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Original poster

Keep on getting rid of one thing a day decluttering challenge!

992 replies

StealthNinjaMum · 13/03/2018 13:23

After a thousand posts our homes are beautiful, decluttered places of harmony and relaxation….. or perhaps not?

We’re still trying to recycle, freecycle, sell our unwanted stuff and most of all clear out our houses, garages and sheds.

It’s easy to get involved, literally get rid of one thing a day and report back for support (and sometimes finger wagging if you’ve ‘accidentally’ bought a load of new clutter!)

Please join us and a warm welcome back to

@SandSnakeofDorne @PenelopeFlintstone @MajestyRoyal @Cupoteap @Gibble1 @SandAndSea @Medwaymumoffour @Rainbowqueen @Namethecat @lljkk @CapricornWithAUnicornHorn @Helsingborg @Panda81 @abitoflight @fannyanddick @AbbieLexie

(Apologies if I missed anyone out)

Original thread here

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Chimichangaz · 19/04/2018 08:04

I've had a good few days, stuff has sold on eBay and gumtree so that's 6 things gone, I took an old netbook and dvd to CEX and got £23 credit (partly spent on a box set of Alien Blu-ray and a Joe Wicks dvd...). Started tidying the garden yesterday, sorting the patio today so will be decluttering loads of leaves... will be starting on wardrobe this weekend. Have to agree this thread is inspiring; although I'm not strictly decluttering every day there's a cumulative effect and a change in attitude.

IHateToCashew · 19/04/2018 10:14

Thanks Sands, I figure there's no point in being negative about it. It's not ideal, but we'll find a way to make the best of it. I just feel like if the house is at least vaguely nice, it'll make everything else worth it.

Going to blitz the bedroom today if DS doesn't take over the bedroom Grin

ememem84 · 19/04/2018 10:48

Haven’t got rid of anything really for a few days.

I have sorted ds’ baby clothes and am going to do a car boot in the next couple of weeks. So they’ve been neatly packed into boxes.

Have returned a few things to Dm. She sends us home with leftovers from Sunday lunch and I keep finding her dishes. I keep thinking I should take my own containers with me but then that’s a bit presumptuous isn’t it?!

CiderwithBuda · 19/04/2018 11:32

Not been doing much as I’ve been in and out a bit and had a hosp apt this morning and am out this afternoon.

I chucked a few things past their use by date from the fridge yesterday. And I’m just about to chuck the lipstick I put on this morning as it does nothing for me!

applesandpears33 · 19/04/2018 12:11

I've been busy over the holidays and haven't chucked much. I have started recording some hoarding shows on TV and watch them while tidying up though. I can't help thinking that at some point most of those people on TV probably had homes just like ours, a bit messy and a bit too cluttered, and then it just got worse and worse. It spurs me on to throw things out and not to purchase quite so many new things.

Clutterfreeintraining · 19/04/2018 13:18

Hi everyone!
Just checking in. I haven’t done a huge amount this week but have cleared some of the out of date food from the cupboard and fridge (trial pack of museli- bb 9/2015 Blush.
Pressure’s on a little bit because my dm is coming to stay tomorrow to look after ds and the fridge needs a thorough sort out/clean and so does my bedroom...nothing like a visitor to motivate me Grin

Original poster
StealthNinjaMum · 19/04/2018 13:40

Another one here who has slowed down a bit. I haven't yet thrown anything away today, Ive been doing ironing and hoovering. applesandpears which hoarding shows are you watching? I'd like to watch some - but I don't know if it would just make me feel better about my own home so I then do nothing. Maybe I need to be watching more aspirational programmes - are there any?

OP posts:
applesandpears33 · 19/04/2018 14:22

I've been recording Hoarding:Buried Alive which is on Home and Health and Hoarders. I haven't watched any of the Hoarders programmes but have watched a few of the Buried Alive ones. They don't make me feel better about my own home, but give me a kick up the bum because I'm afraid our house could end up like that in ten years time if we don't keep it under some form of control.

tutu112 · 19/04/2018 15:08

Feeling so much better now my headache has lifted. Now all caught up from all the usual day to day gubbins that piled up whilst I was laid out. Now going through the first of the gift boxes of doom. I've set aside some earrings that are way too heavy for me, some books, and some perfume. I'll either take to charity shop or box up for the next clothes swap party. This thread is so inspiring. I've also decluttered an expired bottle of vodka. I've decanted it into a spray bottle to use as glass cleaner. And chucked two rusty old baking sheets that fell out of the cupboard yesterday. Gone!

Namajesty · 19/04/2018 17:17

Do weeds count? If so I decluttered a lot today Grin

Im going to speed clean the house as it's got a bit too messy so i will try and find something to throw out along the way

Original poster
StealthNinjaMum · 19/04/2018 17:29

You can clean with vodka? I threw a load away last year. How annoying.

Thanks applesandpears I think I'll give them a watch and appreciate that I was on the slippery slope to be on a TV programme.

I threw away a few bits of paper dc had drawn scribbled on and some Poundland balloons that burst if you blew them up more than 4 inches.Someone is also coming to pick up a cot tonight - I hope!

OP posts:
IHateToCashew · 19/04/2018 17:32

I think weeds count Grin

I demolished a block of cheese. And used up some old pesto. I'm going to try to tackle the storage unit in the living room tonight.

I will be adding to my clutter Blush I realised its summer. And I only own two summer dresses. I was in maternity bits all of last year so didn't buy anything!

ememem84 · 19/04/2018 19:29

cashew me too! I literally have one pair of shorts. Must buy shorts.

Olivo · 19/04/2018 19:50

I'd like to thank the poster who showed photos of their medicine cupboard- I cleared mine today and used plastic boxes to tidy it. Lots thrown away and now easy to find everything! I also cleared 2 box files of 'stuff' and a load of bank statements.

Original poster
StealthNinjaMum · 19/04/2018 20:55

I don't have many clothes that fit me and I have hairy legs so in this weather I only have 2 outfits that fit. I need to lose weight and get my legs waxed.

The good news is I sold a cot! It was in the Room of Doom and at one point had boxes and boxes and files and papers on it and I got rid of them in December / January so it feels like I've got rid of clutter maybe 4 ft wide, 2 ft deep and 5 foot high! A year ago you couldn't see the carpet in the Room of Doom and maybe by the summer I might be able to decorate it but I will obviously procrastinate and not decorate it

OP posts:
ememem84 · 19/04/2018 21:12

I ordered two pairs of shorts.

I’m usually a sports and dresses in the summer person. However ds is almost starting to crawl. So I suspect my summer will be spent crawling about too. So shorts are the non pants flashing option.

ememem84 · 19/04/2018 21:25

*skirts

AdaColeman · 19/04/2018 21:31

I've had a bit of a lull for the last few days.

But today the Ocado delivery man took away a pile of plastic bags, do they count?

So I feel as though I've started again now, and will do better tomorrow!

Namajesty · 19/04/2018 23:21

Stealth that's amazing, a whole room ready and decluttered for the summer!

Emem i have an image in my head of a woman on all fours following a toddler around the garden and shouting to her DH 'can you see my knickers' GrinGrin

Namajesty · 19/04/2018 23:22

Oh oh I forgot. Threw out a pair of sliders because I was too lazy to clean the grass off them

Chimichangaz · 20/04/2018 07:19

I did a lot of gardening yesterday - it hasn't been touched for months and was a complete mess. I swept all the dead leaves off the patio, jet washed the furniture, threw away the dead plants from hanging baskets and pots (Blush), and also threw out some old garden decorations. That was quite a major one for me as I would normally hang on to stuff as 'I've paid for it so I can't bin it'. Such a mindset change. Was absolutely knackered last night but garden starting to look so much better Grin

ememem84 · 20/04/2018 07:56

nama yep...that’s what would happen. Except replace garden with park/beach/public space! Grin

Original poster
StealthNinjaMum · 20/04/2018 07:58

Thanks namajesty I still have a tall bookcase in that room (full of paperwork albeit about a third of what I had), double wardrobe, chest of drawers and a big pile of stuff on the floor but you can see walls and lots of carpet and it is getting there. It is still a lot of work but the end is in sight. If only I could just throw things away it could be cleared really quickly.

Well done chimi sounds like hard work.

Today I have thrown out some baby wipes that I probably used changing nappies 5 years ago. They're dried out but and not really good for anything.

OP posts:
IHateToCashew · 20/04/2018 08:53

I'm glad it's not just me Emen! I'm going to do a big online order, because I can't see DS being happy being dragged around in the heat.

I'm going to do a digital decluttering of the Sky box, we have 9% available space left! I've also spotted a nice looking pile of junk under the bed in the spare room. That should take me up to the point where it's too hot to do much else.

IHateToCashew · 20/04/2018 08:55

And amazing to Stealth and Chimi!

I have loads of wooden planters from our wedding, I feel inspired to actually use them now. Or chuck them if they haven't rotted away!