Free repair of your broken stuff in King and Snohomish County

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, personal and electronics. The overall success rate at these repair events has been 70 percent or higher. Sometimes, they are able to only diagnose the problem; such as when you may need to get a new part before a repair can be completed. Some electronics may be difficult to fix. And some items are simply beyond repair.

Each repair event or group will operate differently, based on the needs of the local community. They might meet only once or twice a year, or every two or three months. 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. Note that for some events, you must register your item in advance.

Upcoming repair events in King County

King County holds free repair groups and events in cities across the county, including Auburn, Bellevue, Burien, Des Moines, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Renton, SeaTac, Shoreline, Skyway, Federal Way, Vashon Island, and White Center. For a list of upcoming repair events, visit the King County Repair Group website.

Tues. April 10, 2018, 3-6pm, Covington Library
Wed. April 18, 2018, 3-6pm, SeaTac Community Center
Thurs. May 10, 2018, 3-6pm, Muckleshoot Library
Wed. May 16, 2018, 3-6pm, Renton Library
Sat. June 23, 2018, 10am-1pm, Redmond Library
Tues. July 10, 2018, 3-6pm, Auburn Library
Sat. Sept. 22, 2018, 10am-1pm, Woodinville 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.

Man repairing furniture at home

Upcoming repair events in Snohomish County

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

April 14, 2018, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Public Works Meeting Room, 3200 Cedar Street, Everett, WA 98201
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.