Janepie33 Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 As I am really really bad at throwing things away, I have a house (and loft! ) full of 'stuff'. I will quite happily give things to charity shops and recycle everything recyclable, but I struggle with things that just need to go into the bin and eventually to landfill. I was delighted to send a huge package of used stamps to the RNIB and neighbours were delighted with the old board games, BUT....... For example, what on earth do you do with half used nail varnish and perfume? Would charity shops want these? Can they be recycled in the glass recycling or just thrown in the bin? Are there any specific charities that would want these things? Any help and advice greatly appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath & chuck it in the bin! Or go to your local recycling centre & see if it can be put to some use there....we are doing weekly trips at the moment, with our big move coming up. I always get rid of my old nail varnish to local school fetes who have a nail painting stall...they just add a bit of remover to loosen it up Most areas now have a freecycle page on Facebook too, where I have got shot of lots of stuff I no longer need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Maybe with it being the summer holidays a summer craft based play scheme would like the nail varnish, perfume is a difficult one, charity shops will take sealed ones, not sure about used, some are saleable on eBay, but postage is difficult because the Royal Mail will only send sealed packs of 50ml or less or multi packs of 4 in original packaging. The thing that I hate throwing away is duvets and pillows, we have put them in fabric banks, but I don't think that they really like them. The problem is that it is cheaper to buy new than to have them cleaned and you can't do without one whilst it is cleaned either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Some animal,rescue centres will take duvets/pillows as dog bedding. Toiletries are difficult, I have makeup, some unused and good quality that is wrong colour and I never know what to do with it but seems a waste to throw away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 It is difficult but after 44 years married I am going through our home and decluttering - I seem to have too much of everything - from dishes to ornaments and storage tubs. I am going through the house weekly and throwing away/recycling what I can each time the bins are collected and I go to town to recycle - it is making a difference and the place looks better and is so much easier to keep tidy and clean. The loft is still to do but not so bad as the kids went through all their things a few years ago and got rid of them. The only thing I have now too much of is my fabric stash!!!!! ps - old shampoos you dont like can be used as hand wash or shower gel! The perfume as a room spray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 I take duvets and pillows to the launderette - far cheaper than the dry cleaners and thats all the dry cleaners do with them anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Nail varnish and perfume I tend to give to friends if I don't like them/they don't suit. We've had a couple of 'swapping parties' in the past for makeup etc that we didn't want - everyone gets to clear out their stuff and go home with something new to try I also use old nail varnish for marking computer leads (the one with a blue dab on goes in the socket with a blue dab on and so on - it's hardwearing stuff) containers and all sorts If it's higher end stuff you could try selling it on ebay - used perfume can get a respectable price, especially if it's discontinued If you have a women's or homeless shelter near you, you could also ask if they would be interested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 14, 2016 Share Posted August 14, 2016 Excellent fun! I am currently decluttering the attic, and have 3 piles... eBay, charity shop, and free cycle. Great way to get rid of stuff you no longer need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 We have found boxes in out loft that have remained unpacked from our move to this house 25 years ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Janepie, I know exactly what you mean - sometimes not being able to find a suitable home for our unwanted stuff can induce a sort of paralysis. I hate waste and try to recycle, Freecycle or donate as much as possible. I'm sure it's been mentioned before on the forum, but I really recommend reading 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying' by Marie Kondo. Yes, she is slightly bonkers but it's quite honestly changed my attitude to keeping stuff, I have cleared vast amounts of Stuff from my house, and I don't miss any of it. I am a natural 'keep it, it might be useful' sort of person, so I'm not living in some sort of minimalist home now, but I'm no longer keeping broken things, stuff I bought and then didn't really like, or things that aren't used because my tastes and life have changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Me too Olly, although I think it has been age related with me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 I have been clearing out my wardrobe and drawers over the past couple of weeks and have already sold a load of knitting wool, a Monsoon dress and some trainers which I knew were too small when I bought them, but they were a 'bargain'. I am £120 better off and have so much more space and can actually find things I have been hoarding knitting wool for about 15 years, a lot of it I inherited from my Gran when she died, but it was holding me back from projects because it was never quite right for what I wanted to make. I have donated loads of clothes too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 I agree that it can be very cathartic to have a clear out - my new house rule is that...if it is broken or hasn't been used for 6 months then out it goes! Its amazing just how many things this applies to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 My room at home is full of 'stuff' so I've had a big clear out this summer. Loads of books, school and uni work have been recycled, toys donated to charity shops and lots gone to the tip too. I still had my class books and homework from when I was in year 6 The trouble is I have lots of 'stuff' that I still need but is only used a few times a year (theatre lighting equipment, chicken course stuff) so I've sorted it into clear plastic storage boxes and will all be labelled on shelves in my new wardrobes. Re-decorating my room and going for a taxidermy/vintage veterinary theme... very me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share Posted August 18, 2016 Thanks everyone. Two trips to the dump, 8 bags to charity shops and a selection of things donated to a delighted neighbour! I'm getting there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Well done - its a great feeling isn't it? So much less clutter in cupboards etc. I am paring to the bare minimum of everything. Seem to have far too much of just all household stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted August 18, 2016 Share Posted August 18, 2016 Some animal,rescue centres will take duvets/pillows as dog bedding. I took a load of old towels to my local RSPCA rescue, they were accepted with thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Some animal,rescue centres will take duvets/pillows as dog bedding. I took a load of old towels to my local RSPCA rescue, they were accepted with thanks! I take ours to the local vets They are always pleased to have them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
