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/
- WSU Snohomish County Repair Café, Everett – Sat. March. 23, 2019, 10am-2pm
- WSU Snohomish County Repair Café, Everett – Sat. April 20, 2019, 10am-2pm
- WSU Snohomish County Repair Café, Everett – Sat. Sept. 21, 2019, 10am-2pm
- WSU Snohomish County Repair Café, Everett – Sat. Oct. 19, 2019, 10am-2pm
- WSU Snohomish County Repair Café, Everett – Sat. Nov. 16, 2019, 10am-2pm
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.
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.
- Sat. March 9, 2019, 9:30am-12:30pm, Steve Cox Memorial Park gym, White Center
- Sat. March 23, 2019, 12:30-3:30pm, Bothell Library
- Tues. April 2, 2019, 3-6pm, SeaTac Community Center
- Tues. April 9, 2019, 3-6pm, Kent Library
- Sat. April 27, 2019, 12:30-3:30pm, Kirkland Library
- Thurs. May 9, 2019, 3-6pm, Fairwood Library, Renton area
- Mon. May 20, 2019, 3-6pm, Pacific Community Center
- Wed. May 29, 2019, 3-6pm, Bellevue Library
- Wed. June 19, 2019, 3-6pm, Sammamish Library
- Tues. July 2, 2019, 3-6pm, Auburn Library
- Sat. July 20, 2019, 12:30-3:30 pm, Sno-Valley Senior Center, Carnation
- Wed. July 31, 2019, 3-6pm, Shoreline Library
- Wed. Sept. 4, 2019, 3-6pm, Burien Library
- Tues. Sept. 10, 2019, 3-6pm, North Bend Library
- Sat. Oct. 5, 2019, 9:30am-12:30pm, Steve Cox Memorial Park gym, White Center
South King Tool Library Repair Cafe
For more information, visit the South King Tool Library Repair Café.
- South King Tool Library Repair Café – Sat. March 16, 2019, 10am-1pm, Federal Way
- South King Tool Library Repair Café – Sat. June 8, 2019, 10am-1pm, Federal Way
Vashon Fix-It repair events
For more information, visit: http://vashonfixit.com/
- Vashon Fix-It Café – Sat. March 30, 2019, 10am-2pm, Vashon
Tacoma Tool Library Fix-It Fairs
For more information, visit: http://www.tacomatoollibrary.com/fixit-fairs-english
- JANUARY 19th 2019 • 1-4PM, Second Use, 2328 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
- FEBRUARY 23RD 2019 • 1-4PM, Tacoma Public Library – Moore Branch, 215 S 56th Ave. Tacoma, WA 98408
