Decluttering a hoarder’s study tips?

[u/Cool-Alfalfa]

My father has reluctantly agreed to let me declutter his study.

It is stuffed with old machinery, houseware, technology etc - half the room is inaccessible.

Do you have any good tips on being ruthless when disposing of unnecessary items?

So far I have:

• If you haven't used it in a year it can probably go
• If you haven't "got around to fixing it" in a year you probably won't

Thank you

[u/JanieLFB]

We were organizing a shed my brother that just thrown things into. I sat Mom in a chair by a window for a breeze. The new shelving unit was next to her. I handed her a box of assorted stuff and asked her to sort. Trash can was between her feet. She has three comfortable levels of shelves to place things upon.

She even had a spot for her ice water!

We got a ton accomplished. I brought over boxes. She sorted. I carried away trash. I moved good stuff to other spots.

I hate to see what it looks like now. My brother didn’t learn his lesson and he still just opens the door, tosses, and slams the door.

OP, I hope you have a pleasant time with your father. Keep him talking about random stuff. Take water and bathroom breaks. Maybe go out to eat at the end of the workday.

[u/Cool-Alfalfa → u/JanieLFB]

Thank you, I made him cups of tea whilst we sorted and we took a long break for lunch. He has some unusual attachments to some things but generally did a good job of letting stuff go. We drove to the dump together listening to his favourite station and when we got back I highlighted how easy it now is to store and access his history books. Keeping it productive but pleasant is important I’ve learned.

Your method of helping your mother sounds a very good one.