To ask you how a professional declutterer works?

Merryoldgoat · 2025-07-17T08:33:18+00:00

Help me. I’ve had a really hard term and I’m overwhelmed and not coping with house and work and kids and life. DH pulls his weight completely - it’s just there isn’t enough time. I think the first starting point is a big declutter and I’m thinking of hiring help. But how does this work? Do they go round with you asking questions then do the work? Do they categorise then ask you to sort through? Would appreciate anyone who has used a service to give some guidance.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 17/07/2025 09:33

Following with interest!

EggnogNoggin · 17/07/2025 09:48

Also interested. Have you watched Sort Your Life Out? They aim to get rid of 50%.

You need to find your own blocker and just be ruthless. I found what held me up was umming and ahhing over what would happen to the stuff, so in the end I got DH to sort that so i didn't have the guilt. I just did keep or let go piles.

Anything I was unsure of went in a black binliner and I hid it for 2 weeks. Then if i hadn't gone back for it, the bag went in the go pile (DO NOT CHECK IT AGAIN 🤣🫣)

Some stuff you just need to be practical about. How many duvet covers do you need? Two? Three? Pick your favourites and pass on the rest. If you don't have single beds anymore, get rid of single bedding etc.

WildUmberCrow · 17/07/2025 09:53

I'm a professional declutterer. I think we all use slightly different methods so it's when you contact one you can ask them individually. The way I work is listening to clients needs, ask questions and then suggest working in a way that suits them. Eg, what are their priorities. Which bit of their house bothers them most.
Some clients can only work very slowly, others are ready to chuck loads with put too much issue.
We normally start with a tour of their home so I can get a sense of the main problems and how they feel about it.
I never start with the difficult emotional stuff but always the easier things which will be different for every client. But starting on the easier feels less scary for them, and builds confidence and relief.
I teach as I go too. So that a client has strategies to continue when I am not there.
I think it's a great idea to get someone in. The relief will be enormous and you'll feel great to have reset your home for the summer so you can get on with relaxing.

Original poster

Merryoldgoat · 17/07/2025 22:01

@WildUmberCrow

Thank you.

I’m not a hoarder or emotionally attached - I just don’t have time so hopefully I can find a decent match.

I really need to take stock and get my house in order.

OP posts:

suburburban · 17/07/2025 22:10

Yes I’m determined to do some decluttering

CranfordScones · 17/07/2025 22:15

By all means get in help if you need it. If you read Marie Kondo she takes you through the process (it's a quick read) and talks about the common problems she encounters with clients. The thing she mentions often is to do it all at once - don't do it in stages.

CarpetKnees · 17/07/2025 22:20

Do they do any of the 'getting rid' ?
I've agreed to get rid of various things, but then end up with a pile of "try to sell these" or "need to find a person or a good cause who would be able to use these" etc as my real issue isn't the things leaving my house, but the idea that perfectly useable stuff shouldn't just go in a skip.

What I would pay for (hopefully out of the proceeds!!) is someone who would sell stuff at an auction hose or a car boot even, or on-line on any platform.

Original poster

Merryoldgoat · 17/07/2025 22:21

CranfordScones · 17/07/2025 22:15

By all means get in help if you need it. If you read Marie Kondo she takes you through the process (it's a quick read) and talks about the common problems she encounters with clients. The thing she mentions often is to do it all at once - don't do it in stages.

I just don’t have the headspace for it right now. Work is kicking my arse and DH is in the same position, both kids will be home (both have SEN and are in special school, have some family illness I’m dealing with. It’s all just a bit much.

OP posts:

MartinAynuss · 17/07/2025 22:24

3 boxes. One to throw away, one to donate and one to put away. Move through each room/cupboard/drawer in the same way. Work clockwise from your front door.
Best advice I ever read? Put things away where you would go to look for them, not where you think they should go.

OpheliaNightingale · 17/07/2025 22:26

@MerryoldgoatI used to work as a professional declutterer, it was the best job ever. I worked in a client centred way, each client had different needs and issues.

Toodles89 · 17/07/2025 22:27

CarpetKnees · 17/07/2025 22:20

Do they do any of the 'getting rid' ?
I've agreed to get rid of various things, but then end up with a pile of "try to sell these" or "need to find a person or a good cause who would be able to use these" etc as my real issue isn't the things leaving my house, but the idea that perfectly useable stuff shouldn't just go in a skip.

What I would pay for (hopefully out of the proceeds!!) is someone who would sell stuff at an auction hose or a car boot even, or on-line on any platform.

Unfortunately usually not. They can't take rubbish to a public tip because its part of their trade so would have to pay to dispose of it.

Some will drop off charity bags.

For charity you could arrange a collection for the following day. For trash there is usually a man with a van for a reasonable price.

My rather wealthy friend has a lady come in twice a year to help with her wardrobe. She does take the surplus clothes with her - somehow I am not surprised.

WasherWoman25 · 17/07/2025 22:27

CarpetKnees · 17/07/2025 22:20

Do they do any of the 'getting rid' ?
I've agreed to get rid of various things, but then end up with a pile of "try to sell these" or "need to find a person or a good cause who would be able to use these" etc as my real issue isn't the things leaving my house, but the idea that perfectly useable stuff shouldn't just go in a skip.

What I would pay for (hopefully out of the proceeds!!) is someone who would sell stuff at an auction hose or a car boot even, or on-line on any platform.

This is my issue too. I just end up with piles of ‘sell’, ‘give away’, ‘return to original owner’ which then often gets put in a new corner or different cupboard. Hate the idea of throwing perfectly good stuff away.

I’ve recently found a very local collection point for the clothing bank, a charity that rehomes clothes to all sorts of people in need (they are not destroyed or weighed in for rags) so this has made it so much easier for me to clear out and keep on top of the clothes in the house.

Vivienne1000 · 17/07/2025 22:28

When in the mood, I get a dustbin bag and say to myself that by the end of the day it will be full with clutter. I then sort out the things for taking to the tip, or selling or giving to charity.

saraclara · 17/07/2025 22:33

I need someone to be at my side throughout, encouraging me and actually getting stuck in with me. Not just walking through the house telling me what to do when they've left.

Obviously that would be extremely expensive because it's not a quick process. Certainly a few days.

Toodles89 · 17/07/2025 22:34

It takes longer with the professional. The idea is they help you get over the reasons why you aren't chucking stuff and set you up to continue on your own.

You could try Dana K White method, can do it in 5 minute bursts without making a mess and getting overwhelmed. Ultimately takes longer though.

If you are really confident I'd say just hire a skip and take a day off work or clear a weekend or lose some sleep if it'll ultimately improve your life.

BerfyTigot · 17/07/2025 22:35

I employed an 18 year old to help while i was very unwell. She actually got rid of stuff to the charity shops and tip.

It was brilliant and well worth it.

Original poster

Merryoldgoat · 17/07/2025 22:38

If you are really confident I'd say just hire a skip and take a day off work or clear a weekend or lose some sleep if it'll ultimately improve your life.

This is probably the answer but hard to have the house completely empty for that long. PIL are taking older son away for the week soon so that might be an option if I can get the little one looked after for a few days.

OP posts:

BumblingBanana · 17/07/2025 22:42

I can recommend one!

Where in the UK are you?

A good one will come and audit your space, present you with a plan for it, and then either come and do it all, or do it with you (most likely with you in the background to vetoe decisions). Essentially everything comes out, some of it is gotten rid of, the rest of it goes back in a much more orderly fashion that fits your lifestyle and use of space. It has potentially to be life changing (based on stories I'm told!)

BumblingBanana · 17/07/2025 22:44

This is who I recommend, she trained with Dilly from Sort Your Life Out:

www.declutterandflourish.co.uk/

Mrsmouse71 · 17/07/2025 22:46

When you’re ready to get rid book Anglo collections for charity stuff

Devianinc · 17/07/2025 22:56

It’s really not that hard to do. Just pick a chore and get it done. Make for30 minutes and you clean out your underwear drawer, if you have enough time, do your socks. It’s just doing it in small increments so you don’t get overwhelmed. Me, if I start on something, even if I didn’t want to do it, I don’t stop until the whole room is done. Honestly, I did my closet and just pulled handfuls of hankered clothing, went through it, keep, donate, sell or garbage. What I thought would take me at least 2 days took me an hour. It’s getting over the hurdle to just start it. You have to start it to finish it. Hangered clothes.. it’s not as hard as you’ve convinced yourself of. I swear.

saraclara · 17/07/2025 22:57

BumblingBanana · 17/07/2025 22:44

This is who I recommend, she trained with Dilly from Sort Your Life Out:

www.declutterandflourish.co.uk/

But how much does it cost?

It's virtually impossible to get any idea from declutterers' websites.

Redglitter · 17/07/2025 22:59

Do it. Its life changing

I had my house decluttered a couple of years ago.

We had s consultation first and we went round each room, and discussed what needed done.

On the day(s) in my bedroom for instance she went through every item in it and i decided if it was keep bin or donate. She was ruthless. Thet was repeated throughout my house. Every drawer every cupboard, every item.

By the end of the declutter we had something like 30 bags for dumping and 20 for charity.

Once the declutter was done they organised everything. Wardrobe looked amazing, all my clothes in the drawers folded. Kitchen cupboards looked like they were out of a magazine.

Absolutely everything in my house had a home it was amazing

They took all the rubbish away and someone came from the charity they work with and took all the charity donations. So I wasnt left with anything to get rid of

I have them come over once a year gor a "refresh'

Honestly if you can afford it - do it

https://www.instagram.com/thesistermethod_?igsh=am5rcjlveXQ2cnNw

This is their insta page with loads of before and afters (including mine 😂)

vipersnest1 · 17/07/2025 23:00

Imagine you are moving house. Based on that, decide what you want to take with you and what you can let go of.
I’m actually selling my house at the moment and downsizing so I really need to get rid of things that I’m holding on to for no real reason.

notnorman · 17/07/2025 23:15

I want to move house next year so I’m going through my things and deciding whether I would take it or not. It’s really helped my mindset