We've all been there: the warranty has just expired and the iron is already on strike. But you don't have to throw the faulty appliance away straight away.

In repair cafés, lay volunteers and hobby craftsmen and women are on hand to help repair broken items on a "help-yourself" basis. Be it kitchen appliances, radios, clothes, bicycles, furniture, computers or cell phones - they try to repair anything that fits under their arm. You only have to pay for any material costs incurred.

Repairing makes sense, because if you use an appliance for longer, you save money and valuable resources that are needed for a new appliance.

If you have to wait for the next available helper at a Repair Café, you can exchange experiences and tips over a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. This concept has been successfully implemented in Wiesbaden since 2013. Repair Cafés with committed and helpful people are available to consumers seeking help in different parts of the city and on different Saturdays of the month. Links to the Repair Cafés' websites can be found at the bottom of the page.