Decluttering my flat

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A " tool library" stocks a variety of tools which you can borrow. I think there is usually a small membership fee. Often the tools available have been donated and the library is sometimes run by a charity and volunteers. Our nearest one stocks items as small as a hammer and larger items like lawn mowers. They maintain & store the tools.Google to see if there is one near you.

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I should have said they are sometimes associated with "green/environmental" organisations to cut down on people buying stuff that they use once and then it lies in a shed or garage. There is a "transition" charity locally which also offers a repair service for various small household items and clothing. Your local library might be able to tell you about local tool libraries and other useful groups.

SuzeQStan

highly recommend Olio, Trash Nothing, Freegle, Facebook for speedy easy to do free listings.

I have declutterred hundreds of items over the last few years via these apps. Takes no more than a minute to take a photo & state what the item is you are offering.

Then the collector picks them up from you. No needing to post anything etc.

This in turn prevents these items from going to landfill. You would be amazed what people will collect. There is a lady in our area that collects broken crockery as she makes mosaic artwork.

Toys and kids clothes go especially well
on the free apps

bouicca21

Round my way, a tool library is called a library of things.

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Thanks @bouicca21 I googled Library of Things and I discovered there is one of these locally as well as a Tool Library. Anyone needing an item should google these organisations, their inventory is extensive and impressive. Locally, no paper shredders though!

Slinky

Not surprised about lack of paper shredders in a tool library. Unless it's a commercial machine, in my experience small domestic shredders get a load of use all at once, get overheated and break. Something like that needing to be borrowed is because someone has a lot of paperwork to get rid of and the shredder will be overworked.

I've got a big chunky shredder from when I ran my own business, but I found out the hard way that domestic ones are only capable of a few sheets at a time, and run for a short timescale. Having replaced two small ones, third time I bought something capable of doing a big job.

YorksLass

When I wanted to dispose of my late DH's tools, I found a local tool library called Buy Nowt (well, it is in Yorkshire!) who were more than happy to take them. It's a voluntary-run community organisation that started with just tools but has grown to take other things like camping equipment, outdoor games (eg giant Jenga), decorating items (eg tile cutters, steam strippers), catering equipment etc. Any electrical items are PAP tested for safety and what can't be repaired is recycled. There's a small annual subscription fee for members, loans are on a pay as you feel/can afford basis and their inventory is most impressive. As others have said, a good way to borrow something you might need only once rather than buying.

SuzeQStan

just to mention shredders are offered time to time on the free apps - you can search for them and set it to notify you via email if one gets listed in your area. I’ve just checked and Trash nothing has one offered yesterday in our area.

PipneyJane

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6654348/decluttering-my-flat

Please talk to your child before getting rid of anything that might possibly have been theirs (toys, etc). You don't know what is psychologically valuable to them that they left at home for "safe keeping" when going off to college or flat sharing.

Not everything is discussed with parents.

• Pip

Savvy_Sue

When my friend had a humungous amount of shredding to do, she used a 'bag and collect' service. They sent sacks, she filled and sealed them, they collected them, job done.

My problem is that if you list something and it doesn't go, you've got this niggling feeling you ought to try again, or get to Re-use Shop at the tip, and I just don't.

Or you get a bag of stuff ready for the Charity Shop, and forget to take it on several trips, and then they're full that day …