we all reuse

Many zips that seem broken are just stuck or have come off their teeth. There's a simple trick to fixing a stuck zip or to putting it back together, even if the 'puller' has come off one or both of the ends of the zip.

Most stuck or gaping zips can be fixed by holding the top of the zip together, and then pulling the zipper down firmly. In most cases the zip will now do up again with ease. You can also avoid damage to your garments or the pain of delicate skin being caught in a zip by holding the index finger between the zip and the fabric or your skin as you go.

Zips are made from interlocking teeth that are forced together by the zipper head. If the teeth are bent or missing, you will have to replace the whole zip.

If one end of the zip has come loose, you can in many cases rethread the zip by carefully inserting the loose end of the zip into the free channels in the zipper and pulling upwards.

You can even do this with both ends of an open zip if you are careful

It's also fairly easy to repair light plastic zips, when the spiral of teeth have come loose from the fabric.

Using a simple stitch you can sew the teeth back onto the fabric. This is especially useful for boot zips that wear in a particular place.
Heavier plastic zips cannot fixed by sewing in this way as the teeth are bonded to the fabric, and they fit too tightly to allow then to be sewn round.

They do make very good replacements for old metal teethed zips.

Broken zips may be easy to replace, but on they cost a fortune to replace, especially the long zips on luggage and bedding. You can of course plunder zips from other sources, from clothing to old sleeping bags. You could then use cut up the sleeping bags to stuff a cushion or two…

If the zip is in a garment with a lining or from leather or other heavy fabric, it is best to have the zip replaced professionally.