Skip to content
There are so many unworn or unused shoes in British households that if you put them heel to toe in a line they’d stretch all the way round the world.
Piled on top of each other all the CDs and DVDs we don’t listen to or watch would stretch 7,641 miles into space.
Broken down, the average Brit currently owns 53 items of unworn clothing, 36 CDs and DVDs that are never played and seven pairs of unwanted shoes.
Liberating ourselves of unwanted clutter in our homes could free an entire room for new uses.
According to new research from Oxfam, the nation owns a staggering amount of unneeded stuff – with 143 unused items stashed away in a typical household. It reveals clothes are most likely to be cluttering up our homes, followed by CDs, books and toys.
‘There are about 27 million households in the UK, and if each one has 143 unused items, we’re talking about more than three billion CDs, DVDs, homewares, accessories and clothes cluttering up a mind-blowing amount of space! Our homes are too small to deal with this.
‘Donating clutter to charity is a great solution for everyone. Not only does it liberate precious floor and storage space in our homes it also raises money for people who really need help.’
ANDREW HORTON
Oxfam’s trading director
The research also shows one in 10 Brits have never thought about donating their unused items to charity. This is despite almost half of us commonly commenting on the clobber in other people’s houses and losing items from the stacks of stuff we own.
Four in 10 of the respondents admitted they haven’t really thought about the amount of space that could be liberated by a good clear out, which the research showed could free floor space equivalent to an entire room.
According to the study, the unused CDs and DVDs in each house would cover a floor space of 13.48 square metres, equivalent to a main bedroom in an average house.
When it comes to our wardrobes, the research revealed there are 3.8 billion items of unworn clothing lying around, which could take up as much space as a guest bedroom.
‘An average bag of donated stuff – like clothes, books, music, DVDs and homewares – can raise enough money to help two vulnerable families buy desperately needed food in an emergency. Or buy five buckets specially designed to keep water clean and disease-free.’
ANDREW HORTON
Oxfam’s trading director
When asked what they’d do with the liberated space, four in 10 said they’d leave it empty and enjoy it. Redecorating and converting the space into a home office area was also a popular choice.
Those who are still hoarding their clutter are doing so for various reasons. Two thirds of Brits are keeping unused items ‘just in case’ they need them again. 34% said they keep some due to sentimental value.
Three in 10 said they have clutter because they can’t spare the time to try and sell it all.
‘Oxfam has almost 660 shops up and down the UK. So it’s simple to drop off your stuff at one of them.
‘They all desperately need good-quality donations of clothing, homewares like cutlery, crockery, linens, curtains and rugs, books and music and accessories including bags and jewellery. It’s satisfying to unburden yourself of the clutter other people are looking for and will love.’
ANDREW HORTON
Oxfam’s trading director
Click here to find your local Oxfam shop or donation bank.
Sorry we don't have any suggested related content at the moment. Please check back later.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Weekly ethical news, offers, comps and a free digital mag (quarterly) – what’s not to love?
