Simple Fixes for Your Clothing Dilemmas: A Zipper, a Hem, and a Solution

Do you want a simple fix on how to unstick your zipper? No matter how hard we try to avoid getting zippers stuck or tearing out hems of skirts, these things are bound to happen. Fortunately, clever minds have come up with simple solutions that are handed down from one generation to the next or from friend to friend, so stuck zippers and torn hems beware!

How many times have you been ready to walk out the door, only to discover a major tragedy has befallen your outfit? Discover short, easy, and relatively painless solutions that will revitalize your wardrobe.

So, if the zipper on your brand new pair of jeans is stuck or your hem is falling down, relax. There are a few different options for attempting to unstick your zipper or to fix that droopy hemline.

First, remember to keep a clever arsenal of handy helpers at the ready and easily accessible. The best place to store these items is in a small hanging cosmetic bag that you can keep in your closet.

What you need to assemble:
· Clear nail polish
· Glue stick
· Small, white candle
· Safety pins
· Masking tape or duct tape
· Stick on Velcro
· Small pair of scissors
· Sewing needles with large eyes

Now you are ready to tackle most minor problems.

· Stuck zipper- All you need to do for a stuck zipper is to rub a small amount of candle wax onto the area of the zipper closest to the stuck zipper pull. Make sure that you rub the wax in as well as possible. Next, work the zipper back and forth until you work it free. Another solution is to use a solution of saltwater. Soak the area of the clothing with the zipper in the saltwater solution for several hours. Remove the clothing from the solution and attempt to work the zipper free. If neither of those tips work, you can always try another one of these. Soak the zipper in vinegar or a scale remover that is used for teapots and attempt to work the zipper free. As a last resort, cola is supposed to be handy at unsticking zippers. Again, soak the zipper and attempt to work it free.

· Zipper won’t stay up- Use a safety pin, loop it through the small opening that is found at the tip of almost every zipper pull, and secure the zipper to your waistband. Be sure to attach the pin with the sharpest side facing outward to avoid becoming pinched.

· Loose hem- Use a strip of tape (the heavier the fabric, the stronger the tape) to secure the hem until you have more time to sew it up. If you will be wearing the outfit for a long time, try to use adhesive backed Velcro to secure the hem.

· Clothing pulls-Use a small needle with a large eye to thread the pull to the underside of the garment. Secure it with clear nail polish, especially if it is long in length. Try to use a smaller needle for finer fabrics.

· Run in your pantyhose- Use a small dab of clear nail polish to stop the run from getting any larger.

A clothing emergency occurs and you are not at home. Not a problem if you think creatively. Hem needs a lift? Use scotch tape or a large Band-Aid to temporarily hold that hem up. Hey, worse case scenario for a loose hem and no desirable solution- use some sticky candy to hold that hem in place. Actually, I am just kidding with that one, but a bit of non-toxic glue will do the trick and the hem will be almost like new. Zipper won’t stay up? Use a small, coated paper clip. Run in your hose? Use a bit of washable glue or glue stick.

Some mistakes are more easily taken care of if they are simply avoided in the first place. Follow these simple suggestions and enjoy the absence of stress in your dressing moments.

· Drip Dry Clothing- Invest a few pennies in the purchase of plastic hangers and avoid those unsightly rust spots that may occur if a wire hanger is used to dry your clothing instead.

· Donning pantyhose-If your hands become rough during the winter months, simply apply hand cream or lotion on a nightly basis. If you’ve forgotten to keep up with this ritual, simply apply a small amount of cream or lotion and work it into the fingertips while applying it over the hands before putting on the pantyhose.

· Shoes- If your feet have a tendency to perspire, especially if you wear nylon hose, avoid the resulting odor by placing a fresh dryer sheet in the toes of the shoes. Should the shoes become excessively damp, place balled up newspaper in the entire shoe. This will not only absorb the dampness, but also the odor.

· Clothing pulls- Many pulls can be easily avoided by paying attention to the surfaces that you sit upon. Never sit directly on concrete or unsanded wood since these surfaces are notorious for creating pulls.

· Zippers- Take your time when you zip and unzip your clothing. Never leave your clothing someplace that might have an adverse effect on zippers- like the beach.

· Hems- Secure loose threads immediately. A good rule of thumb to keep up on hemlines is to check the hem every time that you launder the outfit.

Preparing for the unexpected is stress free. Being prepared when the unexpected occurs is also stress free. Keep zippers and hems in check with a little planning. Remember the motto of the better-dressed individual- quick and easy makes my day!