Free repair of your broken stuff around Puget Sound

King Country repair group at White Center

Got broken stuff? Are you favorite jeans torn? At “repair cafes”, you can bring broken household items or torn clothing for repair, such as small furniture, small appliances, and electronics.

During the event, an experienced all-purpose fixer or sewer will work on your item, or help you learn to repair your broken and ripped stuff yourself. Either way, you must usually be present while your item is being fixed so you can learn, too. These are DIY-events, not drop-off and return events.

The overall success rate at these repair events has been 70 percent or higher. Sometimes, they are able to only diagnose the problem, perhaps to identify the part you need to buy before the repair can be completed. Some electronics may be difficult to fix. And some items are simply beyond repair.

Below we list upcoming repair events around the Puget Sound region. Each repair event or group operates a little differently, based on the needs of the local community. They might meet only once or twice a year, or they might meet more often. The types of items that can be repaired vary from group to group.

As a general rule, bring items small enough to be easily carried in by one person. Do not bring any items that are leaking, dangerous, contain gasoline, or have a strong odor.

Note that for most events, you must register in advance. So be sure to visit the websites below to register and confirm whether your item is a likely candidate for the repair group.

Snohomish County repair events

For more information about WSU Snohomish County repair cafes, visit: http://extension.wsu.edu/snohomish/event/repair-cafe/all/

September 22, 2018, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Public Works Meeting Room, 3200 Cedar Street, Everett, WA 98201
November 10, 2018, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Public Works Meeting Room, 3200 Cedar Street, Everett, WA 98201

Washington State University Snohomish County Extension programs connect the people and communities of Snohomish County with the knowledge base of Washington State University to promote quality of life and advance economic well-being through fostering inquiry, learning, and the application of research.

King County repair events

For more information, visit the King County Repair Group.

Sat. Sept. 22, 2018, 10am-1pm, Woodinville Library
Tues. Sept. 25, 2018, 3-6pm, Burien Library

Besides repair groups, on the King County EcoConsumer website, you can find information about recycling clothing and shoes; ways to reduce junk mail, how to celebrate holidays in an eco-friendly fashion, and much more. If you want to save money by practicing a “green” lifestyle, the website offers ideas on waste prevention, natural gardening, toxics reduction, electronics recycling, and greening your home.

South King Tool Library Repair Cafe

For more information, visit the South King Tool Library Repair Café.

Saturday, September 22, 2018, 9:00am-3:00pm at 36892 Milton Rd S, Federal Way, WA 98003, USA
Saturday, October 20, 2018, 10:00am-1:00pm at Masonic Lodge, 1700 S 340th St, Federal Way, WA 98003

Vashon Fix-It repair events

For more information, visit: http://vashonfixit.com/

Sat. Oct. 20, 2018, 10am-2pm at the Eagles

Tacoma Tool Library Fix-It Fairs.

For more information, visit: https://rebecca-solverson.squarespace.com/

Sat. Sept. 15, 2018, 1-4pm, Salishan Family Investment Center, 1724 E. 44th St, Tacoma, WA 98404
Sat. Oct. 27, 2018, 1-4pm, Centro Latino, 1208 S. 10th St, Tacoma, WA 98405
Sat. Nov. 17, 2018, 1-4pm, Bay Terrace, 2550 S G St, Tacoma, WA 98405