047 - The truth about Hand Me Downs

Send me a text message about this podcast

Episode Summary: In today’s episode of Decluttering Untangled, I’m tackling the topic of hand-me-downs. You know, those clothes and baby gear you save to pass down from one child to another? On the surface, it seems like a great way to save money and be efficient, but is it really? I work with so many parents who are drowning in clothes and chaos because of the sheer volume of stuff they’re holding onto for someday.

Spoiler alert: I’m not the biggest fan of hand-me-downs, and I explain why. From the clutter they create, to the mental energy it takes to manage them, I share my expert opinion on when hand-me-downs might be worth it and when it’s time to just let them go.

I also give you some practical tips and guidelines if you do want to save items for future use, and how to do it in a way that doesn’t overtake your home or your sanity.

Key Takeaways:

• Holding onto items can cause more stress than it’s worth, and most kids need less than we think.
• Hand-me-downs only work well if you have a tidy, organised system in place and can actually use the items in a reasonable timeframe.
• Storing clothes or baby equipment for long periods often leads to damage like mould or makes them outdated and unusable.
• If you do decide to save items, store them properly, label everything clearly, and set reminders to actually use them before they become irrelevant.
• It's often easier (and cheaper) to buy second-hand items later on than to save and store them for years.

Practical Tips:

1. Check the Gap: If there's more than a 2-year age or size gap between kids, don’t hold onto clothes unless they're truly sentimental.
2. Organise Well: Use clear plastic boxes, label them by size, and store them in a damp-proof, temperature-stable location.
3. Set Reminders: Schedule a reminder to revisit stored items so you don’t forget about them.
4. School Uniforms: Consider uniform swaps through school associations instead of storing them for years.
5. Let Go: If the storage feels overwhelming, ask yourself if saving the item is helping or hurting your peace of mind.

Get in Touch: Let me know your thoughts on hand-me-downs! Do you find them helpful or more hassle than they’re worth? Send me a message or drop by the Facebook group.

Support the show

If you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.

Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!

Follow me on Facebook

Buy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)

Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.

Follow me on instagram

Feel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com
Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.