IF IT’S BROKE, FIX IT, DON’T DITCH IT!
From simple phone repairs to sorting a dripping tap, here’s how to save cash by repairing the damage, not buying new
SWOT UP ON YOUR PHONE Dropped your phone down the loo? Don’t panic! “Dry it with kitchen paper, turn it off and put it in a warm, dry place for a few hours,” says James Brown, director of gadget insurance provider Protect Your Bubble. Frozen phone? “Close the problem app and, if that fails, restart. Charging it can help, too.” You can prolong your handset’s life, too. Christine Torlay, mobiles expert at uswitch, suggests decluttering by “uninstalling unused apps, and moving videos to the Cloud.”
LEARN SOME SIMPLE PLUMBING SKILLS
Plumbers are pricey, so do it yourself. “If your water starts to drain slowly, try a plunger,” says Alison Winfield-chislett from Thegoodlifecentre.co.uk. “Water in a basin or bath can be cleared with a long bendy wire from the DIY shop – push it down the drain hole and gently wiggle it.” And you can tackle dripping taps in a flash. “Turn off the water and take the tap apart with a screwdriver and an adjustable spanner. Taps drip because one or both of the washers has perished. You can buy a pack of washers at DIY shops or take the ‘spindle’ part to a plumbers merchant for a replacement.” Look for tutorials on Youtube for tips, but don’t attempt anything if you’re unsure.
MEND WOBBLY WARDROBE DOORS
“A hinge or handle with a loose screw that won’t tighten despite many turns of the screwdriver is a common annoyance,” says Alison. “This happens a lot to wardrobe doors supporting a heavy mirror. Take out the screw and push a used match into the hole – if you can glue it in, all the better. Break off the excess, then retighten the screw into the hole. It will now grip the hinge tight. It will also stop door handles rattling.” No trip to IKEA necessary!
DO EASY CAR REPAIRS
“Learning simple maintenance tasks will save on expensive trips to the garage,” says Olli Astley, director of motoring services at AA Garage Guide. “Watch a Youtube video, or ask a friend how to check and top up engine oil, and check the coolant. Keep up to date with services to ensure no underlying problems are missed that then develop into more costly repair work, and never ignore a warning light, or an unfamiliar smell or sound coming from the car. If you’re unsure what the problem is, take it to an expert.”
PATCH UP CLOTHES
Got a hole in your favourite jeans or that cashmere jumper? Hobbycraft sells repair patches. “Small holes can be fixed by using a matching colour sewing thread and drawing up the loose thread very gently from the inside, which makes it much less visible,” Alison says. “For a large hole, you can fashionably upcycle it by weaving a pattern with contrasting wool.”