How to Fix a Stubborn Zipper

How to fix a stubborn zipper

There is NOTHING more frustrating then trying to zip a stubborn zipper.

Whether your zipper is stuck or just finicky (not yet stuck but cranky about sliding) I have a secret weapon that will turn that zipper into a smooth operator, wax paper.

This is another old costumer trick I learned when I worked on live productions. The best part is that it’s super cheap and safe on EVERYTHING from a designer handbag to designer shoes and clothing.

The main reason a zipper get’s temperamental is that it needs to be lubricated.  When you rub the wax paper against the zipper it will act like oil (without any residue or mess) and make the zipper work without any problem at all.

How to fix a stubborn zipper

First you’ll need to purchase any kind of wax paper. Just make sure it’s wax paper and not parchment paper.

Next, tear off a small portion.

How to fix a stubborn Zipper

Rub the wax paper on the teeth of the zipper with the zipper open. Coat both sides of the zipper.

Wax paper to fix a zipper

Now take the slider and run it back and forth to test the results. It should zip pretty smoothly.  If it’s still tough to zip you can go back and “wax” the teeth one more time.

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40 Comments

  1. Oh my gosh! What a cool tip! You wouldn’t believe the trouble I’ve been having trying to fix my husband’s coat and this might just do the trick… If it does then you win a gold star 🙂

  2. You have the best tips! I seriously have the worst luck with zippers but now I have a game plan to beat them!!!

  3. I’ve never heard of this tip before, I’ll have to try it! Usually I’ll rub graphite from a pencil onto the zipper to fix it, but that gets annoying because it discolors it. lol.

  4. What???? This is so useful! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten frustrated and just yanked it, only to break the zipper. Thanks for sharing!

  5. THANK YOU FOR THIS TIP. This could not be more timely as my winter coats are getting very stuck, and in -20 degree weather I don’t have time to have a zipper that won’t budge. Can’t wait to try this out!

  6. I used this on my Louis Vuitton handbag which had it’s zipper replaced and was very tough to open and it works like a charm! Thank you so much!

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