How can I fix a slippery zipper?

Kate, your a gem :) I'm off to try the pliers. i know it will work as it makes sense once pointed out.

Bella
April 2012

I hate broken zippers, this always did the trick though http://howtofixstuff.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-fix-broken-zipper.html although you do have to be somewhat good with your hands

Julkoa
December 2011

I’ve had the same problem. I found a product called ZipperAde that works great. It is an inexpensive, undetectable, and washer/dryer safe solution that keeps your zipper from falling down. Check it out at www.zipperade.com.

Stay Fly
June 2011

key ring - genius idea

Kevin
May 2011

Thanks so much for the pliers tip, you just saved a great pair of jeans.

sl_island
April 2011

Yea! The clamping worked! Thanks so much!

Chrissy
January 2011

the keyring solution is brilliant, i was able to wear jeans that have been broken for months, you cant see the keyring at all, and it keeps the zipper up perfectly

Bri
December 2010

The keyring solution is also great. Thanks. I no longer have to wear long jumpers.

Vicky
November 2010

Kate's pliers tip was working well but then I gave it one last go and used too much pressure and the zipper pull snapped! So make sure you don't apply too much pressure!

Bex
June 2010

Get a keyring (just the plain, small metal ring part).

Thread it through the hole in the top of the zipper puller.

Zip your jeans up, and hook the keyring over the button.
Then button the jeans.

The keyring is hidden behind the material, and the zip can't fall down.

Isaac
June 2010

clamp it.

linnie
January 2010

Wow Kate. You just saved a FABULOUS pair of pants from being relegated to private-wear only. Thanks.

Laura
March 2009

Kate's pliers trick really worked. I had two pairs of my teenager's jeans with zippers that just wouldn't stay up. On the first pair, I blew it and clamped down too hard. Woops! I took it easier on the second pair and it worked! Again.... take it easy and it works!

Lisa
October 2008

That tip about using pliers is BRILLIANT!

Take care and squeeze gently, bit by bit. I did a few squeezes and it seemed to have no effect, so I gave it a hard squeeze - and the zipper stuck solid. Ooops! I managed to work the zipper very gradually up and down with the pliers, and after about 20 up-and-downs it was free enough to use. Whew!! Excellent answer.

Jinx
October 2008

I just want to say THANK YOU for this tip! I have a favorite pair of shorts with this exact problem & I took a pair of plyers to the zipper pull & they were fixed immediately!!!!!

NancyPG
September 2008

Basically, the zipper pull has become loose over the teeth and is sliding down over the teeth too easily. There's nothing wrong with the teeth, it's all with the zipper pull.

Take a clamping tool (pliers work well) and apply it to one side of the zipper pull, while the zipper is open (on either side of the pull tab) that actually goes over the teeth and clamp down a little bit. Then do the same to the other side. It doesn't really take a lot of pressure. Then test. If it holds better, then you are done. If it doesn't hold, apply a little bit more pressure. Don't do too much or you'll never get the pull to zip and unzip. Then you're screwed.

Kate
August 2006