The festive season is over and with nothing else to do (no money) and no fun to look forward to (you have sworn off the alcohol and the carbs), clearing out the cupboards, loft or garage is time well spent — and it might even burn a few calories and take your mind off the diet!

A declutter will not only make the house neater and more organised, it is also good for your wellbeing. Sue Kay, spokeswoman for the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers, says: “I have seen people in depression because they feel they cannot even do the simple task of keeping their house clean. That is why a thorough spring clean has a definite feelgood factor. It not only clears space, it helps wipe that 'to do' list that constantly accumulates in your head and keeps you awake at night.”

Afterwards you could sell items on eBay or take them to charity shops, but things do not always sell, and charity shops can be a picky. On Twitter last week an Oxford coffee shop owner said a local charity would not take his old TV because it wasn’t flat screen!

Hiring a skip is much easier — and it isn’t as environmentally unfriendly as you might think. All household waste collected by M&M Skip Hire Ltd, based in Cassington near Witney, is recycled whenever possible.

MD Mark Griggs says: “Getting a skip can be a green clean as well as a spring clean. We recycle around 90 per cent of all the waste that arrives at our site. Only 10 per cent goes to landfill.” M&M Skip Hire can be contacted on 01865 880559 or visit the website: www.mmskiphire.com