reparation

The zip that gets stuck

Short answer: A zip usually jams because fabric or a thread has caught in the teeth. Pull gently backwards and free the fabric instead of pulling harder, and you avoid damaging both the zip and the fabric.

Do not pull harder

The harder you pull, the further the fabric gets into the zip, and the harder it is to get out. You also risk tearing a hole in the fabric or bending the teeth. Instead, pull the zip back a little way, so the fabric has room to slide out of the slider again.

Free the fabric

Hold the fabric with one hand and pull the slider slowly backwards with the other. Wiggle it gently from side to side if it is stuck. If a thread is caught, you can use tweezers to pull it out. Take your time, because this is where most damage happens.

Dirt in the teeth

Lint and dust gather in the teeth over time and can slow a zip down. Brush the teeth clean with a dry toothbrush, and run the slider up and down a few times afterwards. If it still runs stiffly, rub a pencil lightly along the teeth, so the graphite makes them smoother.

Fabric close to the zip

On soft hoodies and tops the fabric lies close to the zip and is easily caught, especially at the neck and at the bottom. Hold the fabric taut and away from the zip with one hand while closing with the other. It takes a second longer but saves you many jammed zips.

Close the zip in the wash

An open zip snags other clothes and can bend itself in the drum. The teeth can pull threads out of soft fabrics and leave snags that cannot be removed. Close the zip fully and turn the garment inside out. Read also about snags in bamboo clothing.

Washing

Besides closing the zip, it helps to wash at a low temperature with mild detergent and to avoid the tumble dryer. Heat can make plastic zips brittle, and the dryer wears on both zip and fabric. Let the garment air dry on a hanger. See the washing guide.

See the range

Hoodies and tops with a zip are often worn every day, and the zip is opened and closed many times. Handle it calmly and it lasts longest. The full range of soft tops, trousers and hoodies is gathered in sweatwear.

For women

Hoodies for women often have a lighter zip and a thinner fabric that is more easily caught. Hold the fabric away from the zip when closing, and always close it before washing. See the matching items in bamboo hoodies for women.

When it will not close at the top

If the zip opens again by itself, or the teeth part behind the slider, the slider is worn and no longer closes properly around the teeth. It can rarely be fixed at home. A tailor can often replace the slider or the whole zip. See bamboo hoodie for men.

Be gentle every day

Open the zip fully before pulling the top over your head, and do not tug on the slider to adjust the top. Use the fabric instead. Small habits like these help the zip last as long as the rest of the garment.