The decluttering one thing a day thread - part 12

[AlexTheLittleCat]

For StealthNinjaMum

We’re still here.

After 11 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/3799710-The-decluttering-on-thing-a-day-thread-part-11?pg=1

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

No physical decluttering here but the ins weren’t bad at all for DD1’s 13th birthday yesterday - we mainly got her art stuff, in a nice box that she can add her other supplies to.

I’ve had zero energy to tidy TBH but I have done some digital decluttering this week - I had loads of different amazon wish lists but have deleted loads of them and removed lots of items that I’d added ages ago. I think lockdown has really changed my attitude to Stuff.

I also went on my old email (I have kept the app as some things I still use my old addresses rather than the iCloud which I’ve only had a couple of years) and deleted some and unsubscribed to some. Didn’t get to continue as it’s home ed time now but I’ve got the bug for it so I’ll carry on later. It’s frustrating though how I nearly get to zero and then it builds up again. Really I ought to sort through fully, move anything important over to my iCloud address, and delete the gmail and hotmail, but that feels like a bit too much brainwork for now!

Decluttered 100 each of plastic knives, forks & spoons today.

We only ever seem to have one fork in the office kitchen, and I realised I had 3 packs of cutlery at home, just in case.

Not any more!

Another book on the pile and a random business card out.

Freecycled a lampshade - harder work than it needed to be, but it's out of the house and not in landfill!

Today's items:

1 food storage container w lid.
1 leaflet.
1 bookmark.
And, another 2 books.

I also managed to get a big stain out of DP's favourite t-shirt. It was right on the front so has saved it, which is great.

I'm currently sorting through a box of diaries and papers. I'll probably bin a bit but I'm not very hopeful.

I've just finished going through the box. Well, I'm not 'finished finished', but I have finished a first sweep.

I've collated and organised 4 smaller files into 1 big one.

I think I have some more papers to merge in with this box too - I need to check that.

I've also got to fine-tune the filing with some dividers etc.

Outs:
I've shredded/recycled a wad of papers.
1 old, plastic wallet has gone to recycling.

Hey guys, I joined in briefly during thread 9 I think but I’ve got renewed motivation for a massive declutter.

We are definitely going to try and move house so if that doesn’t get me going I don’t know what will.

Outs this week are

3 baby sleeping bags that are outgrown

A pair of pants that used to be big comfy pants but are now small uncomfortable pants. I don’t need that negativity in my life

Some general detritus from the bottom of my make up bag. Broken safety pins, earrings without backs and bits of tags etc

Hey Roxy, good to see you again. Hope moving house is the spur you need. Totally with you on losing uncomfortably negative pants!

I've stalled here as charity shops still aren't open that I can see. Although I've just remembered a large lidded crate in the garage I could put things in, so they're at least out of the utility room.

Today, I will experiment with putting out the Ed McBains. I used to love reading them, but I don't think I've touched them in more than a decade and I can't keep them just because I remember reading them on the tube when I was 22. That's almost a quarter of a century ago (horrors).

JigoloHarMegiddo - I used to have LOADS of his books. Think I must have got rid of them years ago but I can’t remember!

Hello again Roxy agree moving is a great motivator why pay to move it then get rid of it.
This thread has again inspired I am half way through THAT drawer in the kitchen! Lots of fridge magnets, things that get shot out of various toys that have themselves been long gone, a small collection of padlocks with their keys probably all too small to be useful. I’m hopeful when I’m done there will be room for pens and paper for shopping lists

@PickledLilly, I did love them, and they were exactly the right length to read a whole one in a day, one hour into South Kensington on the Tube and one hour out again!

Sand The tiny tins were biscuit tins . I thought they would be useful to store DH's stuff (DIY, electrical etc). He has more stuff than me!

Roxy A great idea to clear out before you move house. When we moved we took so much with us, then have spent years clearing it all out.

Lane Hope your daughter had a great birthday! You've reminded me to clear my digital clutter too.

I finally finished the shed, outs are some kids toys to be re-homed and cardboard boxes etc.

My progress this week has been glacial! But I can report that my office desk is now free of all bits of paper, kids' drawings, random cards, junk mail and scraps of paper with scribbled messages to myself. Instead, there's a small doocot with a small to-do pile. And I can find what I need in seconds, without panic and palpitations.

I use old laundry powder boxes and cereal boxes for filing on to a bookshelf. Just the right size for A4 paper.

Finally pulled my finger out and have put all the charity shop stuff from the utility room into a lidded plastic box in the garage and added 30 more books -25 Ed McBains, 4 Len Deightons and Tarzan of the Apes!

No idea of my total, will have to scroll back over a cup of tea.

We found out the charity shop is accepting donations, so big bags of books, soft toys and clothes have left the house. DH also sorted out the shed, so he’s gone to the tip to get rid of random stuff we’ve been storing for years and never used.

I’d like to say the house looks clearer from all the stuff we’ve removed, but no. Still looks the same, mess in every room.

Right I am going to clear all the stuff that is just sitting on the sofa in my room. If it doesn't have a home, it is out! I mean it.

I cannot wait for the charity shops to reopen as I have a clothes bundle ready and waiting.

At least one of the charity shops I donate to regularly has reopened so I can make up a bag this week. The kitchen drawer of doom has been fully sorted unearthed the spanner for football boot studs that was apparently left in school 🙄 Have got rid of enough stuff that the spare keys now fit in - instead of living in a pot on the worktop. Tomorrow’s job is to sort through the keys 😱

2 lampshades gone (bin- they weren't worthy of recycling) bought 2 new ones from Dunelm.

Loads of glass packed up for the Bottle Bank

Today: two old bras and two cat beds which the cat entirely ignored in favour of a box or the bed. It took me a few expensive cat beds to learn but I got there in the end!

Ardnassa - I know exactly what you mean! I bought my cat some lovely beds and ended up getting rid of them all! I do like the space though, so I'm not complaining.

Alex - Ah, biscuit tins! They can certainly be useful for biscuits (definitely), screws or pens (etc), but after that, if they don't stack neatly or fit nicely in a drawer or cupboard, I think they can be counter productive. (I gave away a load a while back.)

My item today is a pannet of 6 dead bedding plants which I have been trying to resuscitate. It's all gone for composting/recycling. I have also started the job of cleaning the, utterly filthy bowl they have been sitting in, so I can use it again in the house. (Just so you all know, I was given them unexpectedly and am honestly not a wasteful, plant killer.)

I started to sort through our keys the other week gassylady and lost the will to live. When we moved in we inherited lots of keys on labelled hooks. Unfortunately the labels have little or no relationship with reality! We've also changed exterior doors so to be honest they could probably all go.

Sandandsea that has happened to me with so many plants! I got some cheaply last year but totally failed on resurrecting them!

Good luck with the premoving declutter Roxy. We also moved with loads of stuff that we should've dumped. Problem is it's easier just to put them in boxes rather than making the decisions.

I'm going to have a look through the airing cupboard today as things keep falling out when I open it! The shelves could do with replacing, but less stuff would also help!. We have textile recycling collection next week so it's something I'll actually be able to get out of the house! I have about 6 bags for the charity shop (in a crate that sounds very much like yours Jigolo!)

out: bra with a broken wire (new one on its way so not strictly an out!)
-mouldy books (sad times, but they are dangerous apparently)
-2 bags for charity shop and one full of rags in the car - our charity shops are opening up slowly but the one near the car park was closed!

We had 1 out yesterday. A half empty jar of mincemeat that had been left from Christmas.

Does that count?

I did the airing cupboard last year took everything out gave it a good clean then only but back two sets of bedding for each bed all in a set, so one fitted sheet one duvet cover and four pillowcases for each bed in the cupboard and one set on the
Bed, I got rid of loads of sets just kept three sets for each bed, then with the towels I but a nice Crome radiator rail in each of the beds rooms and but two towels in each bedroom then just but hand towels in the bathrooms, only have I spare set of towels for each bedroom in airing cupboard now and a set of spare hand towels for both bathrooms.

This was a very difficult job for me as I had a least twenty years of bedding in my cupboard, I could never find covers and pillowcases that matched , now it’s just so easy three piles on one shelf, all supper king together same with king and double, makes making the bed much easier.

Now only have good quality sets that go with bedrooms they are in. Plus only have really nice towels all the old stuff went to dogs home.

The three winter quilts are in three bags that you suck the air out, which get swapped for summer one.

QUALITY over QUANTITY

Airing cupboard done! Not perfect but three fitted sheets with failed elastic are gone and a ripped flat sheet had gone into the garage for a new life as a dust sheet. Also a pair of patterned pillow cases that have no matching duvet. Some tiny baby towels have also been put away with baby things as DS is far too big for them now. Unfortunately I now know that we only have two spare towels, both of which are beach towels! So will have to be a couple of items in at some point.

Also out, two old (and ripped) shirts.