Turn clutter into cash

Declutter Hub gurus Ingrid Jansen and Lesley Spellman share their top tips for making hundreds from your old stuff this summer - and getting the kids involved too

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Whether it’s overflowing toy boxes, bulging wardrobes or forgotten treasures in the loft, most of us are holding on to more than we need. And we could be sitting on hundreds of pounds without realising it.

Summer is the ideal time to declutter. The weather is better for boot sales, the kids are off, and there's no better motivation than clearing out before the new school year.

We can pocket an average of £20 per item by selling our preloved goods - with clothes, phones and tablets or gaming gear the most lucrative items to resell online, a PayPal study showed.

Ingrid Jansen, 51, and Lesley Spellman, 56, known as The Declutter Hub, are experts on home organisation and the authors of Reset Your Home, Unpack Your Emotions And Your Clutter, Step By Step (Bloomsbury).

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With a combined 30 years of experience and a top-rated podcast downloaded more than 2.5 million times, the pair have helped thousands of families take control of their space and make money from the process.

Lesley says: “Summer is a brilliant time to declutter because it gives you space and time to focus. You're often at home more, the weather's better for car boots, and it’s a great opportunity to get the kids involved too.

“People don't always realise how much value is hiding in their homes. If you're organised and choose the right selling platforms, it’s possible to make hundreds of pounds from things you no longer use, especially clothes, toys, homeware and gadgets.

“You don't need to sell everything individually either. Bundling cheaper items together can be really effective, and outsourcing to a trusted seller can take away the hassle entirely.