# How do I get a zipper unstuck?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-zipper-unstuck/330105
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 8, 2005, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-zipper-unstuck/330105 "2005-11-08T21:02:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2005, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-zipper-unstuck/330105/1 "2005-11-08T21:02:44Z")
I just body this nice zip up sweater a few weeks ago. Today as I was zipping it, one side was zipped up, but the other wasn’t. I can’t zip it back down at all. Please help me. ☹
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### Author:  [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2005, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-zipper-unstuck/330105/2 "2005-11-08T21:05:01Z")
body?
I meant, that I just BOUGHT this nice zip up.
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### Author:  [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2005, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-zipper-unstuck/330105/3 "2005-11-08T21:10:27Z")
What I used to do for my kiddos, as well as my students, was this - and it worked quite well much of the time. (Let’s see if I can put it into words). You have to work the zipper down to the bottom by going one tooth at a time, first one side and then the other. I would hold the zipper tag (handle? tab?) in one hand and then pull up on one side of the garment above the zipper then pull up on the other side. Back and forth, over and over. And I’d work the zipper down to the bottom where I could usually then separate the two sides and open the jacket, or whatever. You also have to be sure to, at the same time, remove any fabric that has been eaten by the inside of the zipper. It took three hands, and as most parents know, you only have two, but that’s the way I did it and I was an occasional hero. Good luck. xo, C.
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### Author:  [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-zipper-unstuck/330105/4 "2005-11-08T21:28:53Z")
> [@CC](#):
>
> I would hold the zipper tag (handle? tab?)
Pull tab.
Cite: [http://www.zippersource.com/parts/definitions.asp](http://www.zippersource.com/parts/definitions.asp)
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### Author:  [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2005, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-zipper-unstuck/330105/5 "2005-11-08T21:30:45Z")
> [@vetbridge](#):
>
> Pull tab.
> Cite: [http://www.zippersource.com/parts/definitions.asp](http://www.zippersource.com/parts/definitions.asp)
Whew. Thanks. I’ll sleep better tonight.
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### Author:  [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2005, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-zipper-unstuck/330105/6 "2005-11-08T22:14:50Z")
Also, if it’s a sticky zipper, rub some soap on both sides and it should be moving like a charm.
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### Author:  [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)
#### Post date: [November 8, 2005, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-zipper-unstuck/330105/7 "2005-11-08T23:06:55Z")
First, place wedding tackle in a safe position… 😛
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### Author:  [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)
#### Post date: [November 9, 2005, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-a-zipper-unstuck/330105/8 "2005-11-09T09:56:28Z")
try this site (complete with pic of buxom lady with zipper stuck (sfw) [http://www.tutorials.com/04/0462/0462.asp?ugid=dHV0b3JpYWxz&cl=1857&se=7984](http://www.tutorials.com/04/0462/0462.asp?ugid=dHV0b3JpYWxz&cl=1857&se=7984)