How to Re-align a Stuck Zipper

Fixing a stuck or broken zipper is less expensive than tossing a garment out.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Broken, stuck, or caught zipper on an otherwise fine garment.

1. On a jacket, pull the zipper finger-handle upwards about 3 inches. You may accidentally force it up higher, if you pull too hard the first time.
   
   By pulling the zipper handle up, the zipper should now have 3 inches or so of teeth closed together. This is a good thing (although it looks like it's going in the opposite direction).

2. Next, separate a few of the teeth (3 to 5) from each other near the bottom end of this temporarily joined group.
   
   The teeth under these (on both sides of the zipper, should be sight-aligned together (i.e. both facing upward, or facing together).
   
   Squeezing these 2 rows together helps.

3. It may require a bit of brute force (strong hands or a pair of pliers may help), but tug the zipper handle further down the length of the garment.
   
   If done properly, you will have moved the handle further down.

4. Repeat this process until you reach the traditional joining area of the zipper.

Tips & Warnings

• Best done on a flat surface such as a table (for aligning the teeth).
• Table allows for an elbow surface also.
• Should be done with gloves on (gardening gloves, garage gloves) to reduce the risk of getting fingers pinched by teeth of the zipper (especially the metal teeth).