The decluttering on thing a day thread - part 11

[StealthNinjaMum]

We’re still here.

After 10 threads my house still isn't tidy!

So join me and a lovely group of mumsnetters who simply get rid of one thing a day and report back. Gradually we’re developing good habits, reorganising ourselves, often improving our mental health and having friendly chatter along the way.

So newbies are welcome, just check in with your news and join in the general chat about recycling, organisation and housework.

Previous thread here.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/3760076-Decluttering-one-thing-a-day-part-10-the-countdown-to-a-clutter-free-Christmas?pg=1

ALSO many of us have set a target to get rid of 2020 items this year and will report on that.

Yesterday--outgrown rugby boots to club charity box

Today--three pairs of jeans to clothing bank

I'm still copying old files off my old laptop. It's so slow that both computers have switched themselves off mid-copy. Well, one did. The older one has been 'shutting down' for about half an hour now. I'm cooking dinner in between button presses (which, admittedly, might be part of the problem).

No outs yet but I'm getting there.

@StealthNinjaMum Thank you, it's so nice to know that I'm not alone on this journey. Most of the big items I have to get rid of reside in the garage.

Today I've finished the landing and thrown out two broken dishes, sorted a pile of clothes to sell on eBay, removed more empty packaging and deep cleaned the landing, a table and chairs went today along with a chest of drawers both from the garage.

142/2020

10 large items gone with the clearance man. A recipe tried but considered just 'OK' and not worth a second go, so recipe in the recycling.

Decided to start on the bathroom managed to collect a large supermarket bag of empty toilet rolls, deoderant cans, plastic bottles etc so those went in the recycling bin. Also managed a small supermarket bag of general rubbish, e.g. soaps given many Christmas ago, and other non recyclable stuff. It was amazing how much stuff in the bathroom cabinet had been sat there for years and there was loads of stuff around the sink and bath that was empty but didn’t think to put in the bin! I’ve still got the vanity unit to go. At least once the bathroom is done I feel that it will be a small victory (even though it is the smallest room in the house)

I’ve had a fairly productive few days. I’m up to 235/2020 now, and today’s outs included a few larger items so it feels more significant!
I also managed to tick a lot off my to-do list, so I’m feeling the benefits of a mental declutter too!
I’ve got a pretty quiet day planned tomorrow, so will have a think about the areas of the house on which I can focus my decluttering efforts.

I am now in the bath with a face mask on which I found during my decluttering efforts

A bit of tidy up Tetris today. I needed to file my papers in the Room of Doom but - having cleared it last year - it’s become a dumping ground of crap again. So I have been sorting stuff out and found some toys to take to the charity shop and books to sell. I need to pop out now but will file my papers there and carry on with my bedroom.

Today got rid of used batteries, out of date medicines and a load of saucepans that don't work out induction hob. I did buy a couple of things though! But all to either replace worn out things or to store things (e.g. bread bin, haven't had one before and it just looks awful on the counter).

Also decluttered one small drawer which is now empty. I tried to declutter the cleaning stuff (did get rid of a few things), but think I'll need a box or a tray or something to store it in the cupboard. Otherwise all the bottles will just get knocked over (and probably left there) when someone needs a bottle that's at the back.

I'm really keen to keep going, I feel like I'm already finding it easier to relax!

Out today:
8 scarves, 1 dressing gown, 2 biscuit tins, 11 pkts of out of date noodles & pasta, 1 hand cream, 6 cloths/dusters, fridge magnets, 2 suitcases & old shoes.

182/2020

1 big item out today. It's too outing to say what but it's about the size of a cupboard and I'd had it for years. It's gone to a charity which is going to use it well, so it's a win-win.

I was desperate to join this thread, I had a huge clear out a while back of about 4 sacks of stuff but nothing was leaving the house. Today I listed it all for free on local selling sites, organised it into bags for different places and arranged a load of collections. One trip to the charity shop tomorrow and it’s all clear!
I can’t wait to join in properly now! Hopefully by the end of the year I’ll have a tidy house that isn’t overflowing with possessions. Tomorrow/this weekend I’m going to sort books, and the dreaded under the bed storage.

Sifted through kitchen cupboard this evening and found 8 mini jars of marmalade. I hate the stuff. But it came as part of gift hampers.

My colleague at work can’t get enough of it. If he was a she I’d wonder if she was pregnant. But he’s not a she. So maybe he’s a relative of Paddington bear....

Anyway. Taking said marmalade to work tomorrow for him.

Did a ton of housework. Posted some returns and eBay items. Found more I need to list. Took a large bag of stuff to the charity shop. Took a car seat to the tip. So many jobs still.to do and not enough time.

My recycling bin is now full and ready for collection tomorrow 😀. Bathroom and kitchen are noticeably tidier. Empty bottles have been taken to the bottle bank. Whilst decluttering the kitchen I found 4/5 duplicates of herbs and spices we already had so the ones with the closest date went in the bin.

I wasn’t meaning meaning to start in the under-stairs cupboard but i spotted a sander, some unopened gloss paint, grout and sealant and a decorating floor sheet. We are currently renovating our new house and DH claimed we didn’t have any of these items so bought new from B&Q!

More outs tonight:

• 2 brochures and several papers. (These are from my uni notes box. There's so much more!)
• A newspaper pull-out. (I've been keeping this for years, unread, in the bookcase. I've now scanned it.)
• 11 DVDs.
• A software disc - not used in about 10 years.

• By 'scanned' I mean with my eyes, not a scanner.

Welcome, @Em8725!

I have a selection of ball gowns in my wardrobe - none of which I will ever fit into again, they need to go don't they?

Yes @Bunkerlife, that's the sensible answer!

Today's out is a work bag that I brought home before Christmas, finally taken it back to work.

I need some advice on car contents. I come from a family of just in case people, so care everything excluding the kitchen sink around. I've emptied it all out for transfer to the new car, but actually I don't think I want to put it all in - what do normal people have in their cars? Do I need paper maps in car of sat nav failure? Do I need a towing rope and bar (never used in 10 years)? Snow shovel? Window shades? 20 reusable shopping bags? Beach toys? If you need something around the home you can easily repurchase, but if you break down in the car you need the just in case things there and then so I'm struggling to get my head around it. Help!

@Bunkerlife could you donate them to your local secondary school for prom? Or to a theatre company?

In my car, @keiki I have a towel (hitchiker's guide advises always having one handy), shopping bags, old washing up bowl, hat and scarf and bottled water in case of breakdown. When kids were babies I had spare nappies too.

Blue - What do you use the washing up bowl for? Is it a camping thing?

Keiki - I keep quite a bit in mine but I've found most of it useful and don't have a garage so it's the natural space for car things. I review it regularly though.

I don't do camping 😁 the washing up bowl is an old one, multi purpose really. Sick bowl etc.

Keiki - I always carry a snack and a drink in the car because some of the roads I travel on can be closed due to landslip, accident, snow etc. At this time of year I also have a snow shovel, blanket and pair of sturdy boots. Also carry baby wipes as they are so useful for cleaning things, windscreen wash, tyre inflator and shopping bags.

I'm trying (and failing) to declutter. Yesterday was books and I think I'll carry on with that today.