When the items we use break, wear out or get damaged, oftentimes our first instinct is to throw them out. But choosing to repair instead is a fantastic way to keep stuff out of the landfill by extending its lifespan, and can save your household money by eliminating the need to buy a replacement. Repairing also helps build a new skill, work with your hands and find a creative outlet! Most household items, from kitchen appliances to clothes to electronics, can be repaired with a little elbow grease. 

There are many opportunities in SLO County to get repairing! 

Learn how to repair online

There are often tutorials online for repairing things yourself, at home. The San Luis Obispo-based iFixit is a great starting point: they have a global community of experts and online repair guides for laptops, appliances, power tools and more!

Rent repair tools from the library

Lots of local resources can help provide you with the equipment needed to make repair a little less daunting. Check out the San Luis Obispo County Library's Library of Things-- many library branches offer things like crochet hooks, darning looms or garden tools that can help you get started on that next repair project. The Paso Robles Library also has a Library of Things, with items such as repair kits available to borrow. For residents near Shandon, try visiting Shandon Library's recently opened Tool Lending Library, where residents can rent tools to use on home projects.

Visit a Maker Space

The recently opened Habitat for Humanity ReMaker Space offers the tools and space to repair furniture and other projects. The SLO MakerSpace is another fantastic community resource, that has dedicated spaces for woodworking, metalworking and more.

Get help at a Repair Cafe

Stay tuned for the next 5 Cities Repair Café on February 21st at the Grange Hall in Grover Beach. These community events bring together talented volunteers who can help fix your bikes, clothing, small appliances and more.

 

Our county is filled with makers, artists and repairers. So next time you go to throw something away, ask-- is there some way I could fix this instead?