Time to junk the junk

The current crusade to de-clutter the UK’s homes is apparently having little impact on the average Briton. While we might enjoy watching the glut of TV shows – dictated by the House Doctor mantra: neutral is good, clutter is bad – it appears we are a nation of hoarders.

According to a recent poll, a whopping 95% of us admit to holding onto items we have no intention of using again. In addition, a quarter of all respondents said entire rooms had been rendered uninhabitable by accumulated junk.

So if you don’t want to cart unfinished projects (namely that collection of broken chairs bought on the off chance you might, one day, take an upholstery class) to your new home, start by bucking the national trend.

While I’m not suggesting you turn your newly acquired three-bed terrace into a soulless mausoleum, moving house presents the ideal opportunity to liberate that languishing ten-year pile of pre-euro denominations – organised photograph albums are a much better reminder of drachma-driven holidays.

First, identify your clutter. Spend a few days in the weeks prior to your move going from room to cupboard to alcove, assessing what’s there. You might find it useful to place stickers on the stuff you want to get rid of – though for many this will be an organisational tip too far.

Kitchen cupboards can reveal a multitude of sins from five year-old packets of grains to out-of-date healthy snacks, bought with good intentions during your last attempted detox. If it’s past its sell-by date bin it. Sort everything else into easily transportable containers to keep it fresh. Most high street stores now stock a range of affordable storage solutions and similar alternatives. Chipped mugs, cracked glass and broken juicers all need to go. List any necessary replacement items and buy them only after you move into your new home – you may find you can get by without.

Bathrooms, very often the smallest room in the house, tend to get overlooked in the clear-out process. Don’t underestimate their clutter potential. Most bathroom cabinets contain an assortment of discontinued products and remedies. Rule of thumb: if it’s softened, hardened or changed colour, dump it.

Clothes tend to be a female weakness with many reluctant to part with old favourites that no longer fit, or went out of fashion when Margaret Thatcher lost office. Once you have accepted that your size 8 days are long gone (and the iron lady look is never going to be fashionable) old designer numbers can be auctioned off or donated to a charity shop, along with any other items in good condition. If they are too old, or worn, check out local recycling facilities, most set one aside for textiles. Men are also guilty of clinging to old stuff – though more through thrift than desire or hope. Remember the old adage ‘you only wear 20 percent of your clothes 80 percent of the time’. Children’s clothes are always welcome at school fetes and jumble sales, with the added bonus that donating to the school fund scores you extra brownie points.

Old bits of furniture and white goods are harder to offload. Legislation now prevents disposal in anywhere other than designated sites. Check with your local council, most offer a pick up and disposal system – for a small fee. Try furniture recycling outlets, (if your items are up to scratch) the Salvation Army operate big warehouses for the homeless. Second hand shops are also good bets.

When you are settled in your new home, resolve never to go through the process again. Identify your worst cluttering sins and try to change your habits; deal with post when it arrives, put your keys in the same place each night and recycle an item of clothing every time you buy something new. It might take practice to break a hording habit of a lifetime but it’s surprising how a bit of order can go a long way.