To wonder how you get rid of your clutter?

[PastelPompoms]

We are in the process of decluttering the house. There is lots I want to go from clothes to toys, towels etc.

I am finding it hard to let go of some things that are new e.g. clothes with labels still in etc. I have tried selling but not much had much luck and I’d rather the things just went than hung around waiting for someone to collect who never shows. I am planning to donate to charity and then take the rest to the tip that’s not worth the charity shop.

How do you get over the thought of losing money by giving so much away? My DP wouldn’t be pleased to know I was giving it away rather than selling due to the money that was originally spent and I think that’s making me hang onto more than I want to.

I can’t think of a better way to try and sell it than eBay or Facebook though.

Lots of charity shops round my way don't take books, @Aridane, and having read more than my usual 2 books a week because we're not going out much (and there's bugger all worth watching on tv) my house is overrun with them.

I can't bring myself to just throw books away, it feels like just a step from burning them.

Re: books

See if there are any Free Little Libraries nearby - that’s a lovely scheme. Where I live we have loads.

Also, many public libraries accept books in good condition.

I send books to music magpie or we buy books using their apps, super easy to do just scan the books and drop off at post office and u get money. Any they don’t want I give to charity

If you have unworn clothes that fit maybe it’s a good opportunity to wear them during these lockdowns in the house as there won’t be any visitors to see them, especially now winter is coming on, I’m wearing all my unloved clothes as I am spending more time indoors

@Classicbrunette

I vote for Freecycle. I’ve got some really good quality furniture, garden equipment, household items from there, and then got rid of some of my valued items on Freecycle too. People on there are generally nice. One guy was giving away his late mother’s dressing table, he offered it to me. He wanted to know that it was going to a good home.

Sadly I have wasted too many hours of my life waiting for no shows in free cycle. Love the idea, don’t have time for the practice. It’s a real shame

Limited space in a flat forces you to consider getting rid of things quite often.

You need to treat your space, time and money with equal value. 'Keep mess, keep stress.'

There is a company who collects sheets, bedding, bric a brac, to send abroad.
I clear as I go but I recommend bagging them with labels.
There's plenty of womens charities who'd happily take good DC clothes.
I live in a very mixed area some do well some are very poor there is always a DC off the estate who will wear the hand down clothes.

Thank you for the links. I have ordered a bag from I second that. Is there anywhere similar that does it for children’s clothes? I have loads all new with tags that DD has never worn.

In regard to books we were overwhelmed with books last year and donated three massive boxes to Oxfam. A few months later received an email from Oxfam saying our donations had raised over £150! I was so pleased. We could never afford to donate that in cash in one go and felt so good Oxfam had that money, our old books were loved again somewhere and we had space back!

PastelPompoms

I had a google and found "sweetpeaprelovedclothes" pays by the kg for supermarket clothes and on commission for branded stuff.

I'm going to order a bag from "I second that" too.

Are there local charities by you that will take house hold kit including towels for vulnerable people ? By me there is a charity for single parents etc starting out with nothing and people fleeing domestic violence these people can’t afford charity shop stuff and I felt much better giving it to a new home . Check face book for details or ask a question about it on Facebook to find your local charities

If you need to clear out books, my neighbourhood had a collection for the library of the local prison - fiction and non-fiction. Literacy is so important for prisoners and a big factor in success after release. A whole carload was collected and we all got the warm fuzzies in return.

I am finding it hard to let go of some things that are new e.g. clothes with labels still in etc

How come you have so many unworn new clothes?

Find a worthy cause for me it was a lady who had escaped a domestic violence situation , gave her a few bits of furniture , hoover , bedding etc - yes I could have sold it but the feeling of helping her out surpassed getting a few quid

@userxx

Where can I find this I second that?? Got bags of good clothes waiting for charity!

Would be interested in this too.

Not heard of Google?

Butting in here, but actually @Cheetas I’ve just checked google and can’t find it. Anyone could kindly post a link?

You’re not Googling properly @Angelina82.

Put “I second that” in inverted commas and add a phrase such as “clothes”.

Google flylady!

Our local charity shops aren’t taking donations atm, think it’s covid related. I’m in a tier 2 area so maybe differs for tier 1 areas but just be aware that may be the case.

I try to sell things if I know they’re worth it but otherwise I give them away or tip them if nowhere will take them. I try to recycle things like clothing rather than bin them.

I like the secret slob on YouTube. She uses the fly lady methods she breaks it down into easier tasks.

Put “I second that” in inverted commas and add a phrase such as “clothes”.

That did it. Thanks 😊

Btw some charities accept clothes that are too old to be worn. They sell them by weight for insulation or something.

Just a random tangent that may have been mentioned... I have REALLY sat myself down and changed my habits in the last two years, partly influenced by some of the great style threads here.

I got a Monzo pot and started putting money aside each month for clothes, then banned myself from buying anything from supermarkets, primark ASOS topshop even Zara (I used to buy quite a lot but almost without noticing it!). I now buy very occasional stuff, but MUCH more expensive (for me - I was very poor from 18-30s, and even in 30s was living in London and having kids so life was £££).

Gradually my wardrobe is transforming one bit at a time to smaller (I mean DH would laugh hollowly if he saw that, but it IS happening) but so much nicer - BUT and this is the killer - all the nice things are so much easier to sell. It is about a million times easier to sell a sezane blouse than several primark or supermarket skirts. My aim is ultimately to get high end enough that I can sell on depop and vestiaire (if anyone has guidance on this I’d love to know).

To add to what Noitjustwontdo posted, ask them if they are taking donations, or just take a few items. Don't just turn up with sacks of stuff as they might not have the space to quarantine it.

If you go out of your immediate area, check with charity shops in that area if they are taking donations. I took stuff to a nearby town when my local shops were closed.

Children's clothes and toys sell well in car boot sales, if you look on sites like freegle, people often ask for them, often for a charity.