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Original poster

decluttering - how do you throw stuff away?

45 replies

MaryIsA · 24/02/2021 09:54

We aren't bad, house is fairly tidy, not too much stuff.

But we have CDs that neither of us can bear to throw away - we don't have a CD player, DVDs that we aren't going to watch again, books - I find books so hard to get rid of.

I don't want to throw them, there's a limit to how many you can give away, charity shops don't want them - they are full.

What are your tricks and tips?

OP posts:

Firstbellini · 24/02/2021 09:56

If things have a lot of memories take a photo of them. Then you can get rid of them but keep the photo.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 24/02/2021 09:59

I have difficulty throwing away nostalgic stuff, exactly as you describe. I put them in a box in the loft and find a year or two later it's easier to get rid of

TeaMilkNonePlease · 24/02/2021 10:16

We have kept DVDs, CDs, vinyl records, but not audio cassettes or VHS. None on display in the house, all rage boxes in the attic. I have to weed clothes out constantly because my wardrobe won't close! We have too many mugs for the kitchen cupboard so occasionally a few of the least sentimental leave the house.

Finding somewhere to donate to is harder at the moment.

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 24/02/2021 10:19

We keep books. It just seems a bit wrong to throw them away to me.

Other than that im afraid im a bit brutal with stuff, but then I really cant stand clutter.

BakewellGin1 · 24/02/2021 10:25

Books before Covid went to charity shops, refuges, car boot sale

We don't have many dvds now so that's easy

I LOVE a declutter (when left alone to do so) clothing has an 18 month limit so if it doesn't fit or get worn its gone

I often develop a collection of cleaning products or toiletries so am now mindful to use in order I buy rather then trying them at random

I am brutal with it though so now I only do it twice a year... Around Feb/March and then Sept/Oct

Firstbellini · 24/02/2021 10:27

I can’t see there is any point in keeping cds at all.

UltimateBlends · 24/02/2021 10:34

Put then out the front of the house with a big sign
"FREE TO TAKE"

I guarantee you, your items will soon go.
Apps like Olio or shpock where you can list for free and have people collect, again - I leave items outside in a safe place.

Covid safe, no contact.

I also like to write in the front cover of my reading book, "read by Ultimate on insert date in location pass on..."

Hoping that the next reader will write thier details and pass on.

Books are so wonderful, to see the previous owners who have enjoyed the same book and the history of the book would just be amazing.

No idea if anyone has ever bothered continuing with my idea!

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 24/02/2021 10:38

Ultimate thats such a lovely idea!

Pinkflipflop85 · 24/02/2021 10:40

I took some of my old cds to school. The nursery and reception use them to make sun catchers and decorate the outdoor area.

BarbaraofSeville · 24/02/2021 10:52

@UltimateBlends

Put then out the front of the house with a big sign "FREE TO TAKE"

I guarantee you, your items will soon go.
Apps like Olio or shpock where you can list for free and have people collect, again - I leave items outside in a safe place.

Covid safe, no contact.

I also like to write in the front cover of my reading book, "read by Ultimate on insert date in location pass on..."

Hoping that the next reader will write thier details and pass on.

Books are so wonderful, to see the previous owners who have enjoyed the same book and the history of the book would just be amazing.

No idea if anyone has ever bothered continuing with my idea!

A house on the main road through my village has an enormous bookcase filled mainly with DVDs, but also books and CDs on its front wall, that is passed daily by hundreds of people out and about. It's been there since early on in lockdown 1.

As far as I can tell, almost nothing has been taken. The three Little Libraries don't seem to get much trade either. I don't think there's much demand for physical media any more and far more people are trying to get rid of it than acquiring more.

Lockdownbear · 24/02/2021 10:58

Clothes go to charity shops, separated for rags
Toys good condition go to charity or sell. Poor condition bin, cut the middle man out bin them.

CDs / DVDs I'd charity, but obsolete games I'd bin but it should be easier to have them recycled.

backinthebox · 24/02/2021 11:06

I joined a local Facebook 'no waste' group at the start of the year, and it has been a great source of information for how to dispose of things like this. It is hard atm though to recycle things, due to the number of recycling places and charity shops closed to the public limited in availability.

BlackCatShadow · 24/02/2021 11:10

I was also going to suggest groups on Facebook. People tend to snap up anything that is listed for free.

I don’t feel guilty about throwing things away though. Marie Kondo talks a lot about the guilt of holding onto things you no longer need.

poppyzbrite4 · 24/02/2021 11:19

Can you start a small local library? Freecycle? Outside your front door?

You can use icollectclothes to off load to charity. They'll come and collect it all. I know how difficult it is OP, I got rid off about 200 DVDs that I simply don't watch. I couldn't sell them on Ebay and getting 20p each on music magpie or whatever it was, wasn't worth the hassle so I gave them to charity. I also got rid off a load of books and all my CDs as they were just collecting dust.

I've had a major declutter over the past year and have just finished. The last was most of my bed linen, which I have just donated. You have to just bite the bullet and give them away. You won't even notice once they're gone.

UltimateBlends · 24/02/2021 11:21

Oh, possibly outing- but i put my book on my front wall with note "please take"

Sometimes It takes a few tries, but they always go.

Thatwentbadly · 24/02/2021 11:23

You need a reason to get rid of them. Why do you want to declutter? It’s a bit of a cliche because it works, try the Marie Kondo books.

choosername1234 · 24/02/2021 11:23

@RockingMyFiftiesNot

I have difficulty throwing away nostalgic stuff, exactly as you describe. I put them in a box in the loft and find a year or two later it's easier to get rid of

This is what I do too. I get rid of things in steps. First up into the loft and then if I don't miss seeing it regularly or (usually) don't even think about it, it can go much more easily

Susie477 · 24/02/2021 11:33

I’m not a hoarder in any other way, but I always believed that you shouldn’t throw away books. The problem with this philosophy is that after 20+ years in the same house steadily accumulating books, they were taking over the building. During the first lockdown we decided the situation had got out of hand, so we decided to have a long-overdue proper clear out.

At least 70% went. We managed to give away or donate some, but the majority went in the recycling bin. It was really difficult at first, but it soon got easier, and by the end we were competing to see who could bin the most. We now have so much more space, we should have done it years ago.

user1471519931 · 24/02/2021 11:35

Sell them to 'we love books' then treat yourself with the proceeds

poppyzbrite4 · 24/02/2021 11:39

We managed to give away or donate some, but the majority went in the recycling bin. It was really difficult at first, but it soon got easier, and by the end we were competing to see who could bin the most.

Binning books.

Susie477 · 24/02/2021 11:45

@poppyzbrite4

Binning books.

I know.....

Believe me, if I could have found charity shops who were prepared to take them, my conscience would have been clearer. But they had to go, one way or another.

AllTheCakes · 24/02/2021 11:49

Ive used Music Magpie to get rid of old dvds, boos and games. You get a pittance for most things, but it’s free postage so it doesn’t cost anything to send and you make a little bit of money back. They sell the goods on so no waste and you’re in profit.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 24/02/2021 12:01

I've never know charity shops to be fussy, surely you just bag it all up and drop down there if one declined my stuff there's about 50 others in our little town!!

I've joined a Life's a Gift fb page which has been great for donating stuff over lockdown.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 24/02/2021 12:05

We have a charity book shop locally.. they take any books.
Proceeds go to a variety of local charities.

abc31 · 24/02/2021 12:23

Another vote for putting on your local Freecycle groups (ours are on Facebook). Brilliant way of finding a home for things when charity shops are shut. People also post things they're looking for.

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