Getting zippers running again – tips for caring for and repairing zippers
Sluggish zippers? No reason to despair! With simple tricks and a little care you can get zippers back in shape.
Jamming and jerking: lubrication is the solution
A stiff zipper can hinder your enjoyment of your favorite clothes. Often only the teeth are stuck together. A soft pencil helps with dark metal zippers - run it back and forth on the teeth. The fatty graphite lubricates and facilitates movement. Be sure to wear light-colored clothing as graphite can leave black marks. Clean plastic zippers with a cotton swab and soapy water or a little petroleum jelly. Silicone oil or Teflon spray are suitable for plastic zippers on bags or tents, but leave oily marks.
Before washing, you should always close the zipper, especially with metal zippers, to avoid possible damage. Open metal zippers in the washing machine can damage other items of laundry.
Zipper-Facts
Zippers have an interesting history. The American Whitcomb L. Judson patented the first zipper in 1892. They have been an integral part of clothing since the 1920s. The abbreviation "OPTI" on the zipper refers to the German manufacturer Opti, while "YKK" stands for the Japanese Yoshida Kōgyō Kabushikigaisha Group, which has also been producing in Germany since 1967.
Slide is missing or broken: repair options
A missing slider does not necessarily mean the end of the zipper. You can often find suitable repair sliders in haberdashery stores or online. These are simply inserted into the opened zipper and it can be used again. If the slide handle is broken, you can improvise with a paper clip or safety pin. Special cords from haberdashery also offer a solution, particularly practical for jacket zippers or small sliders.
Bent teeth or tooth loss: gentle repair attempts
You can carefully correct any slight bending of the teeth using small flat-nose pliers. This requires tact so as not to further damage the zipper. If teeth are missing in the lower area, shortening the zipper by simply sewing it can sometimes help. However, if zippers are severely damaged, repair is often no longer possible and replacement is advisable.
Zipper opens by itself: fix it
A common problem: The zipper opens by itself. This can be particularly annoying on pants. With a pair of pliers and a little feeling, you can carefully press the sides of the slider together again. Be careful not to press too hard to avoid binding. If this trick doesn't help, you can thread a key ring into the slider and secure it with the trouser button. This measure ensures that the zipper stays closed again.
Care: cleanliness and lubrication
Caring for zippers is crucial to their lifespan. Dirty zippers on shoes, bags, tents or backpacks should be thoroughly cleaned of dust and dirt regularly. Soapy water and an old toothbrush are suitable for this. Lubrication is important after cleaning. The pencil method with graphite or the application of silicone oil or Teflon spray ensure smooth operation. Remember to care not only for clothes, but also for accessories such as bags and backpacks.
Careful care and timely repairs extend the life of your zippers and conserve resources.
If you have any questions about care and durability, please take a look at our articles; perhaps one or two tips will be useful to you there.
