creative dehoarding ideas?

Slinky

I often see this line posted on these sorts of threads, 'Women's refuges would be grateful for those items'. However, how does one find them to donate to, since by their very nature, they aren't going to be advertising their location to all and sundry?

Upsidedown_Bear

Slinky wrote: »

I often see this line posted on these sorts of threads, 'Women's refuges would be grateful for those items'. However, how does one find them to donate to, since by their very nature, they aren't going to be advertising their location to all and sundry?

You can search here:
https://www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-abuse-directory/

lessonlearned

I don't know how you find them TBH. As you say by their very nature they have to be discreet. I only know about the one near us because my friend is a volunteer.

Perhaps social services?? Don't know whether they would be allowed to divulge the whereabouts. Maybe a local GP who knows you and can vouch for you.

lessonlearned

Ah I see Upsidedown Bear has come up trumps with a search address.

Good old MSE.

Gwendolyn

I love this thread. I hit this point over the summer when I was decluttering the house. I hit the point of paralysis where I couldn't get rid of anything.
I sorted things into piles. Some things on reflection were good only for the tip - broken plastic items, cardboard, bits of metal from things. Things that weren't worth repairing.
There was also a pile of fabric for recycling.


Then I had a number of things like bedlinen, toys, books, clothes etc. I picked out a few excellent quality bits to sell.


I advertised on a local village email address. I sold a couple of good bits but most was for free.
The books and a cut class decanter went to a Macmillan coffee morning.
The bedding and children's toys and plastic crockery went to a women's shelter.
Some ladies from my village - some friends, some acquaintances took 4 sacks of clothes. I've received a thank you note from each of them. One had put on weight and needed clothes but was short of money. Another wanted suits for the odd occasion she needed them. Another was a teacher and a good friend. Another lady couldn't afford anything new and was most grateful.


Yes I could have washed, ironed and sold every item on ebay (all were good labels like Next, Jaeger, Monsoon - bought of ebay of course!) but they had been in the loft for two years and I am very time poor. Also, I felt it was somehow the right thing to do and I felt happier to let them go this way.


Two years ago I would have needed the cash and spent the time and energy selling. However, after a lengthy period of depression and the loss of my mother, I just couldn't face it.


Some things also went to local children's clubs - after school club and a mother and toddler group.


When I had done that, I reassessed what was left. A couple of old duvets went to an animal shelter. I'm afraid I cut up some things for rags and craft projects and then sent the remaining clothing to the tip's fabric recycling.


The last of the books also went to our tip - actually it's called a recycling centre. They've brought in new rules, which means books can't be thrown away - they have to recycle and reuse wherever possible!


Because I was so far down the line, getting rid of the last few bits was much easier as I could already see the space I had cleared and the benefit for my home and family.

jackomdj

We live next to the vicarage and I give old clothes/toys etc to them. They know various groups, women's refuge, men's groups, refugees etc and always pass things on to a suitable group.

VfM4meplse

lessonlearned wrote: »

Don't know whether they would be allowed to divulge the whereabouts. Maybe a local GP who knows you and can vouch for you.

That ain't gonna happen.

There are loads of ideas on Pinterest, I'd like to have a go at making some woven rugs for the LO's room. At least they'll provide a soft landing and be easy to wash

LameWolf

helcat26 wrote: »

Hi
He uses old underpants for polishing the car.

My issue with the towels is that he has a fair few towels of varying condition- some rags some excellent. At least once every 2 months he makes me go through the ritual of sorting sheets and towels as he says he does not "understand" (?) them!

This involves a process that is not allowed to be rushed where he hold up each item and I pronounce- put that for rags, start using that now, save for guests etc etc. We are not even allowed to do it by matched set.

Then I go away and the rag ones are put back in the bathroom and he might even buy more towels at the local market which then leak colour in the wash.

If I ask why the rag ones are in use again he feigns ignorance (does not understand towels you see). If I say we did this last month and just grab them and stick them in piles he gets upset. And if I take the rags ones away to stop him using them he sulks.

This takes at least 1 hour every 2 months.

I will eventually strangle him with a towel, and spend the rest of my life in a prison with scratchy towels.

I commend thrift but there is also a wasteful aspect to hanging on to stuff you do not use especially when buying more stuff and something slovenly about using tattered towels when you have perfectly good ones to use. Visitors have seen his towels (ragged) and brought him more as gifts! The shame of it!

People can also think you are batty.

http://hitchhikers.wikia.com/wiki/Towel

Sorry, I couldn't resist.:rotfl:

fiddlesticks

I've been known to sneak old magazines into the piles in the waiting rooms at the GP and the dentist as a way of disposing of them. Nowadays I just don't buy magazines or newspapers as I often can't get rid of them