forth to test it, and if it doesn't work, try it again.
- Make sure it’s wax paper, not parchment paper.
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Apply lip balm to the zipper. Most lip balms contain wax, so they’re also a great lubricant for zippers. Find a lip balm you don’t plan on using anymore and rub a bit on the zipper’s track. Move the zipper back and forth to really get the lip balm in the track and make the zipper easier to move.^{[7]
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- If you plan on using the lip balm again, don’t rub it directly onto the zipper. Apply it with your finger, a clean cloth, or another method. This will help prevent any dirt or germs on the zipper from coming in contact with your lips.
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Try a bit of olive oil. Oil is a great lubricant, and the natural composition of olive oil won’t damage your zipper. Use a cotton swab to dab a few drops above and below the zipper and work it up and down until it glides smoothly. Wipe up the oil with a cloth or paper towel when you’re finished.^{[8]
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- Olive oil can discolor some fabrics, so test it in an inconspicuous area first.
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Try a household powder. Powders can also act as lubricants for zippers.^{[9]
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Research source} Choose a common household powder, like talcum powder, baby powder, or even cornstarch. Sprinkle a bit of the powder on the zipper, then move it up and down to lubricate it. Dust off any excess.
- You may need to wash your clothes or the zippered item after using this method, as powder can be messy.
One of the most basic and common lubricants is window cleaner. It’s also not oil-based, meaning it won’t harm your clothes. Simply spray a bit on your zipper, then move the slider up and down to lubricate it.^{[10]
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Section 3 of 5:

Ways to Clean a Zipper So It Glides Smoothly

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Remove rust with WD-40. Sometimes, rust can form on the inside of a zipper or on a zipper’s teeth, making it hard to move. Carefully inspect your zipper to look for signs of rust. If rust is present, apply a household anti-rust lubricant, like WD-40, according to its instructions. Just be careful not to get it on the fabric of the garment.^{[11]
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- This problem usually happens more often with cold-weather outdoor garments.
Tiny pieces of debris often get caught in zippers, making them harder to zip.^{[12]
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Research source} To clean the zipper out, soak a cotton ball with vinegar. Lay the item flat and run the cotton ball up and down the zipper on both sides, as well as the inside of the teeth. Be careful not to get the vinegar on the fabric if you think it may bleed.
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Scrub the track with dish detergent. Dip a small, soft-bristle brush (like a toothbrush) into soapy water. Gently scrub the zipper and its track to remove any debris that may be causing the zipper to stick. Then, rinse and dry the item and see if your zipper is less sluggish.^{[13]
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- Dish detergent is gentle enough for most fabrics, but test it in an inconspicuous place first to make sure it won’t affect the color of the garment.

Section 4 of 5:

Replacing a Zipper

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Use a seam ripper to remove the old zipper. Turn the item inside out so you can see the back of the zipper and the stitching holding it in place. Use a seam ripper to remove the stitches until the zipper is separated from the fabric on both sides. Be sure to measure the old zipper so you know what size to get for the new one.^{[14]
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- Replacing the zipper may be the best option if you can’t loosen it on your own, if it’s missing several teeth, or if fixing it yourself seems like more trouble than it’s worth.
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Sew on the new zipper. Line your new zipper up where the old one used to be and pin it in place. If possible, install a zipper foot onto your sewing machine, then sew the zipper into place with a straight stitch.^{[15]
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- If you don’t want to use another zipper, consider sewing on some velcro or buttons instead.
- If you don’t have sewing experience, consider taking the item to a professional tailor. This will be easier than replacing it yourself and it doesn’t cost too much.

Section 5 of 5:

Fixing Other Zipper Problems

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Fixing zipper teeth that keep popping open Zipper teeth may get out of alignment and create gaps when a zipper slider is loose. Examine the slider to see if it’s misshapen, then use needle-nose pliers to gently crimp the slider until it’s back to its original size. Test each side of the slider with your fingers and make adjustments as needed until both sides are even.^{[16]
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- A zipper slider is the mechanism under the pull that brings the two sets of teeth together.
- Professional tailor Shaelynn Haning says, “Over time, the slider loosens…. So what I will go in and do is use pliers on that bottom edge of the zipper slider and kind of crimp it gently on either side and tighten that area that the teeth are sliding out of on the bottom. That way, there's more resistance and the teeth are coming back together tightly the way that they would have originally.”
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Replacing a zipper slider Buy a new slider that has the same number that’s stamped onto the original one. Use pliers to remove the top stop (the metal part at the top of the zipper that keeps the slider on the tracks), then move the slider up and off the zipper. Feed the new slider onto the teeth, starting where you removed the top stop. Then, use pliers to replace the top stop with the new one that came with your new slider.^{[17]
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- If your slider doesn’t have a number stamped on it, take it with you when shopping for a new one so you can measure them.
- If your slider is stuck in the “locked” position, stick something small like a paper clip under the pull tab loop and pop the lock open.
- Haning says, “You can purchase sliders in any type of size. So say you've pulled yours off but the teeth still look good, you can actually buy a new slider to slide it right back on.”
Buy a zipper pull tab of the same size online or at a fabric store. To replace the pull, use pliers to gently open the top of the zipper slide, just wide enough for the pull tab. Slide the pull tab into the zipper slide and close the slide with the pliers.^{[18]
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Keeping a zipper from sliding down Attach a key ring through the opening in the zipper tab. Then, zip up the zipper and hook the ring around your pants button. Alternatively, weave a rubber band through the opening in the zipper tab and hook the two loops of the rubber band around your pants button.^{[19]
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- Another option is to spray hairspray along the last inch of the zipper teeth. As the hairspray builds up, it should stop it from unzipping itself. However, you’ll likely need to unstick the zipper later on.

Community Q&A

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Question

How can I remove stuck fabric from a zipper?

GrayGray4231

Community Answer

If you are able to, you could just pull it out. Otherwise, try putting some pencil lead on it, and it should come right out.

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How can a zipper be pulled closed on a dress that has very small slider and the part you hold onto is shaped like a small droplet, there's so little to hold that I can't grip it properly?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Purchase an extendable magnet from a hardware or automotive store. These are designed to pick up screws that are dropped in hard to reach places, So long as the zipper parts are metallic, the magnet should work. You can also use a cord pull. Tie a paperclip to a string that will fit through the zipper loop Use a needle threader through the loop and pull the string through long enough for you to pull over the shoulder. Pull the open end of the string so that the paperclip can push the zipper up. Simply remove the string by pulling out the paperclip and string.

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Tips

Be gentle whenever zipping or unzipping. Being too rough can damage the zipper and make it harder to use.

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When possible, remove hardware like zippers, pins, and buckles when washing your clothes to prevent snags and abrasion.

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Warnings

Always test any lubricants or cleaning products in an inconspicuous area first to make sure they won’t damage the item.

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