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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Anyone want to join me for a school holiday decluttering thread?

227 replies

NickNacks · 21/07/2016 20:30

Slowly but surely our little house has developed a problem. She's run out of space!

Added to the problem that we are all a bit crap about putting things away after we are finished with them and I am a childminder, something has got to give and some serious getting rid has to happen.

I have a fairly quiet school holidays approaching so plan to sort it out in time for a stress free start to the school year.

Would anyone like to join me?

OP posts:
wecantallbeperfect · 21/07/2016 20:35

I would, we have downsized but not got rid of enough stuff to make it work. There is stuff all over the house and garage in the completely wrong places. DH also inherited a lot of furniture we he doesn't seem to want to part with - even though it's entirely inappropriate for our house. I intend to sort out the cupboards in the kitchen tomorrow Grin

Original poster
NickNacks · 21/07/2016 20:46

That's great, welcome! I mean not great that you have a cluttered house to but I'm glad of the company.

I think I will start in the kitchen too. Shouldn't take too long, I only have 3 double base units a one single top cupboard 😂

OP posts:
wecantallbeperfect · 21/07/2016 21:27

Right, feeling motivated GrinI will update tomorrow.

Equimum · 21/07/2016 22:01

Can I join you please? My eldest is doing a full day at nursery each week over the summer holiday. I will still have the baby with me, but I am thinking that nap times will be an excellent opportunity for decluttering.

DH, a baby, a three year old and I live in a two-bed house with just a bit too much stuff. We have also recently emptied the lifts at both our parents' houses, resulting in a huge pile of boxes in the bedroom.

Right, tomorrow I am going to sort the bottom kitchen cupboards.

LadyMumble · 21/07/2016 22:20

Please may I join?

I have just thrown away half of the contents of the bathroom cabinet and removed one of its shelves; I can now fit all of the more everyday lotions, razors and other detritus that has been cluttering up the windowsill into the cabinet out of sight. The bathroom already looks so much better and I haven't even cleaned up the bath toys that were thrown around in there earlier.

I'm hoping this thread will inspire me and help me maintain momentum to get this house organised.

anotherday135 · 21/07/2016 22:28

Can I join, started today by clearing dd2 pj draw so the too small ones are out and the rest actually fit in. Just the rest of the house to do ......

IamAporcupine · 21/07/2016 22:36

can I join too?
no idea what I'll do first, house is a tip, with boxes and stuff everywhere Sad
where should I start?

Original poster
NickNacks · 22/07/2016 08:05

Good morning!

You are all more than welcome to join us Smile

iam why don't you start with kitchen cupboards with us?

I'm just off quickly to a doctor's appointment and then im going to get cracking. Will post properly with a listbwhen i get back.

Smile
OP posts:
wecantallbeperfect · 22/07/2016 08:37

Well, I'm up and on with kitchen cupboards. I've already thrown out the out of date packets Blush and cleaned the shelves. Feeling motivated Wink

LadyMumble · 22/07/2016 09:16

I've got a workman in the kitchen this morning so can't get on just yet. I've taken inspiration from anotherday instead and cleaned out some of ds's old clothes. Haven't had a chance to finish yet as its a bit chaotic here with the workman. He is making everywhere very dusty as he's taking some plaster down, I know it'll be better once he's finished, but right now I feel he is thwarting my efforts!

Floggingmolly · 22/07/2016 09:20

I'm attempting to declutter bed linen. It's currently occupying an entire (large) chest of drawers in our bedroom, which Is in itself too fecking big for the room and needs to go.
How many sets per bed do you need, do you reckon?

Brighteyes27 · 22/07/2016 09:24

Can I join please? I need to declutter the whole house but I must start on wardrobes, clothes in suitcases and vacuum packed bags first. Most are too short/small/disliked and some hardly worn so much loved. I was thinking of sorting into piles. But only got as far as the Thinking stage so far.
Charity definitely
Recycling definitely
eBay to try and make some cash
Giving away some
And a pile to try on as holiday clothes and unsure if still fit.
But not started yet as its a mammoth task so need to psyche myself up and also probably reduce the number of piles as it could get messy quickly. Any tips to get me up and running?

wecantallbeperfect · 22/07/2016 11:23

I've finished the kitchen cupboards and taken two bags of clothes to the charity shop, I need a sit down now Confused

wecantallbeperfect · 22/07/2016 11:28

Sorry posted too soon brighteyes I too have a mammoth pile of clothes that are in vacuum bags and suitcases (I feel ashamed about this Blush) I think the best way going forward is to do a bag or two per day. If you try to do too much at once the room becomes a mess and you can't see the wood for the trees! Then take the clothes you aren't keeping immediately to the charity or wherever. If putting on eBay do it there and then with the eBay app then hang clothes up in single place until sold Smile

SnugglySnerd · 22/07/2016 11:34

Can I join please? I'm a teacher so have the hols off but with a toddler so progress might be slow but I need to do some decluttering, tidying and cleaning and I think this thread will motivate me.

Original poster
NickNacks · 22/07/2016 11:43

Today's list

One load of washing (I'm going to try and do one load every day to keep on top of it, my biggest problem is putting it all away again!)
Declutter the kitchen cupboards
General tidy downstairs ✔️
Doctor's appointment ✔️
Try on dress and shoes for wedding ✔️
Clean kitchen floor
Meal plan
Iron DD's hama beads
One bag of clutter from the playroom

As i think i said in the OP, I'm a childminder and i also have three children of my own. I don't work on a Friday so this is my main day to get stuff done. Next friday i am going to Ikea to buy new storage for the dining room/playroom (kallax) to make it a bit more homely when i'm not working. I currently have trofast and now our youngest is 6, i feel it's time to move on a bit.

How is everyone else getting on?

OP posts:
SnugglySnerd · 22/07/2016 12:25

I've made a good start. I've cleared all the junk off the top of the fridge. Cleaned the kitchen, vacuumed downstairs and filed/recycled/shredded all the post.

Foxsox · 22/07/2016 12:29

Ooooh I'll join if that's ok?
I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of clutter
I'm going to start with my kitchen too
It's going to have to happen at nap time!!!

building2016 · 22/07/2016 13:12

Yes please! I've done a load of baby clothing these already this week (my children are 9&11, don't ask) and have been through the dressing up.

I have big decluttering and cleaning plans for the holidays. Hurrah!

Brighteyes27 · 22/07/2016 15:59

Disappointed with myself today. Did two loads of washing, tidied the kitchen and walked the dog all before 10am Halo Halo. Then met friends for a coffee whilst 11 and 12 year old went Pokemon hunting and eyeing up yet more new trainers hair accessories and shorts I told them it was window shopping only. Then made the big mistake of trying to look for school trousers...with enenthusiastic kids in a v hot M&S store where all staff were either wail or on a till point Angry Angry my local store seems to cater for fat and small children only tall kids are not catered for so if your very tall 11 1/2 year old is too tall for age 15-16 forget it, or pay double with womens trousers which just about finished me off. Went home ordered long online to try those. Wasted time on the Internet and not done much else since and away for the weekend tomorrow so will start in earnest next week.

Original poster
NickNacks · 22/07/2016 19:01

Don't be disappointed brighteyes , there's plenty of time. Have a lovely weekend away.

building well done on the baby clothes, i find mementos from the childrens babyhood the hardest to deal with.

How did you get on in the kitchen foxsox?

I've finally finished the kitchen, it dies look lovely. Cleared the windowsills, top of microwave and behind the kilner jars, all areas of clutter. The cupboads have been sirted and wiped and DH's junk drawer thinned out.

Tomorrow- sitting room!!

OP posts:
lljkk · 22/07/2016 19:04

I'm a bit crap, but checking in. I would love to achieve something this summer.

SweetGrapes · 22/07/2016 19:11

Can I join please? We are in the middle of building work - so not the tidiest to start with. But now the whole house is a tip. I really need some motivation (a kick up the backside really)!

applesandpears33 · 22/07/2016 19:12

Can I join? I am in Scotland so we broke up three weeks ago, but our house is small and cluttered and I need to get rid of stuff. I never seem to find the time though. For the last few months I have tried to get rid of something different each week. I don't see a huge difference yet though and need to step it up!

Birdlet · 22/07/2016 19:27

Id like to join in too please!! De cluttering in anticipation of baby no 1's arrival in Feb 2017 Grin just lacking some motivation!!

We just never seem to get rid of anything Hmm

Started this week. Still contending with nausea and tiredness so taking it steady.
2 bin bags full of rubbish from the bedroom in the bin. 5 bag for life's full of books - had wanted to try to sell on (50p per book or something similar) but think they'll just go straight to the charity shop!

The main thing that needs doing is the spare room (baby's nursery) - it's currently full of crap. Was using part of it as a dressing table area for me but have moved it all into our bedroom now. Spare room also has built in wardrobes full of our clothes and my wedding dress. Would like to tackle it and have it completely ready to be turned into the nursery by the end of August. Other parts of house need doing too but spare room is definitely the priority!