My own motivating house decluttering list of things I have achieved thread!

[southbank]

I am seriously drowning in clutter/crap whatever you want to call it.
3 year old twins,me and dp work full time,3 bed house.
every single room is full of clutter,paperwork with no order,toys everywhere,clothes continuously piled high,every single cupboard,drawer and storage area is full to overflowing with crap.
I'm absolutely up to my neck in it and I can't carry on like this,it's so bad we can't even get in the front bedroom.
So I'm making a stand!!!
I have decided that a clearout drawer by drawer,cupboard by cupboard,box by box is the way to go.
To keep myself motivated I'm going to list what I've done each time I clear more of the shit!

Last week.
-4 bags of clothes to the recycling bin
-unused cat milk to RSPCA collection
-cleared out cupboard with mugs and glasses,threw out
at least 10 bottles/zippy cups that are no longer used.
Kept just the 4 that we regularly used.
-cleared out the 'baby'cupboard,out of date medicines etc disposed of,all unusable equipment thrown out.
-cleared out 2xfood cupboards,all out of date food in food caddy
-cleaned out fridge,cleaned thoroughly in and out

This week so far....
-2 bags of clothes/rags to the recycling bin
-huge bag of batteries to sainsburys for recycling
-cleared out my huge makeup bag,and cosmetics cupboard,threw our all gone off creams,perfumes etc
Separated some unopened gift perfume for eBay.
-threw out all out of date cat medicine

Managed to collect together 2 bags of bits and pieces for dp sister who is pregnant,nappies found,bottles never opened,bottle warming bags,nappy sacks etc

Tonight
-want to clear out my cleaning cupboard
-want to clear out my pan/utensil cupboard
-put away all washing

[lolalotta]

It sounds like you are making GREAT progress, keep at it, it will be so worth it!!!!

[southbank]

Thanks,it feels good but doesn't look like I've actually done anything!
Still so far to go,it's going to take months I think!
But the relief at realising just chipping away is making some kind of difference is great.

[SwishSwoshSwoosh]

Sounds like a great start, well done! We decluttered massively, once you start it does get a bit addictive, hopefully you're on a roll now.

I'll happily read your updates to see how you're getting on.

Keep going!

[Rain1975]

This is a really good idea. Am currently trying to sort out all our clutter as we are moving in the summer and feel like I'm getting nowhere fast. I have done bits here and there but can't really see where I've been. Simply keeping a note of what I have done will really help. Genius :-)

[SwishSwoshSwoosh]

There were some things I had been meaning to 'do something about' for about three years, when I finally chucked them or donated them it felt brilliant.

Shredding was tedious and dne over a period of some weeks but soooo satisfying to finally finish the WHOLE lot! Watching boxes of old files disappear was great.

How have you got on today Southbank, any more small steps taken?

[SlatternismyMiddlename]

Wow, very impressive so far southbank. You have inspired me to get going again.

Last 2 weeks
2 bin bags of clothes to recycle
3 bin bags of kids clothes to attic (keeping for a friend)
1 massive bag of books for charity shop
1 bag of books for school Fayre
1 bag of kids clothes returning to friend who lent me them
Went through cards that I have kept and got rid of about a third
Normal size bag of stuff out of study to bin

Does anybody have any ideas as to what I should do with all my baby blankets - they are all in good condition and have sentimental value, just no more babies

[FadedSapphire]

Ok, can a hopeless case join you? Our house cluttered mess- too much stuff in small terrace. 2 children and a hoarding husband who does bugger all but make more mess.
BUT maybe I have to be a good example; I am not innocent here.
Sounds pathetic but while my youngest at Nursery tomorrow morning I will try and make inroads into the crap in our narrow hallway. A start...
I will report back...

[unebagpipe]

Slattern... Baby blankets... If you can bear to part with them local vets/cat shelters etc. are crying out for blankets!! If not remember that free cycle is your friend!

[southbank]

Yes please anyone who wants to join me in my mission you are officially the only things I will be actively bringing into my house!
Everything else is going!
So not as proactive as I had hoped,got my period and it is really sucking the life out of me,almost to exhaustion.It's on my list of things to sort,I need to get to the doctor to sort out some contraception.
So I cleared out my cleaning cupboard under the sink,threw out all empty bottles,put all sponges,gloves and scourers in a basket tidily.
Cleaned the cupboard and replaced anything I will use,found 3 bottles of disinfectant and 4 bottles of handwash I forgot I had.
By end of week I will
-put all washing away
-clean out pan/crockery cupboard
-take old pairs of glasses to specsavers for charity recycling
-clear windowsill in kitchen and clean

[FadedSapphire]

Well, inroads have been made into crap in hall. Not perfect- but a start.

[educatingarti]

Great progress! Come join our minimalis thread if you like - loads of decluttering encouragement going on there! And other people with twins too!

[chirpchirp]

Hello, I'm doing the same. I have recently compiled chirpchirp's list of doom, going room to room writing down everything that needs to be sorted, recycled, sold, incinerated. Got off to a good start and still motivated. Handful of stuff listed on eBay, 2 bags to cash for clothes, 2 bags of toys to charity shop. Trying to tick off a few things everyday. Going to sort out my wardrobe tomorrow and DH has been inspired to paint the en suit that he has been meaning to do for the past year. Good luck with your check list over the weekend.

[SlatternismyMiddlename]

I don't know what anyone else thinks but I am wondering what is on chirpchirp's list of doom, the possibilities are endless.

I was supposed to take all the bagged up stuff out of my house yesterday, but didn't get a chance so still have them cluttering up the place. I will get rid tomorrow.

I'm going to try and continue today but normal housework also needs doing.

[southbank]

So nothing done since Thursday,but haven't felt great however have been decluttering mad at work,so that counts right?!
I have been reading the minimalist thread on the train to work and taken lots of things on board,particularly around the relief of handing things over for others to benefit from.
Me and dp went out for a rare evening out with friends,dsil babysat and she's pregnant,while I was planning to give her some of our baby stuff it's been hard to let go tbh as we aren't having any more,but I saw her bump last night and something clicked in my head that she really does need the stuff I'm pathetically clinging onto.She has no money and our bags of clothes,sleepsuits etc will make her life easier as it's one less thing to have to buy.
I feel releived and lighter just for realising that,if that makes any sense?
So will make a start on sorting and keeping things with meaning.
Fadedsapphire,the hall is a great place to start as it's the first thing you see when you come in I guess.I know what you mean about not seeing a difference,but at least I know I've done something.
Chirpchirp-your list of doom is very apt for me too!

[chirpchirp]

Well the list started off pretty basic - chuck out tatty old towels, clear under beds, deep clean the bathroom that sort of thing. Then it snowballed and now it includes paint radiators, hire a carpet cleaner and sell half of my belongings!

Got my wardrobe sorted today, another two bags of crap out of my house. This week I also managed to completely empty my washing and ironing baskets so every piece of bedding and clothing is clean, pressed and put away. My main challenge this week is to try and maintain that! Not sure it will become a reality but I live in hope!

[southbank]

This week
-finally cleared out pan/utensil cupboard
-most of the washing put away
-cleared out dd drawer and bagged up clothes that are too small

All kitchen cupboards now sorted and clean
To do this week
-kitchen surfaces to be cleared
-start clearing out my wardrobe,all old unwanted clothes either to charity shop or anything decent kept for eBay

[cantdecideonanewname]

I'll join you, I've kind of started doing something similar recently.

I'm clearing out all my drawers, usually when I do it I clean out the draw and then put everything that I'm keeping back in the draw it came out of which generally means I can never find anything, this time I'm clearing all the draws out and not putting anything back in until I've completed them all then I hope I can put things I'm keeping back in some sort of order.

After the drawers we're bringing everything out of the loft to have a sort out. We've been in current house for a year and I can't think of anything that we're missing so what on earth can be in those boxes is beyond me.

[SlatternismyMiddlename]

I went a bit mad at the weekend and cleared out the under eave cupboard OF DOOM. 2 wheelie bins full, 1 normal and the other recycling. There was quite a bit of mess generated from doing this but it was well worth it. I just need to tidy the mess now.

[chirpchirp]

Dropped off another two bags a cash for clothes this morning, posted Sunday's EBay sales, cleared out bedside table and under our bed (which was disgusting and almost filled an entire carrier bag with dust, hair and god knows what else!), did meal plan for next week and placed order for collection Saturday and put on two loads of washing - I will maintain an empty laundry basket!

If I'd discovered I could be this organised pre DS I seriously think I could have taken over the world!

Hoping tonight I will get some more things listed on eBay and amazon and clear anything that needs ironed from today's washing.

[southbank]

So I haven't posted for a while as I am finishing work next week to be a SAHM for a while,lots of decluttering at work but have made a few more inroads at home.
This week I have
-taken broken washing basket to the dump
-tidied up dc books and puzzles
-3 bags of clothes/rags to charity/recycling
-retidied 2 kitchen cupboards,but this took all of 5 mins as I had previously decluttered!!!yay,result!
-made a huge start on clearing worktops,sooooo much crap on there it is embarrassing
-cleared at least 4 bags of recycling from old papers,receipts etc
-bought a couple of Xmas presents,kids toys for family members that were reduced in sainsburys,trying to buy something every other week so that Xmas won't be as costly this year.


Have treated myself to a cookery book to get some ideas,looking at meal planning better to save money.

[southbank]

Continued this week
-dcs colouring stuff sorted,sharpened all pencils,separated all crayons,pencils,pens,paper etc.threw out all broken crayons,sorted through all their artwork,recycled 99.99999% of it and kept a couple of pics for the wall.
-seperated all playdough, moonsand and all related crap and put into a strong bag,haven't yet fond a home but am working on that!
-continued to sort one side of the kitchen work top,gathered up all loose toys and put on a box to sort when I tackle the living room and their mountain of crap toys
-proper deep clean of downstairs bathroom
-Hoover and mop all downstairs every day this week
-soaked brand new mop in bleach and rescued it,thanks to dm leaving it wet and stinking after 'helping' me clean up.
-another bag of clothes ready to go to recycling today,bag of work clothes ready to take back next week

The plan by end of Sunday
-vax carpet in dining room
-clean bathroom
-Hoover and mop dcs room
-change bedcovers
-clean out fridge and freezer again
-proper list ready for shopping Monday with a proper meal plan,have done ok this week but have gone over my budget a little because I need to buy milk,potatoes and bedmats for dts.list to include different shops,so stuff I know i prefer from Lidl,binliners,caddy liners,wipes etc

[goodmum123]

An idea for baby blankets with sentimental value, make them into cushions for your children's/ child's bedroom x

[southbank]

Achieved so far this week
-cleared deep windowsill in kitchen,cleaned thoroughly
-cleared work surface by window,kitchen looks 95% clear now!
-made a start on hallway cupboard,all dts current shoes into one plastic box,4x pairs old shoes bagged up ready for school recycling bag
-another 4 bags of clothes for recycling ready.
-6 bags of baby stuff ready for sil,baby due soon!

Today I have to
-change beds,dts and mine
-Hoover and mop dts room
-clear out cutlery drawer,get rid of the broken crap etc
-Hoover and mop downstairs
-empty recycling and bins
-all washing away,handwash jumper in washing basket,wash out washing basket
-start clearing more of hallway cupboard
-dp to empty his crap out of car and load up all my bags of clothes recycling ready to get rid tomorrow

[Kiwiinkits]

How's it going Southbank?
You sounded like you were on a roll there?

[SlatternismyMiddlename]

I was on holiday when things got going again on this thread. Judging by the amount of stuff that is currently sitting about I need to get back into decluttering and organising.