5 ways to get your junk drawer sorted
Every home has one - that drawer that you chuck everything you don't quite know what to do with in. If you're anything like us, it's probably stuffed to the brim with dead batteries, rubber bands, screwdrivers, takeaway menus and an old phone or two!
If the arrival of autumn, with its new start feeling, has turned your thoughts to decluttering, the junk drawer is definitely one to tackle. Here's how to give it a good clear out!
Take it all out
First, take everything out the drawer and sort it all into piles of like with like. Go through it all, being completely honest about what you actually use and ditch, recycle or donate anything that's broken, no longer works or you no longer need. Anything that's in the wrong place can go in another pile to be returned to its rightful home.
Once the drawer is empty, given it a good clean with a damp cloth and leave to dry completely.
Storage solutions
Once you've decided what's going back in to the drawer, think storage. A pencil case for pens and pencils, for example and a sectioned tray or cutlery organiser works well. Small baskets or pots are perfect for stationery such as scissors, rubber bands and pins. Clear ziplock bags work well, too, as you can easily see what's in them.
How to find instruction manuals online
Got loads of paper instruction manuals for your dishwasher, washing machine and other appliances taking up space in your junk drawer? The good news is that you can chuck them right in the recycling! Do keep hold of warranties though. Most manufacturers have manuals on their websites nowadays and Manualsonline.com has a database of manuals for over 700,000 appliances and gadgets so if you ever need to refer back to yours you'll be able to find it online.
How to dispose of old batteries
Batteries count as hazardous waste and shouldn’t be thrown away with ordinary rubbish. To find out where you can recycle old batteries, look on your local council’s website. Most high street retailers that sell batteries, such as Boots, Tesco and Sainsbury’s, also accept them for recycling.
How to sell your old phones
If you’ve got an old mobile phone squirreled away in a drawer, you’re not alone. Us Brits have more than 85 million unused mobile phones gathering dust in our homes, according to research from Consumer Focus.
A number of sites will pay for old mobile phones, or take them off your hands if they’re not worth much anymore. Comparison sites like SellMyMobile.com and CompareMyMobile.com evaluate popular options to find you the best deal.
If you have an EcoATM automated kiosk at your local supermarket, you could also sell it there. It uses Artificial Intelligence to examine the phone and work out how much it’s worth. If you're happy with the price you're offered, you’ll receive a bank transfer within an hour.
GHI TIP: According to Sellmymobile.com you’ll get 10% more when trading in a phone if it’s unlocked - in other words, if it’s not restricted for use on a specific network. If you are a Pay As You Go customer or your contract has ended, contact your mobile provider to see if you can get your phone unlocked free of charge.
How to organise spare cables
Loose cables that get tangled up in everything else are often one of the biggest culprits of the junk drawer. Get yours organised with colour-coded ties or even in a smart travel pouch for ultimate order!
What to do with receipts
Do you actually need to hang on to that pile of crumpled receipts stuck at the back of the drawer? Probably not! The ones to keep are those for anything you might one day need to return. "Keep a record of major purchases and services, like jewellery, indefinitely as they could end up being useful one day. For example, if you need to make a claim on your home insurance policy," says the Money Advice Service.
Unfortunately around half of receipts are printed on shiny, thermal paper which is actually non-recyclable so those need to go in the bin.
Most retailers will now email you a receipt rather than print one out. Set up an email address specifically for receipts to avoid your inbox becoming cluttered.
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