Carrying on from the de-cluttering theme

I’ve recently given up working in a charity shop because I just couldn’t cope any more with the black plastic bags of rubbish that people sent in.

I think I would say make your donations little and often rather than one big bag. When I saw a nice carrier bag with folded clothes my heart would lift 😊

I put a carrier bag over the handle of a spare bedroom door and add things to that. I have beautiful linens from my mother and really know that I will not use them but don’t want to throw them away. Would it be any use giving them to a charity shop? No one uses tablecloths and napkins these days unless in a restaurant. Someone said to me recently that my house was the only place he was ever given a table napkin.

My OH seems to just "shut his eyes to it all" his stock answer is "the kids will sort it when we're gone"!
I try to do bits and pieces as I see things cluttering. But on my own and having had to sort out my father's and his father's "stuff" when they passed away, I feel that I need to do the majority while I'm still able.
My children are scattered, eldest lives a train ride away, and is disabled with lots of illnesses, so she wouldn't be of any use. Middle child lives with us, but I despair at the clutter she has in her room......
Youngest lives, again a train ride away, with his family, don't see them very often apart from phone calls and occasional visit.
So I think I've got to get it done (if I can) and save them the job. I know that it will just be tipped in a skip if I don't.

Stansgran, please donate your unwanted linens to a charity shop. We use tablecloths and napkins in our (modest) home. I'm sure that we're not the only people who do this! (Most of ours come from charity shops.)

if charity shops don't want or are unable to take items check to see if there are any community groups who accept donations, i take a lot of mine to a community group who helps people who have been forced to leave their home because of domestic abuse and another one that helps people who have been given a home after being homeless, they take clothing ,footwear and kitchen equipment and other items that may help people set up a home

Has anyone considered asking an auctioneer to come and take away valuable things to sell?

Auction houses are very picky as to what they will take, which is understandable, I suppose.
Another downside is that most of them try to have some sort of theme to their auctions, so a particular themed auction may not be scheduled for ages. . We had to wait several months for my husband’s large and immaculate collection of Lego cars to be auctioned. Another downside is that they take quite a sizeable cut of the sale price for themselves. I think it’s only worth it if you have a large collection of ‘like new’ items.

keepcalmandcavachon

Spotted this recently -
We spend our first 30 years wanting stuff,
the next 30 years acquiring stuff,
then,
the next 30 years getting rid of stuff ...

Sounds about right to me.

My issue is larger furniture. I’ve lived with a grandfather clock my DH inherited in 2002 and I’ve always hated it. He says it can go but no one wants it and he won’t let it go to the tip.

Cabbie21

Our nearest charity shop will only take things in bags, Petra. But all too often they have a board outside saying they cannot take any donations that day.

We often get to the stage where health and safety would be apoplectic.

Has anybody mentioned “the elephant in the room,”ie the acquisition of more stuff?

Mentioning no names but quite a few grans clearly enjoy hitting various shops like The Range, TK Maxx not to mention trawling through other charity shops?.
Or buying kitchen and other gadgets which others are consigning to the charity bag? For instance I think I have given way at least 2 foot spas
I’m the first to hold up my hands and admit to enjoying shopping and buying things I like (maybe even need ) but I am also aware that the “one out, one in” principle does not necessarily constitute decluttering.

I try to follow the 'one in, one out' method, so I'm happy buying new stuff, but old things go to make way for the new. In addition, I do a version of the Swedish Death Clean after New Year.

Emmaus charity takes furniture and has an upcycling scheme too. It supports homelessness.

Keepmecalm- 😅😂😅

Been trying to declutter for years so where does it come from ? Still getting rid of stuff my sons left behind 20 yrs ago and replaced by toys and books for grandchildren and equipment . Now the “ baby “ 4.5 and at school time to get rid of the fold up cot bed and car seat for toddlers I think .

Has anybody mentioned “the elephant in the room,”ie the acquisition of more stuff?

Thankfully, I dont have that problem.
Only buying what I truly need.

The retirement community where I live has offered help today in getting rid of unwanted items. College students have volunteered to pick up and take items away. I got rid of several large items that were too heavy for me to take to a resale shop. After cleaning out my mother's home in June after her death, I am determined like many of you not to burden my daughter with that task someday.

Casdon

I’m on my second year now of the one in, two out decluttering method. It’s making a big difference to the amount of excess in the house, without any of the disruption of emptying drawers and boxes all at once. I’m applying it to everything I own, so I can get rid of, for example, two tablecloths if I get a new pair of shoes, or whatever. It’s a good option for procrastinators!

One in, two out. That’s brilliant, Casdon. I’m going to do that.

Since my heart op i can only do little and often, so ive put some really good or unused stuff on ebay, this year i sold a bath lift(used once) a set of unopened lego, a new digital radio, 2 beautiful barely sat upon velvet chairs and made over £300.Ive put on a few more items not yet sold.And i will add more as i can.Ive also given away lots to charity, clothes nearly new and some with labels still on, and given more still on freecycle.(including today in fact) But i still have more to do, as we have very little storage space.

Stansgran

I put a carrier bag over the handle of a spare bedroom door and add things to that. I have beautiful linens from my mother and really know that I will not use them but don’t want to throw them away. Would it be any use giving them to a charity shop? No one uses tablecloths and napkins these days unless in a restaurant. Someone said to me recently that my house was the only place he was ever given a table napkin.

Some people still do appreciate these things, especially good quality/vintage items. I have sold things on Vinted recently and it’s amazing what sells (and how easy it is) maybe this could be an option for you?

Hazel193- we shouldnt be amazed really- polititions do it all the time!😆

Sorry somehow that post got crossed with one on another post😆🫤

Stansgran

I put a carrier bag over the handle of a spare bedroom door and add things to that. I have beautiful linens from my mother and really know that I will not use them but don’t want to throw them away. Would it be any use giving them to a charity shop? No one uses tablecloths and napkins these days unless in a restaurant. Someone said to me recently that my house was the only place he was ever given a table napkin.

It’s become quite a think to upcycle table linens into clothes (blouses and skirts). There was a Sewing Bee contestant - last series I think - who did some wonderful stuff and I think it’s inspired others. So it might be well worth passing them on.

I like using Freegle - I try to make sure everything is clean and well presented for the photos. There are lots of people on there who are keen to be able to avoid waste by reusing etc as well as people who don’t have a great deal of money.
I’m amazed by where some of our stuff has ended up, and sometimes I get to meet the people who are taking things which is really nice too.
I have put things on Freegle that I couldn’t send to a charity shop, including DIY left overs an electrical. I don’t usually put clothes on there, but linens, blankets, household items, cosmetics, art materials, small bits of furniture, curtain poles, mirrors etc have all found new homes. It’s been useful for moving on stuff our kids have left here, and for my mum’s declutterring.
Even OH old motorcycle leathers came in useful to someone.

I find Olio good for giving away unwanted items, not just food but anything -just list the items (free or for sale) online and individuals arrange to collect from your home. There are others, Freegle, Freecycle, Shpock, Trash Nothing, and more. I am often surprised how grateful recipients are for things I am happy to pass on.
Charity shops are often overwhelmed with donations on Mondays. Some seem to have more books than they have space for except for Oxfam’s dedicated bookshops which will take them all. The ones such as the Heart Foundation which take furniture and electrical items (including white goods) will send a van to collect.