Part 7 of the decluttering challenge - can you get rid of one item a day?

[StealthNinjaMum]

Back again!

A group of mumsnetters have been emptying our homes, gradually decluttering our homes by getting rid of one item a day.

We’re very green and like to recycle, sell, give away and sometimes eat our clutter I’m still alive after the 8 year old gherkins.

Newbies are welcome to join us. We just get rid one thing and come back to update everyone on our progress, get support when it gets hard, and suggest new household systems and ways of doing things.

The most exciting thread on mumsnet. In this thread @SandandSea will tell us what she’s going to do with her big plastic sheet…..

Previous thread is here

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3463110-New-home-for-the-new-year-still-getting-rid-of-one-item-a-day-part-6?pg=40

It was a lunchtime date and he was lovely but I didn't fancy him. I might see him again to see if something could develop although I don't think it will.

Glad I'm not the only one stealth & raspberry! Just saw something in a shop the other day that would be perfect for some good friends and thought it would be a good start! Also will be terribly poor by Christmas so need to start shopping now haha.

No outs today, haven't spent any time at home to do it!

Willow that's some darn good work, particularly as the steam came at 8.30pm!! I'm usually ready for bed by then 😂

Stealth, I came on here in the hope that you would update about the date!
Shame you didn’t fancy him but, you know what? You’re out there! You took a big step. Well done!
And I have decluttered a letter to the mail and 2 cheques into the bank. Tried to go and pay a deposit cheque but no joy as they were shut 😬

As well as general decluttering I am trying to use up my huge selection of lotions and potions and only buy replacements for things I run out of. As part of that I today junked a bottle of eau de cologne that I bought when pregnant with DS and never used. He will be 18 this year. . That bottle has been in four countries. We paid to move it to four countries. Madness!

In more sensible decluttering I started the airing cupboard. Have two duvets to go. I am going to be ruthless with bedding and towels tomorrow. Also got rid of some cushion covers for a weird shaped seat cushion.

Also read a magazine and put it straight into the recycling. I tend the hang on to magazines for far too long.

Yesterday:
Underwear, as more holes than cloth. My clothes survive for longer than they should, as I absent mindedly put them back in the laundry basket when I’m tired. And then wear them again, as I’ve washed them and it would be silly to waste that...
DDog chose a cowboy Christmas hat (from the “charity shop or bin?” Dithering pile in the spare room) as his item.

Today, I’ve got several jars of jam for my colleagues. It’s nice, but we eat it a lot slower than my mother makes it!

Having quite a successful day here as (whispers) DS had a 90 minute nap! I have been through the top 2 drawers in the unit I mentioned yesterday. Diary from 2015 and dried up pens have gone. Chunky birthday book with slots to put the cards in into the charity pile. I love the idea, and it came from my late Nan so I feel a bit torn, but know will never be that organised. I do have a much smaller book for birthdays which I am going to attempt to use. I’ve also pulled a few outgrown things from both of the DCs’ wardrobes plus a big pile of random paper from various locations around the house.

Glad the date was pleasant even if there was no spark Stealth.

MrsElf I am just the same with clothes, I noticed one of my shirts had a couple of small holes when I was ironing it yesterday but hung it back in the wardrobe this morning anyway. I don’t enjoy clothes shopping so don’t really want to get rid of anything!

I have cleared the cutlery drawer, how many medicine spoons do we really need? Not over 3 and we had about 12.

Have got my top drawer to sort out in the bedroom so might do that later, and bring the books down from dds bedroom.

Not much going out here at the moment.
More wax drips melted away and candlesticks cleaned.
Another item posted for sale.
That's about it.

I tried to pair up my laundered pillow cases and they're all odd! I don't know how this has happened since I sorted it all last year, but I'm definitely blaming dp. (He has proven skills in this area.)

Not much today - a glass bowl to the charity shop and two bottles of salad dressing BBE 2016 emptied and washed.

Bought new towels though as DH has commented that some of ours are past their best. Will be getting rid of the tatty ones as part of airing cupboard sort out.

Well done, Peridot1. I know animal charities are often pleased to get old towels.

My last post somehow motivated me to do a bit more so, I've been through a couple of drawers. I found a load of receipts and loose change and various other bits and bobs which I'm now sorting through. I've also decided to get rid of 2 bulky, hair removal gadgets (with attachments, boxes etc). And, possibly a necklace, though I'm still thinking about it.

I was on this thread before I went on mat leave and fell off! DS is now almost 6 months, and the decluttering continues (only way to deal with the constant arrival of more baby stuff!) I Marie Kondo'd my clothes and got rid of two large shopping bags' worth (charity/ rags). I don't even like buying clothes! I've also got rid of five (WTF, I know...) corkscrews and tin openers!

Does anyone have any suggestions about what to do with unwanted clothes hangers? Charity shops don't seem to want them...

Thanks. gibble and raspberry blonde he was a lovely man and it feels nice to have had a date after a 20 year gap.

raspberry blonde I get those annoying holes near the waist of tops, put them on and think 'oh I must throw donate this to the charity shop as scrap' and then I wash them, put them away and forget they're scrap until the next time I'm wearing them.

Welcome back nckitten. Do you have a local Facebook site where you can advertise them for free or free cycle? I often see clothes hangers advertised.

I think I have finished decluttering my clothes. I have tried everything on. I have lost so much weight I fit into everything. Some clothes that are too big and the ones I like have been put in a box.

The others are now in plastic bags waiting to be put in the car. I no longer have a big pile of clothes in my bedroom. It had only been there a month!

I haven't really decluttered today other than sorting out the post and putting stbexh's stuff into a bag.

I'm so glad you had a nice date, Stealth. Onwards and upwards!

Glad to hear of a nice date, Stealth. A lovely boost, I hope.

Is the Magimix one of those that has to sit out on the counter top unless you happen to have a big empty cupboard to house it? In which case, returning it is definitely a good call, Willow.

I mostly seem to be re-cluttering: I seem to have bought quite a few new clothes. I don't really need them, and I'm a fool.

Still going on the airing cupboard. I have a short attention span so do a bit and then stop. Anyway - a pile of old and tatty bedding ready to go for fabric recycling. Old towels I will offer to my friend who walks dogs. If she doesn’t want them I’ll drop them at a local animal sanctuary.

Main thing is to make sure they go this week.

DH is adding some shelves to the cupboard which will help keep it organised.

Also have an old video camera which I will see if our local Cex will buy. Just to get rid. Have a few other random bits on the dining table that I want to get rid of tomorrow.

Last night, I opened one of my boxes. I was full of good intentions (having forgotten what I am dealing with). But, omg! It was worse than I remembered. The box is full of
all sorts of long-forgotten, sentimental items (clutter) which I somehow feel I need and must organise. I closed the box again.

So today, I'm back in the kitchen. I've got rid of just one thing so far (a washing ball). I'm also halfway through cleaning out a cupboard in which I'm going to try to fit my juicer. Having cleared one side of the kitchen, I'm now working on clearing the other.

Job done! The cupboard is clean and organised. The kitchen counter now has another big, clear area and I've got a large, blender thing to re-home.

Brexit is interfering with my decluttering. The only thing I can claim to have decluttered in the past couple of days is the wine rack

Emptied both wax burners tonight and put new melts in them. That used up a packet of melty things.
Collected up the recycling and rubbish from upstairs and put it out for tomorrow.
Need to collapse the vax box and want to vax the dining room carpet again several times tomorrow. I would dearly love to get to clean water coming out of the carpet. I wonder if that is doable?

Oubliette - I hear you. We had no wine in the house yesterday although we were expecting a delivery. DH checked and said it was coming today but there are a couple of cases in the garage. I went to get it. Brought back a case. DH asked why I didnt just bring a bottle. I replied depending on how frustrated I would get with the proceedings it might well be a night for a full case! (I got so confused and frustrated we switched over and watched an episode of Endeavour- which is also decluttering in a way as we need to watch them all by end of the month!)

Just gave my friend some old towels and promised her some more plus any of the old blankets I am getting rid of. She walks and boards dogs.

Cleaned out the veg drawer in the fridge this morning so decluttered a soggy cucumber and two liquid bags of salad. (not envy)

peridot I did that with a bag of carrots the other day, hate clearing out the fridge!

Today DD is at nursery, I haven't decluttered anything but I have been busy. My stocked up cupboard is organised and the biscuits have a new home in the baking cupboard. Neatly arranged in their new box.
Also spent the best part of 2 hours this morning masking off the tiny windows on the living room door and starting to sand it. (It's a really dark varnish from the previous owners and I want it white gloss). Apparently I do DIY now.

Oh no wait! I have decluttered something! Two small pairs of tights, a vest and t-shirt of DDs. Forgot about those cheeky chaps.

I'm jealous of the wine consumption on here 😂 I'll have to join you in june, by which point Brexit will have happened however wine may be ££££ per bottle! maybe I should stock up now?!