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Original poster

Massive declutter without car

19 replies

CostedStrikeRate · 14/12/2023 16:45

I'd like to declutter clothes, books, a little furniture and some bric-a-brac in the new year.
A fair bit of it could go to charity shops, maybe a bit on Freecycle.
I don't drive.
What's the most efficient way of doing things?
Am thinking 1) Hire van, get friend to drive in exchange for vast meal, champagne, etc. 2) Get British Heart Foundation to come pick up all my old tat. 3) Pay house clearance company to take it away (as if I am deceased)
Anyone done this efficiently without a car?

OP posts:
shams05 · 14/12/2023 16:56

Contact British heart Foundation. They'll collect most items from your home. Furniture like sofas need a fire label and electricals will be inspected by their driver first. Otherwise they'll collect mostly everything that's in good condition

CapturedLeprechaun · 14/12/2023 17:09

Google "Anglo doorstop collections".

It's a charity that will come to your house and take books/clothes/ bric a brac etc.

I did a massive declutter - approx 12 bin bags full. Left it all outside my house on the agreed date/time, they took it all

ShirleyPhallus · 14/12/2023 17:12

Leave it outside your house, we do this with most stuff like this and it’s always gone within an hour

Whataretheodds · 14/12/2023 17:12

Get a charity collection.
For the rest of the stuff advertise on freecycle/Olio/Marketplace/neigbourhoo.d forum, where I live you could leave it outside for the day with a note and people would take stuff (obviously you have to then take the remainder back in and deal with it).
Remainder - taxi or borrow a mate's vehicle to take to the tip or organise a bulky waste collection from the council of necessary.

lljkk · 14/12/2023 17:13

Local give away groups on facebook

Original poster
CostedStrikeRate · 14/12/2023 17:16

I am loving all your ideas. This is starting to seem doable.
Been in this flat five years, and I really want a feeling of fresh start

OP posts:
SootspriteSearcher · 14/12/2023 17:19

Olio or Facebook free sites. If it's too overwhelming to do individually group together and offer as a Carboot/resell bundle.

SootspriteSearcher · 14/12/2023 17:19

And take a bag whenever you pass a charity shop. Or see if you have those clothes bins near you.

ShirleyPhallus · 14/12/2023 17:21

I honestly wouldn’t bother with fb, so many time wasters and scammers even for a free item

Original poster
CostedStrikeRate · 14/12/2023 17:21

Carboot/resale bundle... fascinating!

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Justleaveitblankthen · 14/12/2023 17:24

BHF wouldn't take my very decent large Aquarium ( or the very good quality wooden stand that I originally purchased from them) but a quick Google and I found an independent charity in the next town to me that were only too glad.
I use them all the time now and they couldn't be more efficient or thankful.

Sometimes the big names are too fussy IMO.

Justleaveitblankthen · 14/12/2023 17:25

Should have added that they should always have large vans and Driver's, so will collect from any room you need them to.

Original poster
CostedStrikeRate · 14/12/2023 17:42

Yeah there's a table, chairs, TV and storage box. I think table and chairs have the fire label. Hmmmm, we have an Emmaus nearby...

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Original poster
CostedStrikeRate · 14/12/2023 17:43

Interesting

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PamelaParis · 14/12/2023 17:47

I don't drive and decluttered over the summer before moving house. I just did it little and often but I did have a charity shop about 10 minutes walk away which helped! Also took stuff to the supermarket clothes bin if I was going shopping anyway. I freecycled some furniture and bigger stuff, and my brother helped with a couple of tip runs in his car.
Oh and Google to see if there are any little free libraries near you, some of my books ended up in those!

janfebmarchapril · 14/12/2023 18:12

Are you on Facebook? There's loads of freebie sites near me and it's all collection only so really handy

MandyMotherOfBrian · 14/12/2023 18:38

Combo of all of those. We have a community free shop in the nearest town here and they have volunteers who go round collecting from people who wish to donate but can’t drive. If any of it needs chucking there are companies that will come and take it from your driveway/front garden and if any of it is metal they’ll likely take it for free. Yes to Emmaus, or similar, if it’s good quality and fire labelled. Anything left and ask friend to take to the dump for a free lunch.

hurtinon · 14/12/2023 19:04

We live in a flat and things just go in the communal bins when we have a declutter. Big enough to hold small items of furniture (deconstructed) so easy to get rid of bits at a time. Never had a car.

Original poster
CostedStrikeRate · 14/12/2023 19:23

I was taking a wheely suitcase to the charity shop every Saturday, but lost the habit.
Come to think of it, two new charity shops have opened which are much nearer now.
#PerkOfDeathOfTheHighStreet

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