Featured:
Allergies
Grilling Guide
eHow Now Blog

How to Lubricate Vinyl Zippers

How to Lubricate Vinyl Zippers thumbnail
Fix those stubborn vinyl zippers.

A stuck zipper can be a nuisance, but a solution is easily found. Several household items as well as specially made lubricants can get your vinyl zippers running smoothly again. Whether your zipper is snagged or just running roughly, a simple application of a lubricating agent can fix it. Don't throw your favorite clothes in the back of the closet just because the zipper is stuck. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

  • Zipper lubricant (spray, stick, gel or liquid)
  • Cloth
  • Bar of soap
  • Wax candle
  • Lip balm
  • Liquid soap or shampoo
Show More

Instructions

  1. Lubricant

    • 1

      Unzip your zipper as far as you can.

    • 2

      Clean your zipper with water to remove dirt and grime. If your zipper is particularly dirty, use a small brush, such as a toothbrush or the brush that came with the lubricant to clean the teeth of the zipper. Dry well.

    • 3

      Apply a few sprays, drops or rubs of zipper lubricant to both sides of your zipper. If there are snags in your zipper, add a little extra lubricant at the snagged spot.

    • 4

      Zip and unzip your zipper a few times to distribute the lubricant. If needed, reapply lubricant and repeat the process again.

    • 5

      Wipe away excess lubricant with a clean cloth.

    Soap, Candle or Lip Balm

    • 6

      Zip up your zipper as far as you can.

    • 7

      Rub either the bar of soap or a wax candle over the teeth a few times. If your zipper has a stubborn spot, rub a little extra soap or wax into that area.

    • 8

      Zip and unzip your zipper a few times to distribute the soap or wax. If needed, reapply and repeat the process.

    Liquid Soap or Shampoo

    • 9

      Zip up your zipper as far as you can.

    • 10

      Put a small amount of liquid soap or shampoo on your finger tips, and rub it into the teeth of the zipper. Move slowly and methodically to work the soap into the teeth and loosen any snags. Work a little extra soap into any snags to loosen that part.

    • 11

      Gently zip and unzip your zipper to distribute the soap. Reapply soap if needed.

    • 12

      Wipe away excess soap with a clean cloth.

Tips & Warnings

  • For particularly tough snags in a zipper, liquid lubricant or liquid soap are the best solutions.

Suggest item

Related Searches:

References

Resources

  • Photo Credit Zipper image by Gudellaphoto from Fotolia.com

Comments

You May Also Like

  • How to Lubricate a Zipper

    If those jeans are tight as all get-out and really tough to zip up, you may need to lubricate the zipper. When...

  • How to Lubricate Nylon Zippers

    There is nothing more frustrating than a stuck nylon or plastic zipper, especially if you are just about to leave the house...

  • How to Lubricate Plastic Zippers

    A stuck zipper is one of life's little frustrations that we all could do without, especially when it is attached to an...

  • The Best Way to Keep Zippers From Going Down

    Zipper care is important for functional and safety purposes. A zipper going down on a pair of pants or a dress is...

  • How to Lubricate a Jeep Soft Top Zipper

    As your Jeep's soft top ages, it typically becomes harder to operate. The zippers on your Jeep Wrangler's soft top can become...

  • 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...

  • How to Fix a Separated Zipper

    A separated zipper can make getting in and out of your clothes a struggle. Instead of ripping the old one out and...

  • How to Make Plastic Zipper Pulls

    Zipper pulls may fall off after being snagged on something, after yanking them too hard and sometimes as a result of normal...

  • How to Lubricate Vinyl Windows

    Vinyl windows are an economical addition to your home, and less difficult to clean than standard windows. Sometimes though, vinyl windows can...

  • How to Make Zipper Zip Easy

    Stuck zippers are a problem and this issue plagues both old and new clothes. There are some steps you can take to...

  • Suggestions on Lubricating the Zippers on Jeep Soft Tops

    Suggestions on Lubricating the Zippers on Jeep Soft Tops. If you're planning an open-air drive on a sunny day, it can be...

  • How to Recycle Lubricating Oil

    Every gallon of used motor oil that is discarded improperly can contaminate 1 million gallons of drinking water. Motor oil is one...

  • How to Fix a Jeep Zipper

    Jeep zippers need care in order to stay in good working order. Jeeps are tough vehicles designed to go off-road. There's nothing...

  • How to Put a Zipper in Plastic Boat Windows

    Adding a zipper can make any boat window more versatile and useful. Boat windows are typically made out of transparent vinyl. You...

  • How to Avoid Snags

    Perhaps you're tired of snagging little holes in your favorite knits, or maybe you're always pulling laundry out of the washing machine...

  • How to Lubricate an Elliptical

    Using an elliptical machine is a great way to stay in shape, but these machines are also costly. If you own one,...

  • How to Lubricate Nylon Bushings

    Nylon bushings (bearings) can be used with or without any lubrication. Nylon bushings are typically very quiet, can be easily molded, exhibit...

  • How Do You Install an Invisible Zipper?

    Creating a beautiful garment is all about the details. An invisible zipper serves its function without detracting from the beauty of the...

  • How to Make a Zipper Glide

    A sticky or stubborn zipper can make life difficult. Whether the zipper closes a tent, a wetsuit, a jacket or a pair...

Related Ads

thumbnail
Featured