Day one of me time - the big de-clutter

[callmeovercautious]

So having decided to de-clutter and recycle everything I found I was to discover 3 bin bags of perfectly good clothes I no longer wanted in my bedroom.

Some were 10+ years old but a few things were bad buys. The good news is I found a bag of things I put away when PG so it is like I have been shopping The bad news is I still don't seem to have enough wardrobe space.

So the question is what do I do with it all. There is about half a bin bag of rags and 3 whole ones that some one somewhere would get some use out of.

Charity Shop? Freecycle? or one of those clothes "bins" at the re-cycling centre?

If you can be bothered, boxes of books have always sold well for me at car boots.

OOh, they're fun! I made £170 on the last one I did. Selling crap.

I did 5 bags last week from my wardrobe, still have to go through the storage baoxes under my bed and the ones in the eaves storage. I then have to do all the other rooms in the house, then brave the garage with 6 years worth of girls clothes, 3 years worth of boys clothes and all the gizmos and gadgets/furniture/pushchairs/ and all other baby/toddler equiptment known to mankind. Potential to make a fair bit of money but no time nor desire to, so think "charidee" is the easiest root.

I really can't be bothered with a Car boot sale, I am not the most Motivated hence the posts on here to keep me going

I think I will give it to the Charity Shop, I have a box of odds and ends they might take too.

Books - there is a 2nd hand book stall on our Market and he takes them and sells them on, he will give you a few pence for each apparently so maybe you can see if your local Market has the same sort of stall? If not take a carrier bag each time you go into town and go to a different Charity Shop each time. Spread the love Or see if your local Hospital/Old Peoples home can use them?

I give unwanted clothes to a local charity who help people who have been victims of domestic violence and had to leave their homes with nothing. They can also use unwanted toys and books, kitchen equipment etc.

Good Idea Clayhead, will I just find them in the yellow pages and call? I have some Kitchen bits and a few Double Duvet sets etc (I have up graded to a King) that still have plenty of wear in them. Most of my Grandmas clothes went to her local Womens refuge when she died as she had been a big supporter of it so that seemed the best place, I might see if they want it all.

Not wishing to prevent anyone donating them to shelters and so on, but BookMooch is a great site for getting rid of books you don't want and exchanging them for books you do want. It's dead simple and works really well.

This looks really good - I will be sharing with DP and may have a little points competion Thanks Policy.

I contacted my HV when I cleared out loads of clothes and baby stuff, and she passed it on to various shelters and families in need. I do think even charity shops charge too much sometimes, and would rather give it directly to somebody in need.

I did a huge clearout 2 and half years ago and there was an Oxfam bin at our local Tescos for unwanted books and CDs.

I pass on nice children's clothes to a cousin and all the rest, plus miscellaneous textiles, just go in the textile bin. The charities sort them - the rags get made into paper, what is saleable gets put in shops etc.