Autumn is here! The leaves are dropping, the weather is turning and the rain is, well, all over the place. So, we retreat into our homes to snuggle down under the heated blanket. But before you pop the kettle on and catch up on Bake off, it’s worth giving your home a declutter before the cold weather really sets in.
It’s easy for clutter to build over the summer months – we’re out of the house for much of our free time, and there’s little spare to spruce up the space. But now that we’re settling in for the shorter days, it’s worth clearing some of the chaos so we can feel at ease in our homes. Not sure where to start? We’ve given you 7 things worth decluttering in October.
Old Halloween costumes
It always feels wasteful throwing out an old Halloween costume. There might be sentimental feelings attached to your child’s first scary witch, or the vampire attire you bought last year might have been expensive. But let’s be honest, how often do you wear the same costume twice? And can your kid even fit into it again?
You’re better off donating or gifting old Halloween costumes that have served their purpose. Charity shops will be keen to accept them now to dress their windows. If it was expensive, now’s a good time to sell it online, too. If you are feeling sentimental, you don’t have to let go, but taking a picture while they're trick or treating in it is a better way to preserve memories!
Expired hot water bottles
Yes – hot water bottles do expire! And this is worth checking if you rely on the same one, year after year. There’s a circular ‘flower-like’ logo to show the date it was manufactured, usually found towards the neck of the bottle. This feature tells you how to read it, then you need only add two years to get the expiry date (that's how long most manufacturers advise using it).
This date does need to be taken with a pinch of salt, though. It’s based on using the hot water bottle immediately after it’s manufactured (which is rarely the case). Alternatively, you could just add two years to the date you started using it. Or replace it immediately if there’s signs of damage, like cracking or crumbling.
Burnt casserole dishes
Enamelled cast iron casserole dishes, such as the sorts from Le Creuset and Staub, look incredible and cost a lot – so it’s not something we’d usually declutter. But if you’ve ever burnt it dry or scorched something to the base, that’s when it needs restoring before you can use it again.
The easiest way to clear this is to fill the pot with water to just above the residue, bring it to a simmer on the hob, then chuck a dishwasher tablet in (ideally one that contains enzymes). Leave for 20 minutes to work its magic, let it cool, then rinse and clean. You can always repeat, but if the marks on the base are permanent and there’s visible damage where the enamel has chipped away, it’s no longer safe to cook in. It can either be used for display purposes only or recycled at a local recycling point.
Crushed cardboard boxes
Cardboard boxes can sag and tear from the humidity, or just be crushed by excess weight, so it’s better to recycle them and stick to sealed plastic containers for storage. After all, clothes moths can easily crawl in through any gaps!
Opt for a stackable plastic design that’s transparent so you can easily see what’s inside and label it to make it clear what goes where. Clothes (especially those made from natural fibres) are better off stored in clothes storage bags and cashmere storage bags to give them better breathability, while plastic containers are ideal for shoes, handbags and anything you want to protect from crushing.
Unused pet beds
We treat our pets to all sorts of toys throughout the year, and Halloween is no exception. There are already Vampire Dog Capes and Witch Hat Cat Trees at Pets at Home! But, before you buy that pumpkin-esque cat bed, it’s worth taking stock of the pet beds you already have dotted around the home.
Pet beds look adorable, and we can’t help but buy them on a whim. If they’re used, great, but if they’ve never been slept on, that’s something you can declutter this month. New beds can be donated as is, but if it was used once or twice, you’ll need to wash it first according to the care label. It might have a cover that needs removing or the whole thing might go in the washing machine. Wash at 60 degrees if the care label allows, using a non-bio detergent.
Forgotten board games
Halloween is also a time to break out the board games, but no one wants to assemble Monopoly only to realise the little dog is missing!
Pull out all the board games, jigsaw puzzles and card stacks that you have. First, go through and separate those that are broken or have parts missing. These can be recycled if possible or, if the part that’s missing is not crucial, can be donated with a note to flag what’s not included.
As for the rest, consider when you last played it and how likely you will be to play it again. Unwanted games can be donated or offered out to friends, family and neighbours. If it’s an old, limited game you’ve had stored in the attic, it might also be worth checking out its value with an auction house that specialises in collectables.
Old dressing gowns
Out come the dressing gowns with the autumnal weather. But how many do you have? There might be silky ones for the summer, cotton ones for the autumn and the all-time classic fluffy ones for winter. All in all, there could be several to serve you throughout the year, with more likely to be gifted at Christmas, so it might be time to clear those that are no longer needed.
Any dressing gown that’s showing considerable wear on its bum and elbows is a good candidate to declutter, as are those that you never wear. Depending on the condition, these can be donated to charity or recycled at a local clothes bank – or they could be washed and donated to a local animal shelter to be used as extra blankets.
