You can also use a small rubber band if you are looking for a flexible option. A rubber band can be good if your zipper tends to unzip itself and get stuck mid way on the zipper. The band can stretch enough to allow you to attach the zipper slider to the top button of your pants. Some zippers “lock” when you push the zipper pull down. If this is the case, you probably don’t need to add anything to keep your pants from unzipping. However, if your pants don’t lock anymore, you might need to replace the zipper. [3] X Expert Source Margo WestProfessional Tailor Expert Interview. 7 December 2020.
If you are using a rubber band, you can put the rubber band through the hole in the zipper slider and then loop the top part of the band through the section on the zipper slider to form a knot. You should have a knot with a long section of the band loose at the top of the zipper slider.
If you are using a rubber band, grip the long section of the rubber band and loop it over the top button on your pants. If you are trying to fix another garment with a zipper besides a pair of pants, loop the key ring or rubber band over the top button on the garment, such as the top button on a dress or a skirt. Keep in mind this method looks better on dresses or skirts that have hidden zippers, as the key ring or rubber band will show if the zipper is exposed.
Remember to be careful when going to the bathroom, as you will need to remove the top button and then the key ring to take off your clothing.
End nippers. These can be found at your local hardware store and can be used to cut nails, wires, and zipper stops. Tweezers. Small pliers. A replacement zipper slider, which you can buy at your local craft or fabric store. Be sure to get a replacement coil zipper slider if you have a coil zipper and a plastic tooth zipper slider if you have a plastic tooth zipper. Coil zippers are made of tight coil and plastic tooth zippers are made of plastic. [8] X Research source A replacement zipper stop. Zipper stops can be made of metal (for coil zipper sliders) or plastic (for plastic tooth zippers).
Once you cut and remove the zipper stop, use a pair of tweezers to get rid of any remaining pieces of the zipper stop. Make sure all of the zipper stop has been completely removed from the zipper teeth.
Make sure the zipper slider is facing right side up when you slide it on the zipper. The zipper slider should move easily up and down the zipper once it is attached.
Take the pliers and bend the top of the zipper stop around the edge of the webbing. The single tooth on the stop should go through the back part of the webbing. Use the pliers to crimp the stop into place. Try out your new zipper, making sure it runs smoothly and does not unzip on it’s own.
To make sure the zippers stay closed, you can use safety pins. Loop the safety pin through the zipper slider and attach it to the top of the garment so the zipper stays closed in the washing machine and the dryer.
You should also take clothing with zippers out of the dyer right after the drying cycle is done so you can lay them flat. Straightening out the clothing and the zipper on a flat surface will prevent the zipper from drying with crooked teeth. This could prevent zipper jams and other issues down the road.
Clothing made with 100 percent cotton is especially prone to shrinkage, which can cause noticeable puckering around the cotton-polyester zipper tabs. You may want to hang dry clothing made of cotton and other materials that are prone to shrinkage, rather than run them through the dryer.
