Day 21 · Shopping

Fix before you replace

When an appliance fails, search for the spare part and a repair café before you shop for a new one.

Since 2021, makers of fridges, washing machines, dishwashers and TVs sold in the UK must keep spare parts available for years after sale. The broken door latch or drain pump you assumed meant a new machine is often a part you can order. Search the model number plus 'spare parts'. Watch a repair video. If it is beyond you, Repair Cafés run by volunteers fix things for free, and independent repairers cost less than you think. Most machines die of one small part.