How to Fix a Jammed Zipper With a Fork
A jammed or sticky zipper is one of the more familiar types of zipper problems. It always seems to happen when you're in a hurry and while yanking at it or going for a pair of pliers might feel right in the moment, it's actually more likely to result in a useless pair of trousers. Fortunately, a simple solution to fix that stuck zipper doesn't require fancy tools — just a standard dining fork.
You'll Need:
A fork with evenly spaced tines
A flat surface
Fixing a Jammed Zipper in 5 Steps
Flatten the Fabric: Lay the item with the jammed zipper on a flat surface. Make sure the fabric around the zipper is smoothed out to prevent additional snags. This is generally harder for denim fabric as zipper bending and bunching is more likely with the tab of fabric on a pair of jeans.
Align the Fork: Take a fork and carefully insert the middle tines into the gap between the zipper slider. The idea is to use the fork’s tines to grip the zipper slider’s base (the bottom of the base).
Pull the Zipper: With the fork firmly in place, gently pull the zipper slider up or down, depending on where it's stuck. The fork will act as leverage, helping to ease the slider over any snags. With pants zippers, be careful not to pull too hard because you don't have much room, and too much pressure can break off the original slider.
Check the Zipper Teeth: Once you've freed the slider, inspect the zipper teeth to ensure they’re aligned properly. If the teeth are misaligned, use your fingers to guide them back into place. If you find broken zipper teeth, that is a different problem.
Test the Zipper: After you've realigned the teeth, test the zipper by sliding it up and down a few times to ensure it moves smoothly. If the zipper stops along the track, repeat the process.
Can Windex cure a jammed zipper, too?
Yes, Windex can help with a stuck zipper. Spray a small amount on the jammed area and try moving the zipper gently. The lubricant in Windex can reduce friction between the zipper teeth and the slider, making it easier to free a stuck zipper. It works better than fixing a zipper with Vaseline because it is less likely to stain clothes.
Can you lubricate a zipper using a pencil?
Yes, another zipper repair trick is to unstick a dodgy zipper with a dry lubricant like graphite. You can buy powdered graphite, or just grab a pencil as an easy source. Simply rub the pencil's tip along the entire zipper, focusing on the area where it's stuck. After coating the zipper with graphite, run the zipper pull back and forth to work it in. Note: Don't use a pencil or graphite powder on light-colored zippers.