Things you didn't know about clutter

Nearly 12,000 people attend hospital each year after tripping at home over toy boxes, construction toys and other toys. And over 400 people attend hospital after tripping over piles of washing. (Source: DTI Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System)

In a house fire, it takes just 2 to 3 breaths of toxic smoke to knock you unconscious – there is no time to climb over piles of junk. (Source: directgov.uk)

Hoarding is to be recognised as a mental health disorder in its own right (Source: proposed revisions to the standard classification of mental disorders ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)’ on www.dsm5.org)

It costs local councils £54 million a year to clear up illegally dumped waste, and half of all fly-tips are on the streets. Nearly two-thirds of fly tips are household rubbish. (Source: Environment Agency www.environment-agency.gov.uk)

Of the 10 million items of furniture thrown away in the UK every year, 3 million could be easily re-used and more could be repaired. (Source: Furniture Re-use Network (FRN) www.frn.org.uk)

Charities raise £120m a year by selling goods donated to charity shops. (Source: Association of Charity Shops www.charityshops.org.uk)