r/declutter • u/Cool-Alfalfa • 3d ago

Decluttering a hoarder’s study tips? Advice Request

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

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u/jesssongbird 2d ago

Grouping the things together by category helps. We tend to underestimate how much of a certain type of thing we really have when it’s all spread out. Seeing the things all in one place is enlightening. Then I help the person decide on where those things will be kept. And we put away the best stuff until it’s full.

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u/Cool-Alfalfa 2d ago

Thank you, I can already see he has 3 waste paper bins. Soon to be 1 if I have anything to say about it haha.

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u/JanieLFB 2d ago

Hmm. Sounds like he is ready for “donate”, “trash”, and “belongs in another room”!

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u/Cool-Alfalfa 1d ago

Haha, we’d need wheelie bins for that!