Decluttering one thing a day - Part 9

[SandAndSea]

Welcome to our 9th thread in the Decluttering One Thing A Day series!

As you might imagine, we aim to get rid of one thing a day (or the equivalent, if we miss a few days).

The idea is that aiming low in this way prevents us from getting overwhelmed. It's also sustainable so helps us to develop effective clutter clearing habits which last.

In reality, many of us have found that once we start, we often get rid of far more than just one thing. (But if we don't, that's OK too.)

Everyone's welcome! We're a friendly and supportive bunch, from aspiring minimalists to full-on clutterbucks! We're also pretty green so you'll find lots of recycling, freecycling, donating and selling.

Previous thread here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3612006-Decluttering-one-thing-a-day-part-8-the-one-where-we-de-tetris-the-cupboard-of-doom?pg=1&order=

[Medwaymumoffour]

Yes I think I will just do do the one thing a day until after Christmas. I want to get into a good housework routine as I’m sure it would be less hectic if I knew what room I was decluttering on each day.

I have just tidied ds1 and ds2 rooms which has resulted in finding the new shoe I lost after a week wear and some brand new toys and clothes I should donate. I bought dd a doll baby in the sales last year ( she isn’t into babies) and some BNWT Primark jeans for ds3 but he has ASD so prefers pull on joggers and pull on jeans. They can all go.

I’m helping my mate move so going to hers after lunch. She is very inspirational as I have helped her pack some boxes and she can part with anything! Unlike me 😭

[SandAndSea]

@Medwaymumoffour - So, in quite a small space of time, you've put the tree up, tidied 2 rooms, decluttered some clothes and toys, and now you're going to help your friend move! Sounds great to me!

[Bluewavescrashing]

Today I've got rid of a tatty old tablecloth and broken washing basket. I've decided not to replace the basket as big bags for life work just as well.

[SandAndSea]

Well done, Blue! I've been thinking of getting another washing basket but you've got a point about bags for life. I've got loads of them too. And they already have a place.

I've had a mystery mark on my kitchen sink for several years. I thought I had tried everything to get it off but nothing worked, until today. Pink Stuff paste has just demolished it! I thought my sink was pretty clean, but it turns out it wasn't. I almost can't believe the difference! I'm claiming the mark as an 'out'.

[Keiki]

I use those big blue IKEA bags for the washing.

I cleared out some baby sleeping bags, but replacements are already in situ. I have also lost a Christmas present that needs posting this week, and a fairly important baby toy. Not a productive weekend!

Unfortunately I slipped and bought some wrapping paper. I really really have enough, but I needed some separate paper for 'Santa' presents (with Santa on for ease of use) and then slipped and also bought some cute nutcracker paper Hopefully when I do get around to wrapping I can finish off some rolls to even out!

[Vinorosso74]

Sand sadly they were newish; last year was their first Christmas. Off to Sainsbury's tomorrow so hopefully can get some replacements.
Have just wrapped some presents up and finished a roll of paper.
The electrical recycling bin near us has not yet reappeared which is annoying so I still have a bloody broken toy.

[Bluewavescrashing]

Another out- rubbish soap dispenser that annoyed me every time I used it. We are now a bar soap/ shampoo/ conditioner family which is cheaper and more eco friendly anyway.

[Bluewavescrashing]

vin you will use all the wrapping paper eventually, don't worry. Have to say we are moving away from wrapping paper to brown paper and ribbon, unwrapped gifts in stockings and Santa sacks. Gift bags for birthdays. I have a bit of Christmas wrapping paper to use up but I won't buy any more, mainly as our council won't collect it for recycling and it clogs up my black bin.

[SandAndSea]

Not much for me today, just a few papers and bits and bobs. But, I have found a new home for another big item. They're collecting it later in the week. I'm so pleased! It was a special gift and I've struggled to get rid of it but it's going to a really good cause which takes the sting out nicely.

[IWillWearTheGreenWillow]

No decluttering at all today, although I did look out some material for wrapping DD's birthday gifts.

Tomorrow is the first day of decluttering The Fence That Fell Down. Burly men are doing it for us, but it still counts, I feel.

[Elenorrigbywoes]

I recycled the bottles and jars. It mounts up in the garage when you don't keep on top of it!
Dropped some books to the charity shop and some baby clothes.

[SandAndSea]

I know it's late but I got into things and wanted to make the most of it.

I've boxed up a load of my files into one, organised box. These were gathered from various places in the house and had taken root on the dining room table. The lid just about fits. (I need to prune the contents and I will but, another day.) For now, I'm intending to put this in my wardrobe so it's away as it's not priority at the moment.

Then, and this is the especially good bit... I went through my bookcase. I absolutely love books so I've surprised myself, not least as I've had most of them for years (over 20)! Anyway, I've got a pile about a foot high. (I'm tempted to measure it, but I won't.) I have counted them though and it's 13 books!! 13!!

Plus a bookmark and 2 leaflets.

I'm quite pleased with myself.

[Coldhandscoldheart]

Well done @SandAndSea!
It’s my busy day today, although part of that is some Christmas shopping, so things in rather than out, but I’ll see what I can shift too.
Oh, I am going to get things away to the charity shop.

[Defender90]

Two big storage boxes of tombola things donated to dog rescue for fundraising efforts. Took two things out and thought I would keep them, then put them back in sealed the lid and put them in the car, I DO NOT NEED THEM!!

Been away from home most of the weekend so haven't done much else, but slowly slowly right?

[Coldhandscoldheart]

As well as a tip/charity run, I am going to reduce 4 large full boxes of assorted DIY stuff into fewer boxes. I hope anyway.

[SleepingSoul]

In the last couple of days I've managed to weed out some bits from the ever over flowing plastics drawer, a toy for the charity bag, and three school shirts which no longer fit.

I'm going to get the Xmas decs out later and trim those down. I have loads of tinsel I never use that can definitely go for a start.

I'm dreading Christmas slightly with the new influx of stuff I can expect for DD. I've been trying to get my DM into a quality not quantity mindset!

[Coldhandscoldheart]

Halved the boxes. Plus some spare saws. And some bits and pieces. OTOH, I found the draught padding, so can take back the roll I bought today, saving £8.

[SleepingSoul]

Nice work @Coldhandscoldheart ! Great when it also means you don't replace unnecessarily.

I was pondering how many screwdrivers one house needs the other day, found 8 and know I have at least 3 more, but my dad reckons a range is necessary.

[StealthNinjaMum]

Another few days where I have decluttered as I go, so outs have included child underwear, papers, receipts.

Next week I need to start on a declutter to do list so maybe one area for half an hour a day, I am keeping to the spirit of the thread but might set myself a target of something. Maybe 50 carrier bags out? or 20? Will ponder that and report back.

[Keiki]

finally got rid of that duvet yesterday so have some more space. Also repurposed an empty shoe box that was hanging around for putting in hats and scarves on top of the shoe rack.

[IWillWearTheGreenWillow]

I love repurposing, Keiki. It makes me feel capable and housewifely etc!

Today I started to look at the lego technic, and I've hit a snag. We don't appear to have a complete set of anything, just boxes and boxes of random bits. And some instructions. It's going to take days to sort it and I think I might be better selling it by the kilo.

[Coldhandscoldheart]

Didn’t make it to the tip, but a good bit went to the various charity shops.
I remembered on Monday I took something’s to work for a colleague, so I have had some outs every day this week.
I’m going to try to gather the outgrown socks for nursery spares tomorrow morning.

[Coldhandscoldheart]

@SleepingSoul screwdrivers you say? We have two full sets (possibly three, you’d think I’d know having just sortEd everything out) plus the drill bits that work as screwdrivers, plus the box of random screwdrivers which are the ones we actually use day to day. I believe this is the correct number.

[SandAndSea]

I've got another book to go out! I've been looking online and can apparently get a few quid for it. I'm going to look into how much I can get for the others too.

[SandAndSea]

I've been playing around with those online, book-buying sites. One site offered me over £5 for one book but when I went back to it after a break, this had gone to zero! I ended up putting both sets of books into 2 sites and getting 2 prices. Webuybooks was the best price.

But, since then, I've gone back to my bookcase and have another 6 books to declutter! They're all like new and quite beautiful (to me) so it's a bit of a wrench, but I'm trying to be strong.