Introducing: Repair Month

Dedicated to taking care of the stuff we already own instead of buying more of it.

Hello! Happy New Year!

I’ve decided that January is going to be REPAIR MONTH on Shop Rat, meaning I’d like to focus on taking care of the stuff we already own instead of buying more of it.

Each week, I’ll run around and go on repair-focused adventures, interviewing experts and sharing my own personal recommendations along the way. But I also need your help.

Here’s where you come in: I want to know what tailors and cobblers you go to, who you see to get your sweaters and jewelry repaired, and where you brought that precious gown you spilled red wine on. I want to know how you wash your delicates and if you’re still using the Laundress. All of it! This extends beyond New York. Shop Rat has readers in every single state, minus North Dakota (what gives??), including three in Alaska, and across 106 countries, which is insane. Together, we can repair ANYTHING!

I’ve started a thread on Substack here. It’s already proven to be very helpful. Someone in Italy even recommended pouring hot milk on velvet and silk garments damaged by mold.Who knew??

At the end of the month, I’ll put together a Google Doc with everyone’s recommendations. Feel free to leave a comment and/or send me an email as well with ideas. I’m really excited about this! Please share with your friends. *Especially if they live in North Dakota.