Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I can't fucking make my flat look clean and tidy. What can I do?

146 replies

FukZake · 30/09/2023 22:04

We live in a small flat, just over 500 square feet. My mum died and I had to collect a load more of my things from their house, plus some of her own precious things that she left to me.

I'm sitting here trying not to cry because we have so much STUFF for the size of our flat and it doesn't work. There's nowhere to store things, to tidy them away, so now there is dust as well.

We have one large built in wardrobe for 2 of us, and 2 chests of drawers and that's it - our clothes are piled up on top of the chests and then we try to put non seasonal things in plastic storage tubs up high on top of the wardrobe.

I can never find the right thing I want to wear and have nowhere to even try putting out my cosmetics etc. I'm so fucking sick of how tiny the flat is but apart from size it is really nice and perfect location.

I clean the bathroom and kitchen of course so it is always sanitary but I've just had another go as we have someone coming over tomorrow and the bathroom and kitchen just look like shit because again there's too much stuff everywhere.

Is it just pointless to try to have a really clean flat as long as we have too much stuff for the size of the place?

I fucking hate the dust it is disgusting, I just feel really upset by it all today.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Ohthatsabitshit · 30/09/2023 22:05

Storage is the answer.

RandomMess · 30/09/2023 22:05

Sadly you need to reduce the stuff.

You could put some in storage but it's so costly it's cheaper to replace.

DailyMailHater · 30/09/2023 22:06

It seems you know the issue is too much stuff. Can you have a very ruthless clear out.

ColonelRhubarbBikini · 30/09/2023 22:06

Could you maybe rent a storage unit for a while so you can actually see the wood for the trees and get everything clean? I know they’re an expense but it might be worthwhile. You can then decide what to keep and what to pass on or donate or even just keep it in the storage unit indefinitely if a lot of stuff holds sentimental value.

Eyesopenwideawake · 30/09/2023 22:06

The only answer is to get rid of all the stuff you don't need/use. Sell it, donate it, dump it or if you really can't let it go yet rent a small storage unit.

KateyCuckoo · 30/09/2023 22:07

Hire a skip and have a big declutter.

Original poster
FukZake · 30/09/2023 22:08

I don't think we actually have much stuff we don't use though.

I mean I have a lot of coats which take up space, for example, but I do use them? And don't want to get rid of those? I wear them all depending on the season.

OP posts:
scrantonelectriccity · 30/09/2023 22:08

I can relate, I live in a 1 bed flat with two children. The answer is to get rid of your stuff. I had a huge declutter, I don't miss any of it. Also have a capsule wardrobe, got rid of loads of clothes

Merryoldgoat · 30/09/2023 22:08

I don’t want to state the obvious, but you need to get rid of a load of stuff.

I struggle with it too but it’s the only option - you sound like you have too much of everything.

Redwinestillfine · 30/09/2023 22:09

Binge watch Marie London or Stacy Dooley to get in the mood, then gear yourself up and be ruthless.

Redwinestillfine · 30/09/2023 22:10

Marie Kondo clearly 😂 (stupid auto correct!)

KateyCuckoo · 30/09/2023 22:11

FukZake · 30/09/2023 22:08

I don't think we actually have much stuff we don't use though.

I mean I have a lot of coats which take up space, for example, but I do use them? And don't want to get rid of those? I wear them all depending on the season.

Do you want lots of coats and a messy flat, or do you want 2/3 coats and a tidy flat? Times that by every item you own.

KateyCuckoo · 30/09/2023 22:11

Redwinestillfine · 30/09/2023 22:10

Marie Kondo clearly 😂 (stupid auto correct!)

And Stacey Solomon!

StopProcrastinatingGerald · 30/09/2023 22:13

Rock the Housework with Gemma Bray

maddening · 30/09/2023 22:13

Who lives in your mum's old house? If this is a relative would they let you store some stuff in the loft?

You either have to increase the space.either by renting or using storage spaces or moving house or by reducing the amount of stuff.

SausageAndEggSandwich · 30/09/2023 22:15

Declutter. This is No.1 really. A room at time, be ruthless.

More built in storage - you say you have built in wardrobes but then boxes on top? You need wardrobes to the ceiling. Then you can get a shelf above the hanging rail to put the boxes on.

Ottoman beds - you can get a surprising amount in them. Those zippable Skubb boxes from IKEA are great.

Original poster
FukZake · 30/09/2023 22:15

Who lives in your mum's old house? If this is a relative would they let you store some stuff in the loft?

Her husband and no he wouldn't and I suspect this is part of why I'm so upset. It's not just about my stuff, there is a long history of things that have been very hurtful and I'm just really sad today about everything Sad

Have given up and having a glass of wine for now.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 30/09/2023 22:16

Put some of the coats in vaccum storage bags and stash them under your bed.

You can't make the flat any bigger so you need to find clever storage solutions or get rid of some stuff.

Original poster
FukZake · 30/09/2023 22:16

More built in storage - you say you have built in wardrobes but then boxes on top? You need wardrobes to the ceiling. Then you can get a shelf above the hanging rail to put the boxes on.

Yes, that is what we have at the moment.

OP posts:
Mosaic123 · 30/09/2023 22:17

Do you have a car? You can put some bags inside the boot when the guests come? Just for those few hours.

Someone told me to take photos when I was clearing my parents' house. I don't have the things anymore but I do have the photos and look at them occasionally.

NeedTheSeaside · 30/09/2023 22:19

@FukZake

you need to declutter, it's the only way.

you can't tidy/organise when you have too much stuff for the size of your flat.

Dana K White

podcasts/you tube/audio books.

As @KateyCuckoo said, do you want a tidy/clean/comfortable flat only keeping fewer things, or do you want to keep everything and be fed up of the mess?

do daily jobs daily & then declutter. Do dishes daily!

watch her you tube videos. Start with 'containers'.

Declutter at the speed of life is a good place to start if choosing audio books (or real ones).

you cannot organise your way out of too much stuff.

cuddlebear · 30/09/2023 22:20

I live in a similar size house and I am not sure PP appreciate how tiny it is.

I am very minimalist. I don’t keep books once read, everything is thrown away if not used regularly. However, there is just one of me. There is no way I could share such a small place with another adult long term.

Either you throw out loads of stuff as others have advised, or you move somewhere bigger. I would move as aside from my DC, there’s nobody else I could live with sharing such a small space. 💐

Breakingpoint1961 · 30/09/2023 22:21

Aww bless you OP..you're going through lots of emotions when you're grieving, so the 'clutter' seems probably overwhelming at the moment.

Firstly be kind to yourself (enjoy the wineSmile) could you use vacuum bags for seasonal stuff? I do think though that it's about getting rid of things, I think we all hang on to things, it's just that some of us have more space (I don't btw) so don't notice it.

When you're feeling sad, take a break from the flat, it'll get done at some point..

sipsqueak · 30/09/2023 22:21

@Mosaic123 I'm glad I'm not the only one who stores shit in their car boot 😅

OP as others have said it's time for a big clear out and to let go of some things. You mind that the fewer things you have, the more you appreciate them. And the feeling of an organised, uncluttered home is priceless.

Also - check out vacuum pack storage!

declutteringmymind · 30/09/2023 22:23

It must be difficult. With regards to some of your childhood things, could you just stack some nice boxes floor to ceiling, packed really well.

Can you vacuum pack clothes?

YY to minimalism. Get down to 2 towels each, 2 sets of bedspreads, 4 pens, 2 charging leads, just fewer of everything.