Six steps to prevent baby clutter taking over your life

Six steps to prevent baby clutter taking over your life

by Katie Virk

Six months into motherhood my house resembled a landfill site. Precious darling’s beautiful nursery was a swamp of bin liners full of outgrown baby clothes. Clothes that had melted my heart with their tiny-ness only months before now spilled from every surface and corner of the room.

Marie Kondo (author, minimalist and internet sensation) promised me that everything would be ok if I just got rid of anything that did not “spark joy”.

So I did. In 10 minute bursts, to the soundtrack of colicky baby screams, I slowly picked through the chaos. I discarded 99% of the clothes and salvaged the tattered remains of my sanity.

I will never let my home get into this state again I vowed. But how?

Baby clothes organised

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to clutter.

When considering a purchase ask yourself:

1. Do I really need it?

This is the first question to ask because it’s the trap we all fall into so easily – buying something we don’t really need. Think about:

  • Have you got any similar items already?
  • Can you manage without it?
  • Is it actually going to be useful / bring you joy?
  • Will that joy last for more than the two minute attention span of your baby

2. Is this marketing hype?

Parenting is tough, we’re all desperate for a wonder product to solve our problems and the internet is very happy to provide. Don’t get sucked in to the hype:

  • Before you click that ‘buy’ button put the phone down and give yourself a cooling off period. As the dopamine rush of online shopping fades, or your little one has a better night’s sleep without that magic device, you might find yourself reconsidering.
  • Read independent reviews (not sponsored posts). Beware that a lot of the ‘top best items’ articles are actually paid for by companies.
  • Talk to your mum / sister / friend – did their little ones survive without this apparently vital item?

3. Where will I store it?

Remember you are paying rent or mortgage on every square foot of your home. You are paying extra for that attic / garage / spare room, so think carefully about what you fill it with, or sooner or later you’re going to be wanting a bigger place. Is this item so wonderful that you are happy to rent a storage facility for it? If not, then ask yourself:

  • Are you happy to see this item piled up on your table / windowsill / clutter hotspot?
  • Are you ready to put it back in its rightful place 8 times a day after your baby empties the draws again?

4. Do I want to care for it?

You wanted to be a parent, not work in a repair shop, so think about:

  • Does the delicate new ornament bring you so much joy that you are willing to spend your days defending it from your curious baby?
  • Is that cheap plastic toy going to break as soon as your baby slams it on the floor, and can you be bothered to find all the pieces?
  • Are these clothes going to be easy to wash, easy to get on a wriggling baby, easy to dry on a rainy day when your baby pulls everything off the clothes airer… again.

5. Have I got an exit strategy?

Gone are the days when we can magically disappear items by simply chucking them in the bin. Do you want to take responsibility for the proper disposal of this item? Arranging recycling, selling or finding a friend to pass on to all take time and thought. Have you got the energy to do this?

6. Is there a better alternative?

Renting your babies clothes and toys is an easy alternative for busy parents. No need to sort, store, pass on, sell. No need to drown in baby clutter. Just pop them in the reusable bag with the free postage label and return. Then have a well-deserved cup of tea, put your feet up and enjoy your clutter free space.

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Receive Credit For Your Unwanted Clothes

Tired of the endless cycle of kids outgrowing their clothes and wondering what to do with them? Our Sort Out Sack is your easy way to clear space and earn credit!

Receive £5 Borro credit guaranteed for every full bag we receive. PLUS £5 Borro credit for every organic item in excellent condition

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Questions?

Why Borro clothes?

Renting means less waste, more wardrobe flexibility and no more piles of outgrown clothes. It’s a smarter, more sustainable way to dress your little ones.

With Borro, you get high-quality kidswear without the commitment, just what you need, when you need it. Helping you save time, save money, and save the planet.

What about stains?

Don't panic! Let us worry about the stains. Stain insurance is included. Obviously it's best to prevent stains if you can, or treat them as soon as possible. But we will never charge you.

If the garment can't be saved, it will be upcycled or recycled. Nothing ever goes to landfill, and we'll never charge you.

Subscription & exchanges

Subscription

All the clothes are individually priced and there's no minimum amount or set subscription - we're flexible!

Rent as many/few things as you like and you'll see at checkout what your monthly subscription will be. (If you want us to pick out a coordinated bundle of 10 items for you, it's £29/month).

Exchanges

We know little ones grow as fast as the weather changes! You don't need to return your previous order to order new clothes, so simply send back items whenever you no longer have a need for them, and add any new items to your subscription, by adding them to your basket and checking out.

Delivery & returns

Delivery

Your order will be packed and dispatched the next working day. Delivery takes 2-3 working days.

Returns

Pop them inside the bag/box they came in, attach the free pre-paid returns label, then drop off at your nearest Evri ParcelShop.

We only include one pre-paid returns label per order, so if you choose to send just some of an order back and the rest later, you will need to pay for the postage of the second return. 

Once we've received your items we will amend your subscription so you only pay for what you've got.

We recommend returning items 4-5 days before your subscription renews in order to allow enough time for delivery and processing to avoid your next monthly payment going out. If you're a few days late, you can always cancel online (use the link in the order confirmation email). As long as we receive the clothes within the next few days, that's fine.

Sustainability

At Borro we maximise the use of each item of clothing by providing a service that ensures it's well maintained, repaired and enjoyed by as many families as possible.

So if a garment is used by 6 different users, the global warming potential is 49% less, with a CO2e (kg) per user of 1.18, instead of 2.29.

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