Repair Fairs at the Denver Tool Library

REDUCE WASTE. SAVE MONEY. LEARN VALUABLE REPAIR SKILLS.

Our Next Scheduled Repair Fair is August 17th, 2025. Click here to register!

Repair Fairs (aka fix-it fairs, repair cafes, etc) are free events where community members can bring broken everyday items, such as toasters, bicycles, pants, and more, for free repairs by local volunteer fixers. These fairs offer a chance to learn valuable repair skills, reduce waste, and connect with your neighbors. No repair experience is required as our volunteers will guide you through fixing the items you bring in (limit two items per person please!).

  • Curious if one of your items can be repaired at DTL? Check out our FAQ below.

  • Passionate about reducing waste and have some skills to contribute as a fixer for our next repair fair? Learn more about how to become a DTL volunteer.

  • Can’t attend our next Repair Fair? Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter and follow us on Instagram to know when we announce the next one.

Repair Fair Info & FAQs

  • Rather than buying new or adding to the landfill, our repair fair will allow you to revel in the fun of taking stuff apart and putting it back together again alongside some good company. In other words: reduce waste, save money, connect with the community, and learn a new skill!

  • Please note: We ask that you dust and wipe down items so that they are clean before bringing them in for repair, including washing clothing.

    Currently, we have experts to help across five categories of items:

    1. Clothing: Mending tears, replacing buttons and zippers, hemming, and patching holes in pants, shirts, and jackets.

    2. Jewelry: Necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, and chains that need clasped, resized, restrung, refinished, or tightened settings.

    3. Small appliances: Countertop household items, such as toasters, blenders, coffee makers, mixers, food processors.

    4. Furniture: Broken or damaged wood furniture (including lamps) that can be transported to and from the DTL wood shop. Depending on the clothing station’s availability, we may also be able to make minor repairs to upholstery, such as stitching or patching.

    5. Bicycles: Adjusting brakes and gears, chain lubrication, chain repair, patching tubes and inflating tires, and cleaning any bicycle. (Does not include repairs to electrical components of e-bikes.)

  • While we hope to expand our repair fair in the future, we do not offer repairs on:

    • Computers or other small electronics.

    • Outdoor gear.

    • Any items that are leaking, dangerous, dirty or have a strong odor. 

    • Gas-powered items or vehicles.

    • Hazardous items or weapons.

  • Nope — we’ve got that covered! Our expert volunteers have working backgrounds in their repair category and will be able to provide hands-on instruction. That being said, guests are expected to stay with their items and be active participants so they can learn about the repair process.

    Keep in mind that a repair is not guaranteed. Our fixers choose items based on their skill set and comfort level, but may refuse to begin or continue with any repair as needed. In the event of an unsolved item mystery, they will help to diagnose problems and point you in the right direction for future fixin’.

  • In addition to our on-site inventory of over 7,000 tools, we will have basic supplies available to assist in the repair process, such as wood dowels and glue, jewelry string and clasps, bicycle tube patch kits, buttons and zippers, and more.

    Please note: If you know what part is needed for the repair, please order it and bring it with you to the event. Similarly, if your item came with a manual or guide, please bring that along too!

  • Limit of 2 items per person.