How can I tighten up my loose jeans zipper?

Awesome! Thanks, Markus!

Rich Fielding.
July 2012

Four years on from the original reply by Marcus and still the best, easiest and effective reply. Thank you so much!

Mary
June 2012

I bought one of these zippertabs (www.zippertab.com) cost me £2.50, did the trick.

amie Boyle
November 2011

Try out Zipperade. Found it while searching online, and has worked like a charm.

Kyle
September 2011

Thank you Marcus. My girlfriend instructed me to fix her zipper or else it was a full day of shopping at various malls to find the right pair of jeans to replace her favorite ones. Using my quick thinking and lack of effort I prayed to Google and was granted Happiness for one more day.

Kavika
June 2010

Markus, I was at a loss to do with my favourite jeans until I read your simple yet highly effective solution.

had it fixed in under a minute, works a charm.

Legend

Cheers

Andrew in NZ
May 2010

Markus, what a great and simple solution, thank you!

And so people don't have to scroll down to see the brilliance of Markus, here's what he suggested:

"This is more of a "jury rig" than a complete fix.

Get a key ring (just a simple loop) made of durable metal. Attach it to the hole in the tip of the zipper's tab. Zip up, but before buttoning up, loop the key ring loop around the button. Once buttoned up, the whole contraption is hidden away.

Easily lengthens the life span of an old pair of jeans!"

Markus T.
May 2008

Brendon C.
May 2010

I know a few have applauded Marcus already but I also want to join the throng. "thankyou Marcus". Now I no longer fear meeting my new girlfriends family with an open fly

Paul
April 2010

I second that, Susie. Absolutely brilliant, Markus

Partha
February 2010

Markus,
That keyring solution is inspired! Thank you for making me a happy camper tonight!

Susie (Ashland,VA)
January 2010

Markus, brilliant mate!

Aussie
March 2009

Markus, completely brilliant. I bought 2 new pair of jeans a while ago that I could never wear because they were defective and I didn't realize it in the dressing room. Works like a champ! Thank you.

David
January 2009

I just want to comment on Markus T answer. That is brilliant. I tried it today and it totally works. Thank you.

ANNE P.
December 2008

if you unzip the zipper, carefully paint the teeth with a thin coating of superglue (making sure not to get any on the pants), and wait until the glue is completely dry, the zip should fasten easier.

this also works after a couple of washes, so you don;t need to re-apply the glue frequently.

hope this helped!

Amalia
October 2008

This is more of a "jury rig" than a complete fix.

Get a key ring (just a simple loop) made of durable metal. Attach it to the hole in the tip of the zipper's tab. Zip up, but before buttoning up, loop the key ring loop around the button. Once buttoned up, the whole contraption is hidden away.

Easily lengthens the life span of an old pair of jeans!

Markus T.
May 2008

You can unzip the zipper, and brush a light coat of clear fingernail polish on each zipper row, let dry, then the zipper should keep itself up as there is a little more 'grab' to each side of the zipper. This may have to be done again after washing several times as fingernail polish doesn't stay on, as we all know, but this will help get a little more life out of your clothing that the zipper is on.

lizbeth97341
July 2007

Zipper Repair
Over time, a zipper's sliders can become loose. If you pull up the slider and the teeth don't stay closed behind it, the slider should be tightened or replaced. If the teeth themselves are damaged, you may need to replace the entire zipper.

Required Equipment
Hinged or adjustable (not needle-nose) pliers
You may also need:

Zipper stops, found at fabric stores or MEC
Scissors
Replacement slider
Needle and thread
Tighten Sliders

Move the slider to the bottom of the zipper. Put the pliers around the slider, so that the pliers are gripping it from the inside and outside of the garment (you may need to undo some stitching). Needle-nose pliers will place uneven pressure on the slider, and can wreck it. Gently squeeze the left side of the slider, then squeeze the right side. Test the zip. You may have to re-squeeze the slider until the zipper functions, but avoid squeezing so hard that you jam or break the zipper. If the zipper does not separate at the bottom (ie, the fly on a pair of pants), a few teeth at the bottom may not properly engage. To fix this, install new bottom stops, or sew the teeth closed.

Replace Sliders
For zippers that do not separate at the bottom you may need to open the seam and remove the bottom stops, or cut away the bottom half inch of the zipper. For zippers that separate at the bottom, such as a jacket, remove one or both of the top stops.

Zip the slider off the end of the zipper where you removed the stops. Place the two ends of the zipper teeth into the front two openings of the slider. Holding the teeth together, move the slider up or down the zipper. It may require a few tries to get it sliding evenly. Once the slider is operating, attach new bottom or top stops. If necessary, sew the bottom of the zipper closed and re-sew any seams required.

::Answer found at www.mec.ca

Linda H.
July 2006