By Francesca Tuckey

Copyright walesonline

Having trouble deciding what to keep or throw away at home? Give this ‘Autumn Purge’ tool a go to quickly determine what stays and what goes. It comes after a recent survey revealed that the average Brit is holding onto nearly twenty items they no longer use, just in case they might need them again. Many people struggle to part with items in their homes, even if they haven’t used them for years. Half of us hold onto old tech like CDs and mobile phones, while others can’t bear to bin old shoes and 38 per cent hoard books they’ll likely never read again. While one in four try to declutter every few months to free up space at home, the research found that a change in season often triggers a home clear-out, with 16 per cent doing so in September, and 22 per cent ahead of buying new items around Black Friday and Christmas . Over half actively search for items they can sell on Facebook Marketplace, Vinted and other online platforms during a declutter, while 54% said they recycle their unwanted goods, reports the Daily Star . Among those with unused items cluttering up their homes, a third say they don’t sell them because it’s too much hassle, or don’t believe their belongings are worth much. Other barriers to selling unused items include lack of motivation, time constraints and fear of getting rid of an item you might need later in life. However, a third admit they feel a sense of relief after decluttering. Decluttering expert and Sort Your Life Out host Dilly Carter has teamed up with Post Office to help families clear out unwanted belongings with the innovative new tool. The research was conducted by Post Office, allowing customers to send and receive pre-owned items through its network of 11,500 branches. Candice Ohandjanian, Mails and Parcels Director for the brand, said: “Our research revealed that people can feel overwhelmed by decluttering, but it brings a huge boost to mental health once it’s done. “We partner with the UK’s largest carriers, so you can drop all your sold items in one place to help ensure they’ll arrive safely and securely at their new homes.” The OnePoll.com study also found that 32 per cent believe sorting out clutter significantly benefits their mental wellbeing. Dilly said: “Letting go of unused items is essential, not just for the way our homes function, but also for our overall wellbeing. When we’re weighed down by belongings we don’t need, it can have a huge impact on how smoothly our homes – and lives – run. “Having worked in thousands of homes, I’ve seen firsthand how clutter can affect not just your space, but also your energy and peace of mind. “I want to encourage everyone to pass their items on to the right homes, in the most efficient and thoughtful way possible.”