My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Housekeeping

Anybody want to join me in a mega, whole house declutter?

551 replies

LilllyLovesLife · 04/03/2014 10:03

I am desperate to have a clean and tidy home. It's always ruined my life and I always feel very lonely, partly because I can never have anybody over without a week or so notice to clean up! I am fed up of being like this and want to make a change for good. I know that the biggest step is to declutter, as it will make it so much easier to keep tidy.

I have delcuttered lots of times before, and I then end up filling it up again! I don't want to do this again! I want this to be the last time!!

Anybody up for joining me?

I have already done my girls room (They share a small double and it was always so full that they couldn't ever have space to play in it!). It is so much easier now, I finished it about a week ago but have actually kept it tidy!

I am now moving onto my Son's room. It's a TEENY box room with just a cotbed and one chest of drawers in, no spare space and I have an extra baby to fit in their soon as we are expecting again. Baby will sleep in our room for as long as possible but no idea where the baby's clothes etc will go! So iv culled his clothes and now have 2 spare drawers, and got an under bed drawer now which I can use although not really space to pull it out!

Anyway, would anybody like to join me in my mission? We could support each other and keep each other going? I have also strarted looking into flylady and hope to use some bits from there, but not follow it fully as I like to do my own thing a bit.

OP posts:
Report
harrietspy · 04/03/2014 10:06

Have you looked at the minimalist threads on Good Housekeeping? Despite the name lots of people on the thread are trying to declutter rather than get rid of everything and become minimalists. Good luck!

Report
LilllyLovesLife · 04/03/2014 11:11

thank you - I will have to have a look :-)

got a bit distracted this morning giving the kitchen a good clean but it needs to be done! And the kitchen cupboards need decluttering once I have finished the other bits!

but overwhelming at times!

OP posts:
Report
harrietspy · 04/03/2014 12:39

Also look at "unfuck my habitat" online and the thread on MN. V good for pacing (eg 20 mins on a particular task and ten mins break). There's a lovely UFMH app that gives you particular tasks, too. Good at limiting the overwhelm!

Report
LilllyLovesLife · 05/03/2014 20:22

thank you. I will have a look. x

OP posts:
Report
Logg1e · 05/03/2014 21:46

Whereabouts in the country are you OP? I have a guilty secret in as much as I would love to literally join somebody in decluttering and cleaning their home.

Is that really sad?

Report
LilllyLovesLife · 06/03/2014 09:39

lol. I'm in West London Smile Smile

OP posts:
Report
Logg1e · 06/03/2014 09:48

Oh, too far for me Sad

Report
Mrswellyboot · 06/03/2014 09:51

Op I did this last summer and I can tell you, it will change your life. Don't keep too much. I even reduced number of towels etc to make room. I have tonnes of books (teacher) and photocopied my favourite pages and donated them to school.

Get rid, get rid, get rid. Flowers

Report
SapSuma · 06/03/2014 09:53

Am thinking I might join you! Really want to clear some space. Small house but we don't want to move so only option really is to clear some space inside to make it bigger. Have sorted my dd's room this week and selling some of her clothes this morning. Am going to sort through my own wardrobe later today -you can check i did it if you like? What about you, what will you achieve by later today? will come back and check Smile.
I'm in north cotswolds loggle if you're interestedWink

Report
Spychic · 07/03/2014 11:20

I'll join you! For me this round of decluttering will be babyproof flavoured Smile

Over the next few days I will

... collect and store all those stupidly tiny toddler toys so newly crawling ds2 doesn't choke (DS1 has promised to help with this)
... Get rid of extraneous cords and cables or cover them in some way
...Declutter the kitchen so dangerous items don't end up within reach of ds1
... tidy the back porch, get rid of all the broken or filthy toys that have migrated out there, babyproof the steps and the steep drop

Am in a different country and only mn when breastfeeding so my checkins might be at weird times.

What's on your list to do?

Report
LilllyLovesLife · 07/03/2014 11:56

Sorry Ladies! Didn't think anybody was joining me so wasn't checking back as often! I Will be more regular now I promise!

Over the past couple of days I have gone through about half of my kitchen cupboards (will eventually do all but just don't want to do all at once and end up in a massive mess and not having time to actually complete it! I have 2 large bags of kitchen stuff to list for sale tonight (cereal containers, loads of kids plates/cups etc, Utensils etc) which I will list really cheap in hope they will go quickly!

I am planning to label all the shelves so that when others use my cupboards, they can see where things should go - no excuse for them to end up a mess then! Labels will go inside the cupboards so nobody will see them unless they are actually using the cupboards! The cupboards/drawers that I have done so far I have thoughly cleaned out and decluttered and now actually have empty spaces! Have even managed to house my slow cooker, sandwich toaster and actifry inside the cupboards now so the surface space is much more clear!

I am doing the NCT nearly new sale in 2 weeks and feel very unorganised for this - have to have everything labelled up and packed in suitcases in advance. I am doing this in my evenings though so hopefully I will get there!

Have a very busy weekend and will be out for most of it, So won't get much done at the weekend. But we shouldn't be messing it up either as we won't be here!

Today I am mainly tidying and cleaning rather than decluttering. As iv spent the rest of the week decluttering etc the rest of the house has fallen behind and I looked at it this morning and decided it looked like we had been burgled! So having a catch up day, doing general tidying and cleaning. But will keep an eye out for things to get rid of as I go! I seem to be in a real ruthless frame of mind at the moment so want to make the most of it! Smile

How have you ladies got on since? Thanks for joining me, I really hoped somebody would! Grin

OP posts:
Report
LilllyLovesLife · 07/03/2014 14:26

Just listed another 2 bin bags of stuff for sale! So fairly productive day! Especially as some has already sold (subject to collection!)

OP posts:
Report
SapSuma · 07/03/2014 17:39

Well done lilly! Yesterday i put two carrier bags of broken toys in the bin and sent two bags to the charity shop too. Its rally only kust cleared one corner -but it still feels great Grin
Today Ive been mostly shopping and cooking...
I did clear out the fridge though!
Next on my list: an area of tue bedroom, yet to be decided!

Report
Mrswellyboot · 07/03/2014 17:43

I cleared two big bags for life today. Some brand new trousers, dressing gownsm scarves, tops etc. Went to a charity shop for suicide prevention and hopefully someone in need will benefit from them. They are nice smart work trousers.

Report
Pannalash · 07/03/2014 23:22

Ooooooh Logg1e anywhere near North Yorkshire lol? :)

Report
Spychic · 08/03/2014 01:52

This morning I went through the house ruthlessly chucking broken toys. have freecycled some and am storing non baby safe toys in the garage. I think I could still get rid of quite a few...

Have also freecycled a bag of baby clothes.

Sounds like you are getting on well Lillly - yy to labeling kitchen cupboards- I did this a few months ago and it's been a huge success! I used a label maker, but may I suggest you just get any old labels up there, painters tape and marker so the job just as well - you can replace with pretty ones later. I find that focusing on function first, appearance later helps me cut through procrastination... Not that it sounds like you are struggling there, you're being ruthless from the sound of it Smile

Report
CheerfulYank · 08/03/2014 02:24

Yes! I'm with you!

Enough is enough.

Report
warmleatherette · 08/03/2014 05:46

Yes! I want to join! Have just had my kitchen done and have decided that anything that hasn't made its way back in there by now is clearly unnecessary. We live in a small-ish 2-bed flat (me and 2 DC) and will be here for at least another five years. I have a shed full of crap and a cupboard full of crap and the kids' bedroom is overflowing with toys and IT MUST END!

Report
slowlygettingthere · 08/03/2014 09:42

lurk

Report
LilllyLovesLife · 10/03/2014 09:52

right ladies! what's the plan for today? Iv got plenty of general housework to catch up on after being out all weekend. first wash load already washed and I'm about to hang outside while DS has his nap. then going to have a quick clean and tidy in the kitchen and living room so we don't get behind and then start decluttering!

going to do the car first, which isn't bad as I did it not long ago but can see it slowly filling up again so going to empty and hoover it while DS is awake as he can hopefully play in the car and then it won't take up his precious nap time!

I also want to declutter at least one more kitchen cupboard. first of all? The worst one which is the medicines etc at the top and the baby stuff (snacks/bottles etc) at the bottom) everything is so shoved in, goodness knows what junk it is hoarding! so it should be time consuming but rewarding! Grin
if I get time I will do more of the kitchen, it's not far off being finished TBH. have a few more cupboards but they are the easier ones left really.

tonight I want to list some more stuff for sale and label my items for the NCT sale which I'm not looking forward to doing as it will make a mess! but hopefully will sell lots.

OP posts:
Report
NightCircus · 10/03/2014 09:56

I need to do this...moving house so perfect time

Report
Spychic · 10/03/2014 10:11

Passed on some baby clothes and a mobile to a friend today. Packed the jolly jumper away in the garage. Tomorrow will do some more tidying and general decluttering.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

JetcatisBack · 10/03/2014 10:16

If anyone is near the North East, I would also love some help to declutter - desperately!

In the meantime, I'll join you OP, though am at the mercy of my depression so may only manage very small steps...

It sounds like you've made a good start OP - well done Smile

Report
SugarMiceInTheRain · 10/03/2014 10:21

I want to join you in a big declutter but am finding it difficult with a 3.5 week old baby. I really need a friend to help keep me on track and get me to throw out stuff we don't need. The only rooms in our house which are organised are the baby's room and the bathroom. Logg1e any chance you live in the Midlands?

Report
MoreBeta · 10/03/2014 10:31

Since moving house last year and downsizing a bit we have thrown away I would say 2 large builders skips of household clutter and maybe given away another 1 skip worth. I think we have about another skip to go.

It is amazing how it just builds up. You really really do have to be utterly ruthless. We have an objective end point that every single item will have a proper place to reside in our house and every single cupboard and drawer will not be so crammed that it has to be unpacked.

The rule is that if it isn't used, it has to go and if it hasn't got a place to be stored it has to have that place created. We have had some fitted furniture added to childrens' bedrooms to help make that happen.

This is our retirement home but has two teenagers in it so it really has to work for us.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.