Decluttering one item a day thread number 18 – quickly stashing our clutter in charity shops now we can let people back inside our houses

[stealthninjamum]

Here we are again, still decluttering and still chatting and sometimes getting rid of some clutter.

This is a group of mumsnetters who aspire to live in a lovely clutterfree environment, usually scuppered by husbands, children, dogs and in my house ‘valuable’ bits of twig and stone or origami versions of aardvarks and komodo dragons.

We are slowly decluttering our houses, chatting and updating each other on our slow progress as we go. We only aim to get rid of one a day but often manage more. Newbies are welcome to join us.

Since the last thread charity shops reopened and things got closer to normal. I’ve now invited friends over for the end of June so have a month to get the house ‘guest ready’.

Previous thread here.
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/housekeeping/4183135-Decluttering-one-item-a-day-and-counting-down-til-the-opening-of-charity-shops-thread-number-17?pg=38

No new outs, but a bag of previously sorted clothes has gone in the clothes bank we pass on the school run. Feel like I can really see the progress I’ve made on DD’s clothes now!

Morning!

2 small plastic lids out yesterday as I've been sorting kitchen cupboards.
that's it until Saturday.

today is a drive around day; DS4 orthodontists, DS3 prom with pre-prom party at a friend then sleepover at another, still trying to find shoes for DD plus shopping.

tomorrow I'm gonna rest.

Hello! May I join you? I haven't seen this thread before and it's such a great idea.

I am doing a toy sort out in my dcs playroom (formerly the dining room)! Definitely plan to have some things to declutter.

I've done my wardrobe recently, already. Although the clothes haven't been sold on yet. I want to do that soon too.

Hoping I don’t loose my post now !
DH did two dump runs in the end and took one box to charity shop plus our mattress toppers to a laundromat (will take bedspreads on collection of them ) on Sunday . I finished the linen cupboard contents from the sofa and packed what was being kept they’ve gone to new house now managing one what was in circulation already a lot went to rag bank I’m replacing some of towels and sheets and all pillow and mattress toppers. We took all the new stuff I’ve bought and a lot of stuff from kitchen , books , board games, clean bedding and towels , most of topfloor storage cupboard contents we decluttered organised and packed in boxes recently plus labeled boxes camera etc equipment from DH study cupboards and guitars ,storage baskets what ever we could find to easily transport in our own car or he van . Will hire one again this weekend so need to get another load or two ready . I’m doing my clothes I don’t wear atm on they’re hangers in a bin bag straight into the next wardrobe , all my spare shoes mainly in their plastic shoeboxes they’re a quick thing to pack , more DH study boxes , rest of topfloor cupboard contents , kitchen stuff we don’t need for a few w I will continue to sift through it as we pack . Also can empty topfloor spare room second cupboard ( linen one is empty now ) of wrapping papers etc . DS could empty his desk drawers .
On Tuesday we had every one over at the new place abs deliveries too . We had the alarm guy ( asked about cameras will put them up our selves ), aircon and ventilation , shutters blinds and awning company , landscapers and some mattresses abd half the kids furniture arrived and the internet box too ( it’s not connected yeah ) . Only one thing got cancelled another furniture delivery for mainly downstairs I’ve now chased they were missing an item they’re now finding out about . Yesterday we had the snagging company abd they only found minor faults abs much less that usually in new builds , haven’t seen the report yet when I do we need to decide what we’ll ask the developer to fix they’ve done the en-suite door that wouldn’t close .
DH has tried to sign up to utility companies but the developer hasn’t yet signed them over so electricity at least got back to us saying that , water didn’t find our address so need to ask the developer about that . He tried to register for a garden waste bin but due to a nation wide truck driver shortage they’re not giving out any new so we’ll have to get a compost for them . We’ve gotten a quote to frost our front door windows waiting for a date now , we’ve now payed the deposit for the shutters and 2 blinds ( awning will go on in the spring for next summer ditto new garden furniture and a bigger barbecue), we’ve gotten back to landscapers to ask for an design app in oct , made an app with the water softener company , contacted the wardrobe people about getting extra shelves , I’ve asked if our old gardener covers the area . We’ve ordered the washing machine and dryer they’re coming next week , other appliances were in. Still need to get a second sofa maybe a chair for tv room , a dining table and chairs for the dining room , a piano , a tv fir over the fireplace and we decide to get a larder cupboard for the open plan kitchen to give us more storage I want empty counters and island ideally . Need to get garage storage sorted too with cupboards and shelves and some work benches for DH projects . We have to find a cleaner , the gardener and a window washer also remembered the solar panels we need to talk to them too . Dh think we don’t need to talk to the heating people though .
Both kids have had some medical appointments , dD is on a treatment for her Alopecia now and DS is starting something next week . My routine yearly blood test was cancelled due to the global test tube shortage 😳wtf , and I missed booking the first flu clinic app so now waiting for more to be decided on or the private go to get stock so our whole family can be done ( have to check with school if y5 still gets it at school ) . I have my yearly optician today otherwise I’ve cancelled things like meals out to concentrate on moving prep . I’ve cancelled Oct boarding for our dog I dont want to travel anywhere right after moving especially in these times with those immigration queues on return ! Still hoping to go to Finland in December though haven’t seen my family in 2,5 y by then ! I’m feeling incredibly stressed I feel like we won’t be done with all these bloody app stuff the new house deliveries abs packing in 2,5 w !!! Bar half the kids furniture abs half of a dresser none of our furniture has been delivered either now that they cancelled yesterday 🤬so I’m worried we’ll have no table and chairs to eat or any cupboards for our stuff ! Earlier our electricity went but thankfully it’s back and yesterday the washing machine leaked but DS noticed in time and I managed to deal with it myself so no harm done . I can’t take any more disasters atm or I’ll explode .

Oh yes the doggy daycare told me yesterday that there aren’t any places on any day in their doggy bus I depend on since I don’t drive but I’ve figured out a solution while we wait for a slot . The problem was that on tue it seemed that I can’t get a black taxi to our new house but I’ve now found taxi comp in the nearby bigger town that seems to have them so I’m hoping to book one for school run then I can take our dog in and pick him up on the school run hopefully 1/2 times a week when DH isn’t working from home and doing it .

@Nordicmom oh wow! Sounds stressful! Hope it gets easier for you!

A few more outs here today! Have got rid of some spare car window covers we had for DC, have sorted DD clothes and taken out all her Summer stuff as it won't fit next year (keeping for now till after the heat wave but out of the wardrobe so only use if needed), got DD bedroom tidied up while I was doing her clothes, was recycling day so got rid of all the Amazon boxes that have arrived in the last week or so that aren't good for anything but take up so much space, 8 cook books that I've never used because I'm extremely basic in my meal plan 😂, 5 dog toys that have seen better days (DDog1 is now not speaking to me), some of DH socks that have holes in yet refuses to throw out, our toaster that we've had for 2 years and used once!

Also got 2 birthdays coming up so got the gifts out of the cupboard and wrapped and are now sat in hallway ready for the parties!

Oh yes DH has put up temp blinds so far on most of ground floor except in utility and on a garage side door now waiting for more to arrive since our shutters will only go in in jan they take forever to get , he’s vacuumed with a new vac cleaner that’s amazing apparently and washed all ground floor floors on a new floor washer ( we’ve never had one this is good too ) need to do all the bathroom still upstairs, he’s mowed all the front and back lawns with a new small mower the old one broke need to still get a big one it’s a large area of grass . He’s also started building the kids furniture rest will come mid October . He’s drilled holes ready for the washing machine and drier installation next week . I’m glad he’s so handy when he has time ! He’s met two of the 3 next door and opposite neighbours so far but not the whole families hopefully they won’t be trouble !

Oh and we need a garden shed / bike storage too . thankfully will still have this house for 2 more months after moving out so not such a rush on that …

Welcome youdoyiuboo great start!

nordicmom are you packing / moving everything by yourself rather than using a professional company? Please put your feet up, you’re so busy!

elieq I’m glad you are seeing a difference.

Two outs today.

1. A kind of egg timer used to time how long toddlers brush their teeth. It’s been stuck on the main bath room tiles for about a decade but I can’t remember when we last used it.
2. Pretty sandals which give me blisters.

I also bought batteries from the pound store to check a toy I’m going to sell works. I always have a stock of cheap Kodak batteries in, its 8 for £1.

I sold a baby item and it was collected today. I recycled some old clothes and need to get them to the recycling bin this weekend.
I have a room which is supposed to be a study but has so much clutter there - if something doesn't have a home it ends up there. I plan to spend an hour there tomorrow.

Stealth we are packing by ourselves and taking smaller loads too Every time we need to go there for deliveries and appointments.a big moving truck will come on sun 26.9. To take all the furniture we’re keeping Inc garden ones and up to 50 Boxes plus disposing all our old furniture and a few mattresses . It worked well last time . We like to move in a bit by bit Rather than have one awful day and be in the middle of packed boxes until then or have someone else pack when I’m wanting to look through it all quickly while packing and not take any crap we don’t need with us to the nice new house . Luckily we decluttered a lot for several years before moving here 18 m ago and now more in the last 6 m so in theory should Not be so bad but I’m so tired that I could spend days just on the sofa or in bed easily .Also having to have things installed in a new house and replacing most of our furniture and some appliances is a lot of work in a hurry . Going anywhere wipes me out so a coffee with a friend and then going to the optician exhausted me and that’s all I’ve done today . Will try to find the energy and furiously pack up some shoeboxes etc Tonight while DH does more kitchen I need to see a big pile of boxes in the kitchen and livingroom ready to take in the weekend and empty cupboards here and I’ll feel better about it ! Also need to get some stuff ordered . Luckily DH will work tomorrow aft from home and take in DD to the bus and collect her (DS has on every other day ) so I haven’t had To do the school run here once yet for the past week .

Also we still have this rental house for two more months after the moving day so not so much pressure but we wanted to be out of here before any viewings the landlord wants to start then ( they wanted to earlier but we declined which was within our rights still ) . We can move garden stuff and the bikes Later plus DH will take some stuff to the dump and charity shop still and sell the bike box , then we’ll have this place thoroughly cleaned . I want to be otherwise Be fully moved on the moving day I am not planning to come back after that but to draw a line under it and move on mentally and physically .

We are still packing me in my bedroom doing the shoes I’ve so far decluttered just two pairs but I’ve gone through these things before already so this is an extra bonus . Atm am filling a third giant box but my shoes are in solid plastic boxes mainly so those take space . I think I’ll empty one wardrobe out of four of mine completely this weekend and more can go from others . I want to see empty spaces in this house then I’ll feel less panicky about this move and running out of time ! DH had some admin to do and is now packing a bit in the kitchen but he does have to get up early to do the school run and to go to work where as I can go back to sleep for a bit . I will have to do more in the day the clean laundry mountain is huge again but I think packing is now a priority . I want to try to fill two van loads in Sunday but there’s quite a lot of clippy boxes that need a quick check only and they can go So I think we can do it if we’ll take clothes From wardrobes and random baskets etc too maybe something from understairs cupboard can go too we organised it a while ago so that shouldn’t be too bad to pack it’s mainly in boxes already . Also the utility room in baskets and boxes and some of the long life food could go . God I wish I wasn’t in pain so much the sciatica is bad .

nordicmom we moved bit by but a couple of times and it is easier I was just worried with your poor health you’re doing too much! But I suppose once the big van has moved it’ll all be easier for you.

I have just tested the big toy I mentioned yesterday by putting new batteries in and it doesn’t work which means today’s out is a big robot toy. It took up a whole cube of the playroom furniture / shelves so makes an immediate difference.

Outs today include 3 crates of bits to the charity shop, and another 4 to the garage to sell at a later date! 😁
Someone is coming tomorrow morning to buy a huge set of draws so that combined with today's outs will make a huge difference

Couple of bags out to the charity shop today although had to go around 4 before I could drop off everything as they were all only taking certain things! Also binned a toy car with only 3 wheels and a load of rubbish from my car.

Have a couple more baby things packed and ready to go - a chair and a playgym so that will be 2 more biggish things out.

Nordic it sounds like you are crazy busy. I hope that you are finding some time to enjoy the new house as well.

Outs in the last couple of days:

Pair of modibodi period pants which I put my nail through and ripped. So annoying!

Paddling pool. In the bin. It’s worn and broken.

I've been through one big toy drawer and took a few bits to charity shop.

Also have been through the kids' wardrobes. They're still very little, so most likely won't fit into their current summer stuff next year. So that's all going to the charity shop.

I've identified some other bits for decluttering but I'll need to go to the tip as some of it is electrical.

I’ve found another ten books that can go, plus a toddler toy that I showed to dd2 just now and she broke it!

We’ve got a party on Sunday and I looked at our stash of potential presents and they seem too young for my dcs friends so I’ll sell them on Facebook close to Christmas.

Window film firm is coming in the week before moving in now as is the water softener company but they are just talking to us where as the film will go on hopefully . We got a response from the wardrobe company so ordering more shelves from them , our kitchen dining chairs were suddenly scheduled for delivery to the new house on Monday when no one’s there but now it’s been rescheduled to Tue when DH will go there . I’ll have to chase our cancelled Tue furniture delivery by a different firm again , someone called me when I was out at the optician yesterday and I just couldn’t hear them at all don’t know if it was the delivery firm . Developer answered about the utility companies DH couldn’t register with yet but I don’t know what they said he hadn’t had time to read it by then , our estate agent answered us that our buyers own flat sale was moving along towards completion end of the month ok and ours should be all in order so fingers crossed we will be done with it soon but I believe it when I see the money in my account !!! We’re in process of getting 2 van loads ready for sun as we speak luckily I have quite a lot of ready packed plastic storage boxes that need a minimal check that I want to keep it all and they can go also same from my husbands study . He continues to pack the kitchen . I think a lot can go from utility too .
I’ve gotten DS to do first floor dusting today and the stairs ,his own bed and towels the other day .in the weekend he’ll do topfloor and help dh to move stuff and build his own and DD furniture although also has an open morning he’ll help at school tomorrow and homework . I am trying to order more stuff we need although brains not working so we’ll with migraines and I’m always tired . Laundry pile still waits for folding . Haven’t even had a shower today yet so having one now finally

One out yesterday - another pair of PJ bottoms that had got frayed. I am a little sad as these were my favourite pair as they were very comfy! They were summer PJs so I probably won’t be able to buy a replacement yet, as the shops seem to be full of cosy winter PJs now.

Today I took another bag of DD’s clothes to the charity shop, but didn’t do any new decluttering. Glad to have got through the first week back at work/ DD back at school/ DH in his new job

Sorted old school grey uniforms for our local charity which distributes to families in need.

Got 4 bin bags of clothes for the local fire brigade who are collecting for Afghan refugees. I've divided the piles into female, male, boy & girl and the bundled them together by age/size.

Also, sold a load of mixed items last month at a car booty & made £80 profit. So not bad and will do another one before half term.

Haven't been here in five weeks, so lots of catching up to do. I've got some sort of decluttering block atm. Getting back to dealing with the items DS left here. And maybe now that LG is in secondary I can throw out the scribbles from nursery.

very little progress in the last few days as work picked up and I was suffering with migraines.

but feeling much better today and whilst DS is at sports club (am) and a birthday party (pm) I'm aiming to get all his clothes sorted and all his books.

if time permits I'll start on the board games too as that's overflowing from under his bed also.

No decluttering yet as I’m doing housework. Dc have friends over for our first sleepovers since covid. I thought it would take a few hours to make the airbeds up and get ready for tonight as usually I wonder around the house looking for the airbeds and pumps. Anyway thanks to my decluttering and tidying dd1 was able to find the bedding and towels immediately and I found the airbeds and pump in about a minute - they were put away neatly in the place they were meant to be - where I put them!

So I’m not trying to show off but just say that you might not think the little things make a difference but they do! I have saved hours today. One time we had a sleepover exh had to blow the bed up with his mouth, so I’m really pleased I don’t have to do that.