Unstick a Zipper with Liquid Soap

Soap can be used for many things but you probably never thought that it could be utilized to free your zipper from a sticky situation. It is true, though—the soap can act as a lubricant to help free up a stuck zipper in no time.

Zippers work because of interlocking teeth that grip onto each other. If the teeth won't slide easily into place, the zipper can stick. It is this type of sticky problem that you can fix by adding a small amount of lubricant to the zipper mechanism. (If your zipper is stuck because the teeth have latched onto a piece of fabric or some other foreign object, then you'll need to work that out patiently; lubrication generally won't help.)

The idea behind the soap approach is pretty self explanatory: the slippery texture of the soap will help the zipper wiggle free. The best way to go about this particular technique is to take a small amount of the liquid soap and rub it on the zipper's teeth, moving slowly and methodically so you can ease the zipper free, rather than forcing it. You don't want to yank or tug on the zipper because that won't do anything to make the zipper come loose. If you need to you can use more soap if your initial amount isn't doing much.

The biggest thing you'll need to remember is that you need to be patient in your working of the soap and zipper—you'll make no headway if you try and force the zipper. The purpose of the soap is to lubricate the zipper and make it move more smoothly—keep it smooth and all will be well!