How to Wax a Zipper

If you have a zipper that's hard to zip or unzip, then zipper wax will keep your zipper lubricated for months, if not longer. A waxed zipper can help with stubborn zippers on jackets, book bags and other pieces of luggage, but they are most commonly seen on dry suits because they are constantly exposed to elements that can adversely affect how well zippers work. You can purchase zipper wax at clothing stores, diving stores or online, but you can also use wax from objects you might have around the house, such as candles.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Zipper wax or unscented wax candle

1. Unzip the zipper so it is in the open position and the zipper's teeth are separated.

2. Run your wax along the outside of the zipper's teeth. This is the side of the zipper that faces the zipper pull, which is the part of the zipper you hold to zip and unzip the zipper.

3. Run your zipper pull up and down the zipper to evenly distribute the wax.

4. Run the wax along the inside of the zipper's teeth if waxing just the outside doesn't seem to work well.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are in immediate need of help with a stuck zipper and don't have any wax handy, you can use a bar of soap. The soap will not last as long as wax, which is beneficial so you can wash the soap out when you finally find some wax. If you are waxing a zipper that you know will be exposed to damaging elements, such as with dry suits, wax your zipper before it actually needs it.

Resources

• Zipper Wax at Amazon.com