Decluttering/dehoarding- how do you get rid of stuff?

[gettingridofstuff]

We have so much STUFF in the house that is cluttering up the spare room and shed. A lot of it is just junk that needs to be binned- old, broken furniture, obsolete tech, stuff like that.

We don't have a local tip/recycling place and no car.

How do I actually remove the junk from the house?

Furniture can be collected by charities

Metal can be left out the front for tat men

If it is truly junk, then on a weekly basis, break it up for the bin men

Obsolete electronics can be taken to Curry's who will recycle

Does your council offer a bulky waste removal service? Ours does, though you have to pay for it. They will collect up to 10 items in one visit - theres a list of do's and don'ts on the website as to what you can put out.

It's fresh in my brain because we've got a collection booked for Tuesday! Old furniture, carpets and the like. It's also made us seriously attack the clutter (again) - I married a hoarder though he denies it then we produced 2 more of the same so life has been a constant 'getting rid'

Some charity shops will also collect things useful enough to sell.

You'll need to pay for licenced waste removal if there's some spare money. And if there's bin space then a bit in the bins before each bin day.

There are lots of rubbish clearance type companies in my area at least. Usually they just want a photo of what the rubbish is and will then collect from the front garden for a cash payment. Just make sure they are properly licensed and won't just fly tip the lot.

There's a cost obviously but it's worth it. I got rid of 10 black bags of stuff recently and it was amazing seeing it go.

Is your black bin already stuffed every week & you can't filter some in each week?

We get prompted to recycle electricals as part of regular waste collection routine, once in awhile.

Hire a skip ? See if neighbour will share / spread cost ?

What about Bonfire Night?
Local organizations would probably come for your broken furniture.

Im currently doing a Swedish Death clean as both DC are on the threshold of a new phase in life. One to University and the other to the world of work.

I’ve got rid of loads of mine and children’s books on Facebook Marketplace (10p each).
Offered a working VCR and loads of Disney videos for grandparents to entertain the little ones :€10 on Facebook.
Taken a stack of (expensive at the time) music books and scores to the music school staff room.
Given away perfectly good garden toys to neighbours with small children.
Made €50 on a Horrible Cat Ornament left by DMil!

You need to sort and work out who would appreciate your stuff and maybe pay you for it. And the mess gets worse before it gets better.

It was a while back but with similarly limited options my research showed it was cheaper to get a junk collection service than to hire a skip.

As @caramond says, I felt the impact of getting loads of stuff taken away in one go, it really energised me.

You should be able to get rid of anything metal. Even if you ask on Facebook groups if you dont have scrap men passing someone will come and get them.
Lots of things can be chopped up and added to household waste. That’s what DH does with wood from the shed, cuts it down and adds it over a few weeks.
my local authority also picks up rubbish, it’s quite cheap. We also have a local company that does these large heavy bags (like those you get for big deliveries of gravel) for when you don’t have enough for a skip.

I split stuff into categories

Vinted to sell
Charity shop
Bin

I sell any decent clothes, and unopened toiletries, and jewellery, games, books etc. This has made enough money to buy new storage units etc.

I give away anything that is not quite good enough to sell. I offer childrens books on the local "Free Stuff in XXX" page and people come and collect from the house.

I throw away anything broken or that I can't give away.

Our local council will collect larger items - 2 for £23, 4 for £38. (your cost may differ). They will also take clothing, shoes, bedding, and small electricals on recycling collection day.

British Heart Foundation will come to your door to collect bags of stuff if you donate it, just research it in your area.

Hippobag if you have a front garden to put it in. Buy it, fill it up, call them and they collect it.

I didn't know that about Currys.

I’m just clearing my late father’s enormous and cluttered house. Charities have taken some things, but been a little hard work. The easiest way has been via a local waste saver page on Facebook- people come to collect it.