Your repair kit: what’s in it?
Don't forget to enter the drawing for the new Frugal Forum: be among the first 50 members to post 25 times or more, and you'll be entered in a drawing for $100 cash! Post about the drawing on your blog to be entered in a separate drawing for $25 cash. Details are here.
I emptied my mending basket last week and did enough repairs to recoup the cost of a modest sewing machine. This is a bit extreme, but it made me think:
What tools are inexpensive, relatively easy to use, and save you money by allowing you to make repairs rather than calling a pro or tossing broken items in the trash?
I suspect anyone's kit would include some basics:
- Duct tape may be a temporary fix, but it solves a lot of problems. You know the saying: If it moves and it shouldn't, try duct tape.
- WD-40 solves a lot of problems, too. The other half of that saying above: If it doesn't move and it should, use WD-40.
- Electrical tape can be used for many simple electrical repairs. If it a minor appliance goes dead, don't be afraid to take it apart and have a look. Unplug it first, of course. You might find an obvious problem like a loose or broken wire. It's usually a good idea to use wire nuts too, but these are cheap and easy to use. Find instructions or someone who can walk you through it the first time and do it!
- Super glue. It's not just for painful practical jokes.
- Teflon tape can often stop a pipe joint from leaking.
- Needle and thread. Yes, it can be a pain, but the 2 minutes it takes to sew a button on your shirt is worth the money you'll pay to replace the shirt. If you still think it's too much trouble or you simply can't thread a needle, get a $2 kit that holds 10 or 12 pre-threaded needles in a small plastic case.
But where do you go from there?
- I've used a $10 soldering iron to repair VCRs, a cellphone charger and a booklight. Sometimes electrical tape and wire nuts are just too big or not right for the job. It's not hard to learn to use a soldering iron.
- A $5 lint shaver can make a pilly shirt, sweater, or bedspread look like new.
- A $10 drain king has saved us more than one visit from a professional plumber.
- A staple gun lets you easily reupholster furniture, re-fasten loose upholstery, and much more. They start at less than $20.
- Believe it or not, sewing machines start at well under $100. Even if you don't know how to follow a pattern, consider learning to make basic repairs. You don't need a fancy machine. A straight stitch and a zigzag are all you need for most repairs.
We own all of the above, but that doesn't mean you should go right out and buy one of each today. That wouldn't be very frugal, would it?
Wait until you can get a great deal and/or you actually have a need for it. See if you can borrow or trade for one. Ask around and you might find that someone has what you need and no longer wants it. The point is this: if something breaks, think about fixing it instead of automatically replacing it.
Take a look around: What's broken in your house? How could you fix it?
related posts:
- Do It Yourself repairs: you can do it! We're a consumer nation. When something breaks, our first instinct...
- Our Frugal Car Repair I'll tell you up front that this is not really...
- Forum update The new forum seems to be a big hit! I...
- Don’t pay: fix it yourself Paying a pro is not frugal if you have the...
- Recipes for homemade cleaners: What’s your favorite? I finally made some homemade laundry soap, and I've even...
11 Responses to “Your repair kit: what’s in it?”
January 27th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Staple guns also hang drapes when in a pinch.
I have taped and stapled a hem into place for a quick fix.
Contact paper covers a multitude of sins.
Spray paint–quick cover up and pretty too!
Hair spray for a sealant and to keep away static cling.
Baby Powder for a quick dry “wash” for hair. (especially good for shut ins who are ill for a quick fix)
January 27th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Don’t buy a new sewing machine – any sewing machine you can buy new for under $100 isn’t good quality. Look at garage sales or thrift stores for a 1950-1970 vintage Singer. Those machines were built to last several lifetimes. My favorite vintage machine is a Singer Touch and Sew. You should be able to find one for less than $50.
January 27th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
MK,
True, but anyone who doesn’t know how to sew and just wants to be able to make simple repairs also shouldn’t start by paying $400 for a good machine. A thrift-store find could be a lemon, and much harder to return than the WalMart $49 special.
There are pros and cons no matter how you go at it.
January 27th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
A little humor regarding duct tape: “If you can’t fix it with duct tape, then you haven’t used enough.” This is my 18-year old’s quote! So I guess it’s all you need in your repair kit. LOL
January 28th, 2009 at 7:32 am
In my last house, Liquid Nails was a favorite (bonds just about everything!) and there’s not much around the house that isn’t instantly improved with a coat of paint…spray or by brush.
January 28th, 2009 at 8:48 am
I’d add GoO Gone to that list. Just too easy to get sticky stuff off — like the glue left behind when removing stickers.
Is there any suggestions for removing bodily function stains from handmade quilts?
January 28th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Something I use here is called Wonder Tape. It is two sided tape that can be used to hem up pants (on Sunday mornings
), or to help keep that zipper in place while you sew.
Another one is Goop. We have repaired many boots this way.
Cindy
January 28th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
the contents of the kitchen “junk” drawer at my house includes: 1 slot-type screwdriver and 1 phillips head screw driver, bread ties, rubber bands of all sizes (courtesy of rural mailman), an old beer can opener, various nuts, bolts, screws and nails, nail polish, rubber lid remover, a small monkey wrench, plumbers teflon tape, electrical tape, duct tape, elmers glue, refrigerator magnets, a big carpenters pencil, and a small spriral notebook. lol, i thought about disposing this lot somewhere else but thought twice…i use something from this mess just about everyday!
January 29th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
For skin repair, I keep “Steri-strips” on hand to avoid a trip to the doctor for stitches for smaller cuts. They are like band-aids but can be placed directly over the cut. Much cheaper than doctor or ER for an inch long cut!
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:26 pm
We use JB Weld a lot.
and to answer MY Boaz’s Ruth, I would try an all fabric bleach or some liquid enzyme stain remover.
February 4th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Great post! I just Twittered it. Rockin ideas…
I’d add a Tide To Go pen to the mix but that’s just because I don’t own a washing machine…
Leave a Comment