Zip Zippers Before Washing to Protect Clothes

The Problem

You find pulls and snags on your delicate tops after washing. The culprit: an open zipper on jeans or a jacket.

The Hack

Before putting any garment with a zipper in the wash, zip it fully closed. This includes jeans, jackets, hoodies, and bags.

Why It Works

Open zipper teeth are essentially tiny metal hooks tumbling at high speed. They catch threads, snag delicate fabrics, and can tear lighter garments.

Pro Tips

• Zip up AND turn inside out for maximum protection
• Button buttons but unzip zippers on pants (opposite rules)
• Use mesh laundry bags for delicates as extra insurance
• Check all pockets while you're at it