Zippers always seem to break at the most inconvenient times! Zippers can be damaged due to various reasons. It could be because the teeth or the stop is missing. It could also be because it is not lubricated or bent. Try to repair a broken zipper before replacing or disposing of it.
Step
Method 1 of 7: Fixing a Jammed Zipper
Step 1. Lubricate the zipper with graphite
If the zipper won't budge, applying lubricant can get it moving again! The graphite in pencil number 2 contains natural oils. Rubbing or scraping graphite against the teeth of the zipper will lubricate the zipper path.
- Move the pencil up and down on the teeth of the zipper, or move it only on the part of the tooth where the zipper is stuck.
- Move the zipper head up and down until it moves smoothly along the zipper teeth track.
Step 2. Apply soap if needed
If graphite doesn't work, apply laundry soap to the stuck zipper. Pour a small amount of laundry soap into a small dish, pour a little water into another dish, and prepare some cotton balls.
- Dab a cotton ball with laundry soap and dip it in a dish of water to dissolve the laundry soap.
- Use the wet cotton ball to apply to the zipper teeth.
- Dab a cotton ball on the zipper and try to unzip it slowly-the zipper might just move a little! If the zipper won't move any further, return the zipper head to its original position. Repeat this step until the zipper is smooth.
Step 3. Wash the zipper and reapply lubricant if needed
After applying the lubricant, close the zipper. Wash the zipper as usual. If the zipper gets stuck again, reapply the lubricant, close the zipper, and wash it again.
Method 2 of 7: Fixing a Split Zip
Step 1. Reduce the pressure on the zipper
If your purse, backpack, or backpack is full of objects, the added pressure on the zipper could cause the teeth to loosen. If the zipper separates on clothes or shoes, this is often a sign that the clothes or shoes are too small.
- Reduce the number of items in the bag. Get out your wallet, leave some books at home or carry around, or move some items into another backpack. If the contents of the bag have been reduced, the zipper can move smoothly.
- If you're trying on new clothes at the store, buy one that's a size up. If there are clothes with separate zippers in your closet, increase the size of the clothes.
Step 2. Remove the accumulated dirt from the zipper teeth
If dirt accumulates on the teeth of the zipper, the zipper cannot be closed. Combine water and soap in a small dish, stirring until foam forms. Wet a clean cloth with the soapy water and wipe the zipper teeth. Take a clean cloth and wet it under running water. Wipe the soapy water on the zipper teeth with the damp cloth. Try to close and unzip as usual..
Step 3. Straighten the bent zipper teeth
Crooked zipper teeth can cause the zipper to pop open. To straighten crooked teeth, all you need is tweezers or sharp-tipped pliers. Look for bent zipper teeth and use tweezers or pliers to pull the teeth straight. Repeat if necessary. Be careful not to pull the teeth out of the zipper tape. Try the result of this repair by opening and closing the zipper as usual.
Method 3 of 7: Repairing a Broken Jacket Zipper
Step 1. Check for damage
If the jacket zipper is damaged, check the zipper to determine the extent of the damage. You can fix it easily if there are missing teeth on the top of the zipper, the head of the zipper is bent, or the head of the zipper comes off at the top of the zipper. If any teeth are missing at the bottom or center, or the bottom stop is sagging, you will need to replace the zipper.
Step 2. Remove the top zipper holder
Remove the top stop of the jacket with pliers. Pull hard! Usually, both restraints are released. However, if you prefer not to remove both, or it's okay if they don't fit, remove the top holder from the part of the zipper that has the square tab on the bottom.
Step 3. Repair or replace the zipper head
Move the zipper head up. Check the zipper head from the side. Is the gap between the bottom and top of the zipper head misaligned? The misaligned gap prevents the zipper head from gripping the zipper teeth properly, causing them to separate. You can replace the zipper head or gently bend it with pliers.
If you replace the zipper head, the size is listed on the back. If the size is not listed, measure the zipper head. Zipper parts are measured in millimeters. A zipper head with a length of 5 mm means the size is 5. Purchase a replacement zipper head at your local fabric store
Step 4. Install the zipper head
Look for the part of the zipper that has a square chip at the bottom. Insert the zipper teeth of this part into the zipper head. If necessary, use a flat-head screwdriver to insert the tooth into the zipper head gap. Move and pull the zipper head until it moves under the zipper. Try closing the jacket as usual.
- If the zipper is still damaged and the zipper head has been replaced, you may have purchased the wrong size. Try zipper heads of different sizes.
- If you bend the original zipper head, then the gap may still remain uneven. Remove the zipper head and bend it again. Repeat until the jacket zipper can be closed properly.
Step 5. Replace the top zipper holder
Place the top zipper holder over the set of teeth. Use pliers to secure the holder in place. Press 4 to 5 times to tighten it. Repeat on the other side of the zipper. If you are replacing only one top zipper holder, make sure you place it on the side of the zipper with a square piece on the bottom.
The zipper head always stays on this side of the zipper and the top retainer keeps it from sag
Method 4 of 7: Repairing a Pants Zip with Missing Bottom Teeth
Step 1. Re-align the teeth and close the zipper
If the zipper teeth are missing, the zipper is prone to damage. If there is a missing tooth at the bottom of the zipper, you can temporarily fix it.
- First, move the zipper head under the zipper. Angle the zipper head and use a flat-head screwdriver to insert a set of teeth into the zipper head.
- Move and pull the zipper head when closing the zipper - make sure the teeth come together! When the zipper head reaches the top, press down on the square piece or zipper pull to keep the zipper head in place.
Step 2. Remove the seam at the bottom of the zipper
Turn the pants so that the inside is outside and look for a seam at the bottom of the zipper slit (the bottom of the inner fabric layer that covers the zipper). Remove the seams in the area with a seam ripper.
Step 3. Insert the new bottom holder
Flip the pants so the outside is on the outside. Press the holder into the pants directly over the old holder-the new zipper holder will cover the missing lower teeth. Turn the pants over and check that the holder is perpendicular to the zipper. Tighten the holder with pliers so that it is in place.
The bottom zipper holder is measured in millimeters. Find out the required size by measuring the width of the closed zipper
Step 4. Reseat the bottom of the pants zipper slit
Use a sewing machine or needle and thread to replace the removed stitches. Flip the pants. Open and close the zipper to ensure the repair is successful.
Method 5 of 7: Repairing Trouser Zippers with Missing Upper Teeth or Upper Brace
Step 1. Prepare the zipper for repair
If the top teeth or top zipper holder are missing, the zipper head may sag or fall apart. Pull the zipper head up. Flip the pants so that the insides are outside and look for a seam that secures the zipper opening at the bottom (the layer of fabric on the inside of the pants that covers the zipper). Remove the seams with a stitch remover. Use pliers to remove the bottom holder - pull it hard!
Step 2. Replace the zipper head
Flip the pants so that the inside is on the outside. With the zipper in reverse, insert the left set of teeth into the left side of the zipper head and the right set of teeth into the right side of the zipper. While you are holding the bottom of the zipper with one hand, move the zipper head slowly toward the center of the zipper with the other hand. Fasten the zipper head by pressing the zipper puller.
Step 3. Replace the bottom zipper holder
Flip the pants so that the outside is on the outside. Press the bottom zip holder into the pants directly under the bottom set of teeth. Turn the pants over and check that the holder is perpendicular to the zipper. Press the zipper holder with pliers to secure it in place.
The bottom zipper holder is measured in millimeters. Find out the required size by measuring the width of the closed zipper
Step 4. Replace the top zipper holder
Flip the pants so that the outside is on the outside. Place the top zipper holder directly over the top teeth on the left side of the zipper. Press the holder into place with pliers. Press 4-5 times to tighten it. Repeat on the right side of the zipper.
Step 5. Re-sew the zipper slit layer
Flip the garment so that the inside is on the outside. Use a sewing machine or needle and thread to replace the removed stitches. Back clothes. Open and close the zipper to ensure the repair is successful.
Method 6 of 7: Replacing a Broken Zipper
Step 1. Unzip
If the tooth is missing in the center of the zipper, then the entire zipper must be replaced. Use a seam remover to remove the original zipper stitch. When all the seams have been removed, cut the zipper tape at the top and bottom to remove the zipper from the garment.
Be careful not to remove the top seam. Be patient to remove these stitches
Step 2. Tighten the new zipper
Unzip the new one. Secure the left zip tape on the garment with a safety pin followed by a loose basting stitch. Close the zipper and secure the right zipper tape by pinning a few safety pins. Unzip and finish pinning and basting stitching. After pinning and basting both sides of the zipper tape, close the zipper to make sure the teeth align. Make the necessary adjustments before moving on to the next process.
Step 3. Sew the zipper
Put special shoes for sewing zippers on the sewing machine. Sew each side of the zipper on top along the original seam row. You can choose to make an extra row on the top seam of each side of the zipper if you're worried that the zipper will sag. After sewing, test the zipper to make sure it opens and closes properly.
Method 7 of 7: Repairing Broken Zipper Pullers, Sagging Zippers, and Misaligned Teeth
Step 1. Replace the damaged tow
Get new round-tipped pliers and pullers ready. Remove the old puller with round-tipped pliers. Open the metal ring attached to the new puller with round-tipped pliers and hook the exposed metal ring over the head end of the zipper. Use round tip pliers to close the metal ring and secure the new puller in place.
Step 2. Fix the pants zipper
Fix the zipper in a simple and fast way. Attach the keyring to the end of the zipper puller. Close the zipper and attach the key ring to the pants button.
Step 3. Align the zipper teeth
Unaligned zipper teeth will prevent the zipper from working properly. Remove the bottom zipper holder with pliers. Move the lock head toward the bottom of the zipper without pulling it. Align and align the zipper teeth with your fingers. When you move the zipper head up slowly, make sure the zipper teeth are aligned properly. Attach a special thread to sew a strong button on the needle. Make 6-10 stitches overlap each other where the zipper holder is. Tighten the thread on the inside of the garment and cut off the rest. Try out the newly repaired zipper! If the zipper teeth are misaligned, open the seam with a seam remover and repeat the process.
Tips
- Be patient and don't hesitate to try more than one method.
- Go to your local fabric and sewing supply store for help or advice.
- Do not use graphite on white or light colored zippers.
- The laundry soap will help loosen any lint that is stuck to the zipper head or inside the teeth.
- You can use different types of lubricants if graphite or laundry soap is not available. Try lip balm, glass cleaner, wax, or petroleum jelly. Before using any of these materials, try them on hidden areas to make sure they don't stain or damage your clothes.
- You can use a cute lock bracelet instead of a regular zipper puller!
