Decluttering one thing a day part 10 - the countdown to a clutter free Christmas

[StealthNinjaMum]

It’s the 10th thread and we’re still here!

We’re a group of mumsnetters who aim to get rid of one thing a day to develop good habits and gradually declutter our lives.

Newbies are welcome, those of us who’ve been here for some time have all seen dramatic improvements in our homes, the way we organise ourselves and even mental health. So if you’re new just check in and update with your progress and join in the general chat about recycling, housework and ways to be organised.

Previous thread here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3711883-Decluttering-one-thing-a-day-Part-9?pg=1

wondering7777 my criteria has changed over time. Originally I lurked on a thread called 'declutter one carrier bag of stuff a day' and so I focused on getting rid of larger items that were no longer needed by my children to meet this target e.g. cots, buggies, little tike cars, playpens. I actually got rid of 1,000 bags in about 2 years. This also included lots of stuff like broken computers, old furniture, stuff in the garage and made a very visible difference that spurred me on.

After that I think I probably started to focus on areas of the house and I just keep returning to them. It's been a gradual process for me learning I don't need as much stuff as I have. I 'chuck out' a few children's books one day and then a few more a week later. It's not that efficient but my brain is learning I don't need this stuff.

I do look at whether I like something, whether it's used, whether it holds memories but I make the decision quicker these days.

Also as I cleared drawers out I have grouped items together more so I know I have lots of an item and can give the spare ones away - and not buy new ones. I'm sure at one point I brought together all the arts and craft stuff and we had over a dozen pritt sticks and a similar number of selotapes and pairs of scissors.

I’ve managed to achieve my first out of 2020 already . Ages ago I bought some bulbs for the kitchen spotlights but got the wrong fitting, and they’ve been on top of the kitchen cupboards ever since. Today I took a photo and sent it round to my friends asking if anyone could use them, and I’ve got a taker, who I’m seeing in January so I’ll bring them with me then. Start as you mean to go on!

Last day of work tomorrow, have a bag of old bank statements and payslips to take in and dispose of in the confidential waste bin, plus I’ve remembered there are textile recycling banks at the station so another bag of clothes can go out as well.

I'm aiming to be clutter free in 2020 - this was also my aim for 2018 and 2019! I am getting better. I don't keep things for as long as I used to. Some things get overlooked when I am clearing but if I come across them the next time and they haven't been used then they go. I'm getting so much better with clothes - if it hasn't been worn since the last tidy then out it goes!
Delivered one Christmas present today but got one in return so that evens out. A friend is visiting next week and is due her first baby so I have a nice bag of baby bits for her to take.

@StealthNinjaMum 1,000 bags - that is seriously impressive!!

I got rid of a big gift box that was sitting on top of a cupboard in the dining room today. I was keeping it “just in case” but have never bought a present that fits and I’ve had it for three years! I also gave away a set of wine glasses I never use via Freecycle - they were snapped up and taken within two hours, which felt good.

Confession: I did buy a new fruit bowl today though - my old one broke and I’m sick of having loose fruit rolling around on my kitchen counter. But I suppose that is something I actually need?!

A tip for clothes i read a couple of years ago ... hang them in your wardrobe with the hangers the wrong way. After you have worn the item, put it back in the right way. You'll be able to see after a few months which items haven't been worn.

I do this every season, as my wardrobes aren't huge so need to be filled with things i will wear. I'm hoping to persuade DH to do the same - I'm sure he has clothes that haven't been worn for years.

That’s a good tip for clothes - thanks Drop. I need to tackle my wardrobe ASAP! have an expensive coat that DH thinks I look great in. I never wear it because I can’t actually button it up anymore so it’s not ideal for the cold weather, plus it has a moth hole in it. I also don’t feel it’s quite my personal style, but am swayed by the fact that it is undoubtedly a lovely coat. WWYD?

Wondering - It's too small, has a hole in it, isn't your style and doesn't keep you warm. I'd find a charity which feels good to give it to. When it comes to coats in winter, I like to give to homeless charities etc, where they go directly to those in need. If a cold person was standing in front of you, I'm sure you wouldn't hesitate to give them the coat. Don't wait until it disintegrates any more (like some of us have done on this thread previously). Do it whilst there's still some life left in it and it can really benefit someone.

Yes, but would a charity want a coat with a moth hole in it? That’s the dilemma I have with clothes which are no longer looking their best - bobbled, yellowing at the armpits, holes or pulled threads (thanks, cats) etc.

The moth hole is barely visible under all the folds of fabric, so that’s something. It’s a truly beautiful coat and so hard to get rid of!

I’m tackling coats today. The “pile” needs to go back on the hooks.

And will also finish wrapping presents.

After Christmas I’m dealing with the airing cupboard. I need the storage space under our bed to put towels and Christmas bedding in. But at the moment this is full of Christmas presents. I can’t wrap and put underneath the tree because ds is only 2....

wondering777 1000 bags is a bit embarrassing, and I never tell people in real life! It sounds like I lived in complete chaos but you wouldn't have known because it was largely hidden. It also includes furniture.

I had a coat with a moth hole in it recently - I suppose it was more of a coatigan and I got a dry cleaners to cut six inches off the bottom which included the hole and it looks great. Not sure if there's a way you could restyle it?

In terms of coats that aren't looking their best I would just ask the charity what they would accept. We have a homeless charity around here who take coats and in the past I've asked them if something was acceptable (but then it's a friend who runs it). If it is too poor quality then I give it to a charity shop as rags (one that accepts rags I don't think all do).

wondering when you say you can't button it up does it matter? I used to have a few coats I couldn't button up but I'd wear them with a scarf and they'd still look good. If it's a beautiful coat then buy a big scarf in a vivid contrasting colour and start wearing it. I bought a bright red scarf recently to wear over a blue coat and I feel so good in it that I have worn that coat lots when it was close to being chucked out. Red goes with most things anyway (I had my colours done and a 'true red' suits everybody so a red scarf is a good investment).

On to decluttering, I have decluttered the fridge while dc are still in bed. I'm going to clean it now. As well as the usual salad bags that had seen better days I had some old cranberry sauce (from last year), strawberry jam and horseradish sauce that needs to go.

Cleaned bathroom last night. Does anyone have any tips for decluttering black mould from the grout? Bleach and Cif are not cutting it, although the bathroom does look vaguely cared for.

Today's job is clearing the dining table and surrounding area as we need to drag it out tomorrow for visitors. That should result in some small outs for the recycle bin.

@keiki Waitrose do a mould cleaner spray. It’s ace. Spray it on and scrub with a toothbrush.

Mad two days of cleaning and tidying and trips to the charity shop and one trip to the dump organised and three items sold on eBay (large furniture we no longer need). SO the house was pristine and I was so proud for my Christmas family lunch yesterday.

However, not as tidy to-day and I've been up since 7 doing Christmas shop, so I am posting here to make sure I get up off my chair now and finish the tidying from last night (as I am having visitors at 12!!!).

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and thanks to you all for motivating me to keep going over the last month. Time (almost) to relax and enjoy the fruits of our hard labour.

@keiki - I used bleach on a toothbrush - it worked brilliantly. Also try those Flash white sponges (only the Flash ones work, the cheaper own brand ones are useless).

Thanks Stealth. I might put the coat out to encourage myself to start wearing it again. If I do I'll get the moth hole fixed; if I still don't wear it this winter then I will give it to charity.

I've just had a quick sweep of the piles of clothes that have been sitting on my bedroom floor for months. I've chucked out a load of sports socks that I never use, plus some underwear and tights with holes in - and a pair of jeans that were ripped in the crotch area It feels so good!

I only have a limited amount of wardrobe space in our new home, which can accommodate 50 items max (and I don't have any folding space, so the wardrobe is it!)

I will need to do a further clothing cull after Christmas as I currently have about 70 items of clothing - and I know there's quite a few bits that I never wear!

11 items out today in a doorstep charity bag. Nice easy option!

@wondering7777 I'm the same with clothes, hate the idea of letting them go but love seeing the back of them and having more space.

I'm in a fat phase at the moment so have put some thin clothes in the loft. I'd rather not see them right now

Presents all wrapped. I’ve got no paper or tape left.

A pair of jeans has gone in the charity bag.

Bins emptied.

Recycling to be collected tomorrow.

I have gone round the entire flat and made sure everything is in the recycling box or rubbish for emptying tomorrow as no doubt it will soon fill up again!
Did the food shop this morning so fridge is very full! DD and I did finish off a few things for lunch which helped.
Tomorrow is cleaning and prepping veg.
Happy Christmas all and here's to continuing with less cluttered homes

Went through our kitchen "tins and jars" cupboard. Donated some things to the food bank, chucked anything out of date, and organised the rest.

Christmas food shopping all done, wrapping done. Now to clean and iron whilst DH and DD are out.

I’m cleaning. Have brushed the stairs and have seemingly picked up a whole other cats worth of fur.

Last of the Christmas presents given out over the weekend.

May I ask for guidance?

Stuck my nose into the spare room for Christmas decs and shuddered - it wouldn't look out of place in on a hoarders telly show.

It's a mix of bags and boxes (and a 205gti interior). Floor is completely covered and some boxes are 3 high.

Should I buy a couple of storage boxes to throw 'keeps' into or is that just me setting myself up to keep stuff I shouldn't? I've never been so adamant that I will chuck stuff and with the help of this thread I am doing so well but finding starting this a bit overwhelming because it's just so much.

Bag of old payslips and bank statements (at least one dating back to 2005 decluttered into the confidential waste bin at work

Most of the presents wrapped apart from DS's, but he is only 17 months so you can pretty much do it in front of him and he won't notice . The girls' "big present" can be wrapped on Christmas Eve and left under the tree by Santa (cough cough)

Just done a quick recce in the M&S and Waitrose near work (Central London) and it looks like there's plenty of food left, so DP and I are off to do the Christmas shop in a bit (same workplace). It's just the five of us for The Day and no-one likes turkey, so we're having roast chicken, potatoes, veg etc and some snacks - quite low-key

@Defender90 I think the idea is that you get storage for your space not for your stuff.

If it were me I’d shut the door on it until after Christmas then spend some time in there. Group all like things together and then go through each pile one at a time.

Wondering - Glad you've got that sorted now. Just deciding what to do is at least half of it I think.

Defender - I agree with ememem - it sounds like quite a big job so may be best to wait until after Christmas.