Decluttering one thing a day part 8 - the one where we de-tetris the cupboard of doom!

[WoogleCone]

Welcome! This is thread 8 of the declutter one thing a day challenge!

This is just holding the discussion open until @stealthninjamum gets her computer sorted and back in action :)

Everyone is welcome here, new and old. We implore you to join us on our mission to clear the cupboards, swipe the sides and declutter all debris!
We recycle, reuse, give away, donate or just plain chuck it out to help clear our spaces.

If you're new, start with a small mission - can you tackle one small area at a time? Be it a bedside table, a bathroom cabinet or The Kitchen Drawer?
Just one thing a day is all we ask and report back here with your outs for the day, or week at a time. It's very easy to get the bug when you start small and have success!

Will we find any more big bags of change? Can we sell more big ticket items? Will the school books all get returned? Will the happy meal toys ever stop multiplying and just how many books can we say goodbye to?!

Previous thread here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3525812-Part-7-of-the-decluttering-challenge-can-you-get-rid-of-one-item-a-day?msgid=87790915#87790915

@IWillWearTheGreenWillow that sounds like a very productive day! Well done.

I’ve not had a very productive day, it’s too hot and this house is a sauna. I have a carrier bag of unopened toiletries to go to the charity shop, and also a bag of clothes too. I’ve managed to clear the wardrobe out for little mans clothes though :)
I also made rice pudding in the slow cooker, it’s delicious!

I had a plumbing emergency all last week, and had to move stuff out of the bathroom to let the plumbers get in to fix the bath/shower drain. Now going through the baskets from the little three-shelf unit on wheels that I keep "stuff" in, having already got rid of old shampoos and conditioners with an inch left at the bottom that nobody has used for a few weeks.

Two T-shirts and an old sleeping bag are on their way out to the charity shop, and I got rid of an old mattress topper that got a few holes in it when I tried to wash it before the plumbing problems happened.

Not as productive a day as I’d hoped because I managed to almost slice the end of my finger off today and it took ages to stop the bleeding and then I couldn’t get my finger wet... this meant that all my usual cooking chores etc took a lot longer! I did, however, tackle my dressing table first thing. I had crap spread out over the top of two chests of drawers and you couldn’t see the surface . I literally don’t remember the last time I dusted it. I chucked out quite a few half-a-handcream etc and put a lot of stuff away where it should have been - lots of kids bits and bathroom stuff. I’m not quite finished with the sorting but it looks masses better and is all clean and dust-free!

I have also gone through the basket in the bathroom which contains nappies, sudocreme (5 tubs! ), calpol (4 bottles) and had a good sort and chuck out.

Neither of these efforts results in bulky things going but it’s nice to feel that I’ve sorted a couple of spaces to start with.

Omnia all power to you for going it alone. Sorry the father was flaky but a good mum is all your ds will need. A good friend went solo with her ds almost from the beginning and they couldn’t be closer, they have the most wonderful relationship. Good luck!

Ah hello my people.

Only yesterday I was saying to DH that I wanted to start decluttering one room at a time over the next few months.

I am hoping he will get on board, because I he has a habit of hoarding just in case. We want to possibly move house in the next year or so, but with three childrens worth of
toys and plastic tat and his mess I just can't face the thought of packing without a purge.

Yesterday I threw out a box of old toys that were broken and a bag of miscellaneous stuff.

I just need to finish my dissertation first draft first then I will roll up my sleeves and get brutal on the clutter.

Morning!
My brother is here which means loads of stuff can go into the attic,yay! Also means I can move the tv and stand out of the nursery and into my room.

@christmasSeacow ouch, I hope your finger is feeling better today!
Thank you for the well wishes, I’m quite scared about doing it alone, but I have amazing family and friends so I have some wonderful support. It’s his loss and he’s the one missing out, so at least my conscience is clear! It’s lovely to hear that your friend has a wonderful relationship with her ds, hopefully me and little man will have the same!

Hope everyone is enjoying the nice weather. I’ve not got much done this weekend and been out this morning so hoping to get some energy to some bits this afternoon.

Hope the finger is better @christmasSeacow

I spent last week focusing on our bedroom and it’s made an impact just got one more unit to sort through. Hamster has also been moved to the spare room so the landing is looking better.

This week I’m going to try and keep the areas already cleared tidy and start focusing on the dining room as that seems to be a dumping ground. Got a week and a half till back to school and work would be great if I could have a couple of rooms sorted by then.

It's nice to see a few more members - and inspiring to hear what everyone has been working on.

Last time I updated I had just resealed the shower cabinet. I had to buy new sealant as the "new" one I opened from the loft was solid. The following week, I re-sealed the kitchen work surface behind the sink and round the kitchen sink itself. They look 100 times better now. I have removed the 2 wire soap holders that were stuck with suckers to the tiles, that held a nail brush (newish) and the bar of green soap (that came with the house... when we moved in 14 years ago). I have also re-housed the hand wash and washing up liquid in a small plastic storage tray. These changes should help stop the area between the sink and wall being perpetually swimming in water. I then went through the DIY stuff in the loft and threw out all tubes of sealant since they were older than the solidified one. I notice my new tubes have a Best Before date on them.

I haven't done a lot more at home, but have been steadily working on emptying the storage room at work that will be turned back into an office. The deadline for that has shifted a bit, thankfully. I'm not quite there yet, but have hopefully cleared enough space in other places to fit in all the things left we still need to keep. I am definitely getting more ruthless as I go, so am hoping that will stand me in good stead when I get back to working on the house.

Hello, can I join?

My house has been making me miserable for several years but I could never seem to find time to do anything. Daily decluttering motivation is definitely what I need!

I am the worst person ever for pointlessly keeping stuff but decided to get ruthless this weekend as had no plans and DD was at pack holiday.

• I have a boot full of bags for charity.
• I have decluttered my ‘must keep’ baby cupboard (some of the stuff, I can’t actually remember them wearing) Also going to send all DS old clothes to charity as no relative has provided me with a boy to pass them onto!
• I have emptied the huge box of colouring books and bits of paper from under DD’s desk. Last looked at five years ago by the looks of it!
• I have put every toy I can see in the right place in the hope of subtly removing some complete sets to the charity shop soon
• I have filled three boxes full of McDonald’s/anon/magazine etc tat! Going to give what I can to charity. (What does everyone else do with this stuff?)
• I have decluttered my mugs and plates and ornaments and sorted through my magazines.
• I have started a box for defunct electronics.

Books, kids’ artwork and (millions of) soft toys are my next projects. But I really need to keep it up. Dreading having less time when school starts again and it all building up!

Welcome Emmapeeler I’m fairly certain you could claim that as a months worth of one a day Off to a fab start but don’t lose heart if you falter, one a day does make a difference

Garage clearout today

Going to the dump: a trestle, a telephone table (sadly worn out), a hamper and a large wicker basket not in good enough nick to give away, cassettee storage unit, some small bits of electronic junk e.g. an outdated 4-1 plug. Loads of smaller items binned, can't remember it all.

Going to charity/freecycle: new corded telephone (I bought the wrong model in error), wicker basket, wooden trug, tiffin box which looks lovely but I never got much use of it and it's awkward to store, plastic baby box for storing nappies etc. That's just what I can remember.

Oh, old Subbuteo table is also going at end of this week!

Everything well done going into a blooming garage in this heat!

Away this weekend but had a whizz around Sunday morning and got a random load of stuff for charity shop and tidied empty files magazine racks from GCSEs
My wardrobe had a couple of things taken out but waiting until school starts for proper start

Thanks, abitoflight - DH and I were knackered!

Good on you for getting stuff done on a weekend when you'd been away

Thanks @gassylady. It’s been about six years overdue!

Off camping today but in the spirit of the thread will try and sort some of my millions of bathroom bottles when I pack... And maybe declutter the camping bits while I am there

WELcome christmasseacow. I don't have time for a long post (trying to enjoy the last week of the holidays) but just wanted to say that we've all been where you are with toddlers, busy jobs etc. It took me about me about a year to get to the point where I like (yes like!) people turning up uninvited because the 'public' areas of my house are really tidy. I honestly wouldn't worry about an architect seeing your house if it's messy, people mainly employ them because their spaces isn't organised or big enough and they'll have seen it 100 ones before! Why don't you just book one to come round in a few weeks time? That might give you a boost to clear some of the conservatory.

Wow! You guys are really rocking it atm! Gold stars all round!

Welcome to the thread, @123bananas & @Emmapeeler !

I've had a really lovely weekend, mostly at the beach. So, not much decluttering done but, I have promised DP that I will finish decorating the bedroom by this weekend. (Which includes Sunday, right?!) I have also promised myself that I will finish painting the bathroom ceiling this week.

This morning, I have once more been through my clothes which are currently too small for me. I've sorted out 2 lovely pairs of trousers which I'm thinking I might try to sell. I've also almost decided to get rid of my favourite ever top. I'm still thinking about it. I LOVE it!!!! I'm tempted to keep it as a memento. (I know, I know.)

Dear Sis has just told me I can put some stuff in her skip as loads of people have called and removed all her stuff (it's a thing people do!!) so it is only half full. Just about to go around the house and get a boot load of junk (including an old rocking chair which DH bought second hand and which I trip over every time I go through the conservatory!!!).

I just wanted to jump on to share a story. My dd (12) has struggled for YEARS with parting with her possessions and this year it has been pretty easy for her! She listened to Marie Kondo on audio about five times, I think. This summer she has blitzed various areas of her room. It has taken her HOURS even when it hasn't been particularly hard going. Probabaly if I add up the time it might be about twenty five hours? And that is just one room partially done. With my help.

So it does take a long long time, even when you are keen.

Hi fellow declutterers

I’m not sure if this is the right place to ask...years ago, I came across a blog which ch linked decluttering and creativity. I think it was divided into three sections, the idea being that you could make routine jobs easy by habit, and then ha e more free time. Does anyone know the name of it please.?

If it helps with other suggestions, my situation is
Small one bed flat
Kitchen combined with lounge
Very little space

I originally tried a massive declutter but I’m tired of ditching things I actually want to keep and really need to get a goof housework routine in to tidy things away.

Thanks for any help.

after a pretty successful start I’ve stalled a bit. Maybe I peaked too soon. Finding it almost impossible to get much done when the DC are about.

Decluttered a giant pack of nappies to a friend with a slimmer baby . Also - not an out but helpful all the same - moved the Xmas decorations to under DDs bed to clear some much needed space in the cupboard in her room.
Have sorted a bag for the dump from baby’s room and one bag of toys packed away for when he’s older.
Aiming for some more small wins in the coming days. Been put to shame by some of the recent posts!

Welcome to the thread, @CanISpeakToYourManager & @RosaWaiting !

Rosa, I'm not familiar with that blog, I don't think. TOMM is another system which might be able to help you?? As you have a small space, I can understand that you've reached a point of wanting to keep things now. It sounds like you need routines, discipline to do them and good storage. I would also add that you might be surprised how much more clutter you have hidden away that you've stopped seeing... maybe?? (I say that as someone with a small house who's been decluttering for years.) Maybe getting rid of one thing a day with us could be really helpful for you?

Myname - I think you're doing really well. Remember to reward yourself!

Willow - I love the sound of pink hair!

I'm back on the decorating today (which I'm counting as it's been a really big item on my to do list for ages).

I've been looking at the clothes I pulled out the other day: I don't think I can be bothered to wash, iron, advertise and deal with flakey buyers for the trousers, so I think I'm just going to give them to charity. My favourite top is back in though and I feel good about that so, no regrets.

Thanks all

I found it but unless I’m stupid or my iPad is misbehaving, it’s not fully available any more

It’s Habithacker.com

I’ll see if I can find anything similar. I really can’t get rid of any more. I’ve also been given an old sewing machine and need to set up a workspace somehow. One option would be to just accept that the lounge/kitchen area has to look dreadful, I guess.

I do really struggle with routine, I have a different day off work each week but spend that, and most of the weekend with elderly mum, as well as some evening visits to her after work which tend to be ad hoc.

So I always have a slot in the week for a big clean, but no routine for tidying bits and bobs.