Households urged to pour drops of washing-up liquid on jackets

Brits can use one household item on their jackets to fix a common problem. Washing-up liquid is useful for more than just cleaning dishes; it can also unstick zippers.

Fix’n’Zip has revealed that soap is one of the simplest ways to loosen a zipper. Adding a few drops of liquid soap, or even bubbles from a bar, can get a zip moving with quick and cheap lubrication. It can also help remove any grime that might be slowing the zip down. Drop it onto the zipper teeth around the stick area. Alternatively, mix a few drops of washing-up liquid with water, dip a cotton ball or a cloth into the solution, and rub it onto the teeth. Then, gently work the zipper slider back and forth until it moves freely. After it is fixed, clean the zipper with water and a brush to remove soap residue.

Other options for helping stuck zippers get moving include a graphite pencil. Simply rub the tip of a pencil on the teeth above and below the slider to use the graphite as a dry lubricant.

You can also use bar soap, candlewax, crayons, beeswax, lip balm, and vaseline in the same way. Be sure not to get these on the fabric, as any dye within them could stain.

Vinegar can also be used if the zipper is stuck due to rust or corrosion. Apply white vinegar to the area with a cotton swab or toothbrush and wait for any rust to dissolve.

Before you try any of these, put a paperclip through the hole in the zipper to give you a bigger handle to hold onto as you work the zipper back and forth.

If your zipper is simply caught in fabric, hold it taut and slowly wiggle it back and forth rather than pulling hard.

Be careful not to apply too much force to the zipper pull, as it may break or misalign the teeth, making the zip even more stuck than before.