Downsizing or Decluttering & Doing It Without Stress

When you're working through getting your home ready for sale, one of the biggest hurdles can be what to do with all that stuff.

Decluttering a home you’ve lived in for years (or decades!) can feel overwhelming. If you’re staring down years’ worth of “just in case” clutter, don’t stress—we’ve got you covered with donation ideas, clean-out hacks and local services that make it easier.

Start Small, Start Now

Don’t try to tackle the whole house in a day. Pick one cupboard, one drawer, or one category—like old paperwork or that mysterious tupperware mountain. You’ll be amazed what a difference 30 minutes can make.

And if you haven’t used it in the last two years? It probably doesn’t need to come with you.

Wherever you decide to start, start today.

Sort Smart

Set up three piles:

• Keep – the must-haves (and the genuinely sentimental).

• Donate/Sell – still useful, but no longer needed.

• Toss – broken, damaged, or beyond saving.

Bonus idea: take photos of sentimental items before letting them go. You keep the memory without the clutter.

Know Where It Can Go (Without the Guilt)

Canberra has some great options for responsibly clearing your extras:

To donate or rehome:

• The Green Shed – ideal for furniture, kitchen gear, books and knick-knacks. You can drop off or request a collection.

• GIVIT – connects good-quality items with people in need.

• Salvos & Vinnies – check what they’re accepting. They’re a bit picky these days!

To give away or sell:

• 'Buy Nothing' groups – local Facebook groups where everything is free. People will literally come pick things up from your porch.

• Facebook Marketplace & Gumtree – easy options for selling or giving things away. Not tech savvy? Ask a friend or family member to help.

Bulky or Broken? Handy Services

• ACT bulky waste collection – Every household gets one free collection per year, up to 2 cubic metres. Perfect for old mattresses, broken appliances or the weather worn outdoor setting you never use.

• Mugga Lane & Mitchell Resource Centres – Drop off e-waste, chemicals, whitegoods, and oversized recyclables.

• The Tech Shed – A great little service that specialises in recycling IT gear like laptops, monitors, cables, printers and mobile phones. Ideal if you’ve got a drawer full of mystery chargers or a couple of retired computers in the garage.

Want It Gone Fast? Call a Rubbish Removal Crew

If you’ve got a whole garage or spare room to clear and don’t fancy hiring a skip (or lifting anything heavier than a coffee cup), rubbish removal services like Brindabella Waste or Golden Rubbish Removal can do the heavy lifting for you.

They’ll come in, clear everything you don’t want, and take it away—often sorting what can be donated or recycled. It's a great option for time-poor sellers or anyone physically (or motivationally!) unable to do the clearing themselves.

If It All Feels Like Too Much…

If the thought of doing it all makes you want to hide under your doona—that's totally normal. Decluttering is emotional as well as physical, especially when it’s been your home for a long time.

There are several local downsizing specialists you can call, like Spectrum Organising. These services help people through downsizing, estate clearances and big life transitions. They’re gentle, non-judgy, and really good at helping you figure out what to keep, what to let go of, and how to actually get it out the door.

They’ll even help coordinate donations or arrange transport—you can hire them just for advice or to manage the whole process for you!

Your New Chapter Starts With Less Stuff

Decluttering doesn’t have to mean stress. With the right tips—and a bit of local know-how—you can clear the clutter, rehome your extras, and make room for what matters most.

So whether you’re going it alone or calling in some backup, take a breath and start small. You’ve got this.