Do you want to help the environment while also repairing household items, rather than replacing them? We have gone through so many dryers these past couple of years, and one thing that drives me crazy is having to replace such large items. Of course sometimes it needs to happen, but I like to extend the life of absolutely everything, for the sake of the environment. We don’t want to be wasteful and discard something that can be repaired.
But on a basic and practical level, we don’t want to repair something only to have it break over and over! Like our dryer(s) – ugh. So we will always try to fix things first, then consider other options only when repairing it is no longer practical. This is the sort of thing that weighs on my mind, so of course I figured I should write a post about it! So here you go – some ideas and items that you may be stuck on trying to decide whether to repair or replace.
What To Do About Your Car?
It’s nearly always less expensive to keep your old car than to buy a new one. Naturally, if your car is totaled in an accident or otherwise damaged beyond repair, you will need to replace it. Not much anyone can do about that! But you can replace it with another used car if you want to keep waste to a minimum. This is what we have always done. Plus, I don’t want to get a car with many electronics, those are pricey fixes!
Why Can’t All Computers Just Last Forever…
My head spins when I think about all of the laptops and tablets that are lying there in the landfill. Marketers of electronics try to get us believing that we need the latest and greatest model of everything!
However, if your computer is getting the job done, you probably just need to do regular updates. If it crashes beyond repair or no longer meets your requirements, then it’s time to get a new one. Think about donating your used computer. There are companies that refurbish laptops too.
Do You Really Need a New Mattress?
Believe it or not, you can help the environment by ‘repairing’ another infamous household item … your mattress! Although the common recommendation for mattress replacement is seven years, there are few people willing to do that (or that can afford to).
Most of us don’t even think about replacing our mattress frequently. If your mattress is wearing out and becoming uncomfortable to sleep on, give it a good cleaning and try various mattress pads to boost its support. You can cover it with an anti-allergen cover if it is aggravating your allergies. A good bed mattress can last much longer than seven years!
Give Your Jewelry a Refresh
Do you have a favorite watch that was a Christmas or birthday gift from a beloved? If its time runs out (ha! see what I did there?) – and your watch won’t run or the wristband is broken, fixing it will still be cheaper than a new watch. Have the battery replaced, get a new band.
You can usually do both for under $20. As for your jewelry, broken clips and clasps can be repaired with glue. And if you are crafty, you can always take pieces such as pendants, and create new pieces by stringing beads into a fresh necklace or bracelet for something fresh and unique.
Household Appliances – Like Our Dryer(s) … Ugh.
Is your refrigerator or oven on the blink? Has your dryer stopped running properly? Dishwasher won’t get dishes clean? For most situations dealing with larger appliances, it would serve well to call in a repairman. In all likelihood, one visit will fix the problem, and the cost of that one visit is almost certain to be less than a new appliance.
Always be sure to ask for estimates first! If you have a good used items store in your area, it can’t hurt to trade in for something newer used if the cost of repairs will be more expensive. Remember, there are people that frequent thrift stores for the sole purpose of finding handed in items and re-purposing them! So if you have to hand yours in, keep this in mind too.
Sort Out Those Miscellaneous Electronics
You can help the environment by repairing your household electronic items. If your remote control or computer mouse won’t work, your digital cable box is not cooperating, or your printer is having a fit, look for simple solutions to start with. It may sound obvious, but of course if there are batteries change those first. Try new adapters or power cords and check their connections. Check your printer’s ink cartridge(s).
Many times these problems have simple solutions that do not require a lot of time or expense – they just require a little thought. One time I called our phone company as both of our landlines had stopped working. I figured it must be something on their end since both phones were affected. As it turned out, the kids had jostled one phone and slightly disconnected the cord, which did in fact affect both phones.
And after having said all of this, if what you really want to do is use less electronics altogether, see my post; How to Create Simplicity and a Nurturing Home Environment.
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