What do we do when our things break or develop a fault? We fix them of course!

From cars and bikes to appliances and iPhones, nothing is unfixable! So say no to new and find out how to fix your broken things yourself. As well as saving money, time and effort, you’ll also be doing your bit for the environment too.

Of course, we weren’t going to leave you to work it out on your own! We’ve put together a complete guide to fixing appliances, phones, cars, clothing and more with all the resources you need.

Now you have absolutely no excuse not to give a fix a go!

Household Appliances

If you know anything about eSpares, you’ll know we’re all about fixing, and appliances are our forte! Fridges, dishwashers, tumble dryers, ovens – you name it, we help you fix it. On our Advice Centre, we have over 600 YouTube tutorials that provide step-by-step advice from the experts on diagnosing, fixing and maintaining all your household appliances. We also have all the spares and accessories you need to complete your fix on our website. Check it out and join our online social community to meet other like-minded fixers like you!

Bike

If you’re an avid bike rider but are struggling with punctures, loose chains or rusty brakes, don’t buy new, fix your beloved bike and have many more memorable rides together! Here are some organisations that might be able to help you.

There are plenty of bike DIY Fix-It Stations around the country with passionate bike riders willing to share their skills. Places such as Bikeworks, The Bristol Bike Project and the London Bike Kitchen, hold regular sessions or you can drop in for some advice!

You can even take an online bike maintenance course at the Open University which will teach you everything you need to know about bike fixing and maintenance.

If your child is a bike lover, why not teach them early! diy.org is an online community for kids to learn new skills! It has a great section with easy-to-follow videos explaining the basics of bike fixing.

Car

There’s nothing more annoying than a hefty bill for a car repair! Although some fixes do require a professional, there are plenty you can learn to do yourself.

Cars.com provides some expert advice and guidance on everything from changing oil to replacing headlight lamps. They have step-by-step videos that break down repairs and help you save heaps of money. Simply select your make and model and choose from a selection of faults and repairs.

doityourself.com also has some great videos showing you how to complete common repairs yourself. It even has some helpful tips on things such as how to avoid getting scammed at garages and installing your new car radio.

Reed, the recruitment agency also provides an online DIY Car Maintenance course allowing you to learn all the basics of car repair and gain a heap of new skills.

Clothing

Discovered your favourite top has a hole in it just before you’re about to wear it or your beloved jeans have started to wear? Don’t throw them away, fix them instead!

Love Your Clothes is a great website with tips on all things clothing! It has some great videos with advice on how to care for your clothes, fix broken zips, mend hems, repair ripped pockets and a whole lot more.

If some items really have past their best or they no longer fit, give them to your local charity shop or pop them in a clothing recycling bin. Find your local one here.

Devices

iFixit is an extremely handy website that gives you a step by step guide to fixing your phone, tablet, Mac, games console, camera, and even your car! Simply select your model, choose from the options of faults and give your fix a go! Fixes are rated from easy, moderate and hard and you can even purchase kits that will provide all you need to complete the repair.

The Restart Project holds virtual repair parties up and down the country to help people learn to fix their devices or appliances. Simply have your broken items to hand and they will help you fix it or provide advice and guidance on how to do this.

If you’ve given it your best shot and your items truly are unfixable, be sure to dispose of them responsibly. Appliances and electricals that are sent to landfill can have a huge impact on the environment. Here are some ways we can make use of broken electricals that can prevent them from going to landfill.

There are also plenty of alternatives to buying new items too! Consider buying items second hand from charity shops or online sellers. This will not only help to protect the environment but help out your community too! And, to make sure you’re getting a good deal, we’ve put together a guide to purchasing second-hand items.

Happy fixing!

Tags: Fix it Yourself, Life Skills, Repair Skills