Alexei Volkov
Zippers are an essential fastening mechanism in modern clothing, but they can be frustrating when they break. A broken zipper can cause embarrassment, such as when a zipper on a pair of pants suddenly separates, or when a backpack zipper breaks and all the contents fall out. While it is possible to fix a broken zipper, plastic zippers are usually harder to fix, and it is recommended to simply replace them. However, if you're looking for a quick fix and don't mind a bit of DIY, there are several methods you can try to rethread a plastic zipper and get it functioning again.
Characteristics and Values Table
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Zipper Type | Plastic |
| When to Rethread | When the zipper teeth are misaligned or broken |
| Tools | Pliers, flathead screwdriver, kitchen knife, sewing needle, thread, lubricant (soap, lip balm, petroleum jelly, WD-40, graphite pencil, etc.), paper clip or key ring |
| Steps | 1. Remove the slider and any metal/plastic stops at the end of the zipper with pliers or a flathead screwdriver. 2. Realign the zipper teeth manually. 3. Put the slider back on and reattach the stops. 4. If the zipper pull is distorted, reshape it with pliers or replace it with a paper clip or key ring. 5. If the zipper stop is plastic or cannot be reattached, use thread to create a new one. |
| Notes | If the zipper is an invisible zipper made of thin plastic, consider replacing it. |
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What You'll Learn
How to straighten bent zipper teeth
If your zipper is stuck or broken, there are several ways to fix it. Firstly, check if the fabric of the item is trapped between the slider and the teeth. If this is the case, simply adjust the slider. If the teeth of the zipper are metal, you can use a pair of pliers to straighten them out. However, if the teeth are plastic, gently try to straighten them with your fingers, as pliers could easily break them off.
If the teeth are permanently bent or broken off, you will likely need to replace the zipper. However, you can try to fix it by using pliers to get a good grip on the bottom stop (the little band of metal or plastic at the bottom of the zipper teeth) and prying it off. If you don't have pliers, you can use a flathead screwdriver or the end of a kitchen knife. If the stopper is made of metal, you can put it back on. However, plastic stoppers are less likely to be reused and fixed. Instead, you can use thread to make a new stop. Thread a sewing needle with heavy thread and tie a knot at the end. Pull the thread up through the zipper, leaving the knot on the inside of the garment. Make six or seven stitches across the bottom of the zipper to create a new stop.
If the teeth are misaligned, you can use pliers to gently bend them back into place. You can also try the graphite pencil trick: rub the teeth with the lead of a No. 2 pencil. The "lead" is graphite, which will help lubricate the metal teeth and allow the zipper slider to move more smoothly. You can also rub the zipper teeth with a bar of soap as another type of lubricant.
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Removing and reattaching the slider
Removing the slider is an important step in rethreading a plastic zipper. If the zipper is stuck, the first step is to troubleshoot how it got caught. This could be on fabric, or the teeth may be misaligned. If the teeth are bent, gently straighten them with your fingers, being careful not to break them.
Once the teeth are realigned, the slider can be removed. Use small-tipped pliers to gently remove the U-shaped stops at the end of the zipper. Keep these stops safe, as you will need to reattach them later. With the stops removed, pull the slider off the zipper.
To reattach the slider, start by finding the 'bottom' of the zip. This is usually the end closest to the floor when the garment is worn. Feed the teeth from that end into the slider. You may need extra leverage to push the teeth into place, so try using a flathead screwdriver. Once the teeth are inside both sides of the slider, use the puller to move it up and down the track to lock it in place.
Finally, reattach the stops you removed earlier. Squeeze them back into place with your fingers or pliers. Be careful not to squeeze too strongly, as you don't want to make the gap too small.
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Using lubricants to ease zipper movement
While rethreading a plastic zipper, if the zipper gets stuck, adding a bit of lubricant can help loosen things up. You can use a dedicated zipper lubricant like Zipper Ease, which is a stick of clear wax that you can rub along the zipper teeth to keep things moving smoothly. It can be used on both metal and plastic zippers and does not risk staining fabrics. If you don't have a zipper lubricant, you can use a few common household items as lubricants.
One of the most common household items that can be used as a lubricant is window cleaner, such as Windex. Spray the cleaner onto the zipper track around the slider to help your zipper open and close easily. Lip balm can also be used as a lubricant. However, it is recommended not to use the lip balm on your lips after using it to repair your zipper. Olive oil can also be an effective lubricant. Place a drop or two of olive oil near the slider and gently wipe it away before attempting to open the zipper.
Other common household items that can be used as lubricants include soap and a graphite pencil. Soap helps clean the zipper as well. If using a graphite pencil, rub the lead of the pencil on the zipper track a few inches above and below the slider.
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Replacing the zipper pull
If the zipper pull is damaged, you can replace it with a paper clip or a key ring. Alternatively, you can use pliers to reshape it, but if it is made of plastic, you will need to find a new one of the same size. You can take it from another old zipper, or buy one online.
To remove the old zipper pull, first, remove the iron stopper at the top of the zipper with pliers. If the stopper is plastic, this may be more difficult, and you may need to substitute it with a few knots of thread. Once the stopper is removed, you can take off the zipper pull.
Next, take your new zipper pull and close the two sides together with pliers, reshaping it to look like the original. If your new zipper pull is not too worn out, you can try to close it directly onto the zipper, without removing the old one.
Finally, put the iron tooth back into place with pliers, and reattach the stopper. If the stopper is plastic, it is unlikely to be reused, so you will need to make a new one with thread. Thread a sewing needle with heavy thread and tie a knot at the end. If you don't have heavy thread, double up a regular thread and tie a knot at the end of both strands. Pull the thread up through the zipper, leaving the knot on the inside of the garment, and stitch across the bottom of the zipper to create a new stopper.
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When to replace the entire zipper
When the zipper is broken and you have tried everything to fix it, it is time to replace the entire zipper. This is also the case if the zipper has lost its shape or its teeth are missing or broken.
If the zipper slider is damaged or missing, the zipper will not stay closed, and the slider needs to be replaced. However, if you cannot find the right replacement slider, it is time to replace the entire zipper.
For pocket zippers where the two sides have detached, you will need a sewing repair or a complete zipper replacement. Similarly, if the zipper slider will no longer slide onto the bottom of the zipper to start the zipping process, a full zipper replacement is required.
If the zipper feels stiff and isn't sliding, you can try to fix it by using a candle. However, if this does not work, you may need to replace the entire zipper.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to check how the zipper got caught on the fabric. If it is stuck, gently but firmly tug the fabric to release the trapped part.
Try using a lubricant to get the zipper pull moving again. Push the slider down and use household objects as lubricants, such as soap, lip balm, petroleum jelly, or a graphite pencil.
If the teeth are plastic, gently straighten them with your fingers. If they are metal, use pliers to straighten them out.
If the zipper pull is destroyed, you will need to find a new one of the same size. You can take it from another old zipper or buy one online. If it is missing, try using a paper clip or key ring in its place.
If the above methods do not work, it may be necessary to replace the zipper altogether. Consider taking it to a local tailor or alterations shop for a replacement.
