How to solve the salt problem on the zipper

December 11, 2017 BY TRIMS CO.,LIMITED Zipper Knowledge

Many of our items are inseparable from zippers. Do you know that salt buildup will hurt our zippers? If you are using plastic molded zippers, the salt buildup can clog the zipper. On metal zippers, however, salt buildup can cause corrosion when left untreated, and can permanently damage the parts of the zipper. If the salt is accumulated in a large amount, the Waterproof Zipper may lose its function, and the invisible decorative zipper may no longer be beautiful or even useable.

Salt is everywhere. It could be from the dusty air during the summer, and in winter, there is a good chance you can get salt buildup from the snowy sidewalk and even your front porch. Thus, zippers on outdoor fashion items and equipment tend to get affected more, such as those on your boots, scuba gear, raincoat, tents, outdoor bags, and many more.

How to solve the salt problem on the zipper?We have some simple methods

First we must prevent salt accumulation

1. Do not store items in a damp place. In other words, keep your garment zipper, boot zipper, and tent zipper dry.

2. Regularly Rinse Your Items

If they are exposed to salt, for example, if you are living or just visiting the beach, rinse and wipe down immediately.In winter, it`s also better to rinse immediately especially for items like boots, coats, etc.Always rinse your tents after use.

If salt already exists on the zipper, please use the following method

Use Fresh Water

Seemingly obvious, this can be a problem if the zipper already got stuck from the salt buildup. In that case:You can also use a bar of soap or candle wax.

Avoid petroleum-based product, such as Vaseline and other greasy skincare products. They can attract dirt buildup and clog the zipper.

If necessary, you can use needle nose pliers to hold the zipper slider and try to move it up and down. Remember not to be too rough, or you may misalign, or worse, break the zipper altogether.

You can use freshwater to help dissolve the salt, simply using tap or hose water, and scrub the zipper using a brush with small wire.

If the salt buildup is heavy, you can use non-detergent solution in a bucket of warm water, and scrub the zipper with a stiff brush or similar equipment.

Make sure you don`t damage the zipper and surrounding garment materials with the brush. Also, do not use steel wool. It is effective to remove salts, but small pieces of them can break off and cause corrosion damage.

Then use a clean towel to completely clean the zipper from excess water or other residues. Make sure to use a clean towel so you don`t clog the zipper further.

For a light buildup of salt, using freshwater might be enough to dissolve the salt and remove the problem. If there is salt after washing with water, we need to use vinegar

1. Rub With Vinegar

Vinegar can be used to clean a lot of household items in a cheap and effective way.

Pour white vinegar into a container, and use a soft toothbrush to rub the zipper gently. Rub both sides with the vinegar, and wash with water completely afterward.

If you don`t have vinegar lying around, you can also use cola or lemon juice.

2. Soak Overnight

Use a solution of vinegar mixed with water. White vinegar is preferable.