How To Get A Zipper Unstuck From Fabric

So how do you unstick a zipper? It's a great question and one that we at the ultimate backpack can answer.… we use zippers on our backpacks and garments every day, and if you're like me the zippers get dirty and over time can stick.

The good news though is that in the majority of cases it's relatively easy to unstick a zipper. By simply applying some of these solutions you can free up a zipper starting to stick or one that is seized in place.

We'll also show you how with a little care, you can help prevent the problem from happening again.

So how to unstick a zipper?

If you have a zipper that is starting to stick but can still be moved slightly, here are a number of solutions to help fix the problem and free up the zipper.

Start by giving the zipper a quick clean and then apply some lubricant to the teeth and slider mechanism. The lubrication will help the zipper to slide more freely.

Some great household items to use are

Rubbing a chapstick on the teeth.
Rubbing candle wax on the teeth.
Rubbing soap on the teeth.
A few drops of vegetable oil or coconut oil applied to the zipper slider.
A spray lubricant on the teeth and slider (use carefully so as not to damage the fabric) – We recommend

If your zipper won't move at all.

If your zipper is completely stuck and won't budge then its best to start simple and keep trying solutions until you find one that works.

We find the most common causes of a stuck zipper are:

Dirt and debris stuck in the zipper mechanism
A fabric thread caught in the zipper
Salt build-up on the zipper
Corrosion on the zipper

Dirt and Debris

Often zippers become stuck due to a build of dirt and debris. We take our backpacks everywhere with us, so it makes sense that they get stuck every now and then due to a build-up of dirt and debris.

To fix this;

First, start by checking to see if there are any large pieces of dirt in the zipper that you can clean out. If so, use a pair of tweezers and pick and poke out the large pieces that might be causing the problem.

It's quite common to find a piece of stitching fabric caught in a stuck zipper. In this case look to cut the strand first and then remove with tweezers.

Once finished, apply some water to the zipper and with a small brush like an old toothbrush, clean away any smaller pieces of dirt that still remain.

Apply some pressure on the zipper and see if it will release. Sometimes it will only move a small distance and needs to be worked back and forth to free it up.

If water on its own is not working, try applying warm non-detergent soapy water solution or a water and vinegar solution and clean out the zipper with a brush.

If you are finding that the zipper is still stuck, try applying some Windex or glass cleaner to the zipper mechanism. You will be fine doing this with most backpacks, but be careful with garments as the window cleaner could potentially damage the fabric.

The other solution is to apply WD-40 to the zipper, WD-40 is a spray lubricant commonly used in industrial applications. Its known for being used to unstick mechanical components and it can work well on zippers. Be very careful though as WD-40 is not designed for use on clothing and has the ability to damage the materials around the zipper…. Use with caution.

A nice tip when unsticking a zipper is to add a large zipper pull to the zipper slide. The zipper pull gives a nice handle to hold onto and apply a bit more force on the zipper.

Salt build up on zippers

If you're using your zipper in an outdoor or marine environment it can over time build up a layer of salt and seize. There are a number of ways to remove the build-up but it's best, to begin with, the safest options first.

Start by trying to dissolve the salt by washing the zipper with warm water and giving it a scrub.

If your zipper is still stuck, then try washing and scrubbing with a non-detergent soapy water solution to clean it out.

You can also try dissolving the salt build up by washing and brushing the zipper with a mildly acidic solution. The easiest safe household options include a vinegar solution, cola (phosphoric acid ) or lemon juice (citric acid).

Another option that can work is to soak the zipper overnight. This allows the liquid solution time to soak the zipper and hopefully unstick it. We find that using a baking soda or vinegar solution works best in this situation.

Prevention

Salt build-up on the zipper is easily preventable. Everytime your zippers are in contact with salt water or used in a salty environment simply give them a clean afterwards to wash away any build-up.

We suggest giving your backpack or clothing a rinse, but if that's not possible a simple wipe of the zipper will work.

You can also look at applying a zipper lubricant to help protect the zipper. ( Our choice)

Corroded zipper

Metal zippers are fantastic and strong, but If your zipper is exposed to salty air or water they can corrode. This contact with the salt causes the metal in the zipper to begin breaking down, resulting in a seized zipper.

corroded zipper, how to unstick a zipper

Ideally, if you're using equipment around salt water look to use plastic or stainless steel zippers, but we know that is not always possible.

Corroded zippers are not nice and in most cases, it is very hard to unstick them. If you have managed to capture the corrosion in the early stages then brushing with a vinegar solution will help release the zipper.

If you find that this is not working then it is likely that the zip is too far gone. Unfortunately, in this case, your only options are to replace the zipper slider or the whole zipper.

The best way to prevent corrosion on zippers is to clean regularly when exposed to a salty environment. If you know your gear is going to be out in the weather a lot, then look to prevent the problem and use zippers made from plastic or stainless steel.

Be Careful!

There are a lot of varying tips about how to unzip a zipper and a
number of websites recommend using Vaseline or petroleum jelly on
the zipper.

We do not recommend this approach. While petroleum jelly can be a great lubricant for the zipper it will be messy, but worst of all, it will attract and hold dirt that will end up re-sticking the zipper.

Good luck!
We hope these ideas work for you and provide a solution on how to unstick a zipper.