What's the Best Way to Unstick a Zipper?

If you've ever owned a pair of jeans, a jacket, or any item in which a zipper plays a central role, then you are well aware of how utterly frustrating it is when the mechanism gets stuck. You fear tugging it too hard as you try to unstick it because you don't want to break the whole contraption, you look crazy while you're trying to fix it—the whole thing is just a mess.

Determined to nix this issue forever, we asked celebrity stylists Emily Current and Meritt Elliott for the best secret they know to unstick a stubborn zipper, and they shared their wisdom with us. Plus, you already have everything you need to fix that annoying zipper at home. Follow these easy steps and never waste time over a stuck zipper again:

  1. Use ChapStick to unstick a zipper, Elliott told us. We bet any kind of lip balm or even Vaseline would work, too.
  2. Apply a little to where it's sticking, and try the moving the zipper as you normally would.
  3. Zip it right up! If the zipper is still not functioning properly, try using the chapstick on the opposite side and apply a bit to the areas above and below the problem spot.

Eureka! Never fuss with a stuck zipper again.

Keep scrolling to shop 19 pieces that are covered in zippers and therefore awesome.

Meghan Blalock
Managing Editor

Hailing from the heart of the South and cutting her teeth on the mean streets of New York, Meghan has six years of experience covering fashion, style, celebrities, culture, and human behavior. A longtime devotee of rap music, tacos, and generally perfect weather, she is excited to put down roots in Los Angeles. Her top three style staples are a good pair of cutoff shorts, virtually any kind of colorful digi-print, and a solid set of shades.