Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

I'm having a clear out but......

(46 Posts)
goldengirl Thu 19-Jan-17 11:44:39

I'm actually having a clear out - yet another NY Resolution! This time it's the under the stairs cupboard where I have a lot of nappies for various sized GC who no longer need them. Unfortunately the packets have been opened over the months - for obvious reasons - but now the last GC is on the way to being toilet trained I'm at a loss as to what to do with them. Noone would want opened packets and I don't really want to send them to landfill but that is possibly the only option. Any ideas would be welcome please.

travelsafar Thu 02-Feb-17 15:14:58

I have spent a couple of hours sorting out clothes,including several winter coats, handbags, shoes, boots and other bits this afternoon, there are 5 black bin bags on my landing waiting to go into the car to be taken to the charity shop. But, there still doesnt seem to be much room in my wardrobe!!!
How is it we accumilate so much Stuff!!!!! lol

Jalima Sun 22-Jan-17 21:07:52

DH took a couple of bags of quite nice stuff to the charity shop and she wasn't keen on taking it - because everyone clears out after Christmas and they have far too much to cope with!
However, after having a quick look she decided yes she could.

M0nica Sun 22-Jan-17 21:04:08

Homeless projects are also always grateful for good quality clean underwear, male and female.

Rowantree Sun 22-Jan-17 20:52:31

I once cleared out my knicker drawer. When I say 'knickers', I mean BIIIG knickers and lots of them. Plenty of life left in them, very clean and serviceable, but rather faded with all the hot washes and I had graduated to a different type anyway.
Much to DH's horror, I advertised them on Freecycle, which caused a great deal of merriment from readers, but there were several women interested and I was amazed that they were snapped up very quickly!

celebgran Sat 21-Jan-17 13:53:32

On a smaller scale just sorted 2 kitchen drawers out worse find packet lockets rather skicky!

Maybe some more cupboards another day!

Bez1989 Sat 21-Jan-17 13:14:53

GOLDEÑGIRL....great to hear about your under the stairs clear out as I'm going to do that very soon. I make decisions about which to throw out by pretending I'm moving house and asking myself..."Do I want to take this to me
new home ?"
Obviously if the answer iys No....then it goes in the suitable give away bag.
WORKS EVERY TIME !!

stayanotherday Sat 21-Jan-17 13:12:53

Well done for having a good clear out. Somebody will be grateful for them. Women's refuges would like all sorts of things, good quality clothes, books, toys and maybe some furniture.

grabba Sat 21-Jan-17 12:21:05

Food banks

Flossieturner Sat 21-Jan-17 10:46:21

Try Freecycle or Freelywheely. I have got rid of loads of unwanted things.

goldengirl Sat 21-Jan-17 10:10:22

I would never have thought of using them as water retention crystals icanhandthemback. Perhaps we should compile a booklet on ways to use up new nappies; there's some super suggestions on here grin

icanhandthemback Fri 20-Jan-17 23:56:39

You can always recycle them as water retention crystals. The inner core has a powdery substance which you can mix with soil when you pot up your spring flowers or plant your bedding plants. I did that last year with my DGD's unused nappies and it was brilliant. Apparently you can actually use wet nappies shock but I didn't fancy that.

cassandra264 Fri 20-Jan-17 22:54:24

Women's refuges/Women's Aid definitely - and our local homeless charity/food bank always desperate for toiletries/ sanitary items...

jacq10 Fri 20-Jan-17 21:25:30

Definitely try and use a "Freebies" site. Just type in your home town/area followed by freebies and that will take you to a site and the good thing is most folks come to collect and are really happy to do so. I have met some really nice people through doing this and am pleased not to have just dumped stuff!

Marianne1953 Fri 20-Jan-17 19:44:32

Give them to a food bank

Tessa101 Fri 20-Jan-17 19:12:40

I'd say women's refuge would be most grateful.Google your area for a phone number or address.

ellenemery Fri 20-Jan-17 19:02:26

I gave some to the local special needs school for their nursery unit.

callgirl1 Fri 20-Jan-17 16:27:06

When my husband had his stoma reversal operation, we had loads of stoma stuff that wasn`t needed any longer. It seemed a shame to just throw it away, especially as it probably cost the NHS a lot of money, but nobody wanted it. I tried the hospital and charity shops, but ended up taking it to the tip after all. Such a waste.

M0nica Fri 20-Jan-17 15:49:36

Freegle/Freecycle them, with an explanation. Oh someone has already said that!

EmilyHarburn Fri 20-Jan-17 15:35:16

Mums net had had a discussion on this gifting to women's refuge
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1364573-To-donate-to-a-womens-refuge

harrigran Fri 20-Jan-17 14:45:06

Persistentdonor, perhaps the church hall is used for a playgroup or toddlers where there is a need for changes of clothes.

Lindylou23 Fri 20-Jan-17 13:54:43

I agree freebie sites are brilliant. DH says nobody will want that , I put it on freebie site and its taken

Persistentdonor Fri 20-Jan-17 12:54:32

I was in a church hall (Methodist,) toilet recently, and they had storage boxes of clothes, and nappies there.
I wasn't sure if the clothes were intended for loan or to keep, but I assume it was all donated stuff.
So I guess that would be an option Goldengirl??

And a thunderous round of applause to you for having a clearout. Keep up the good work. flowers

Nelliemaggs Fri 20-Jan-17 12:40:29

I use Freecycle and yes people will come for opened packets.

goldengirl Fri 20-Jan-17 11:41:01

This is just brilliant! Thank you everyone for being so helpful

zaksmum Fri 20-Jan-17 11:30:40

Isn't there a website called stuff for free? I think I've heard of that somewhere.