I just found out how tidy people keep tidy!!!!!

[MrsBobDylan]

I have not felt this excited since I discovered sanitary towels can prevent new boot blisters.

You had better sit down.

Tidy people have less stuff. That's how they stay tidy.

No one bothered to tell me this life changing information. Bastards.

We are downsizing to a flat from a four bed house with a garage. I reckon I have donated/taken to the tip, at least half of the contents of our house.

We didn't need all that shit. I don't think I liked most of it.

Turns out, two mixing bowls is fine, 3 pans, 10 mugs, one duvet cover/pillowcase for each bed, no spare bedding for guests since they can bring their own, 6 bath towels, one coat each, three pairs of shoes each...I could go on.

Since decanting half of my house, it is lovely and tidy. I move a few things from room to room each day and clear the kitchen at the end of day. All manageable. I even have time for a nap on the sofa fgs.

Now my cupboards are not filled to the brim, I can PUT THINGS IN THEM.

The easiest and most satisfying clear out, was the knick knack cull. Photo frame we got for our wedding? Gone. Glass vase from my Uncle Harry? Gone. Mini collection of ornamental owls? Get in there!

It is easier to clean a house with less stuff in it. Surfaces get a quick wipe, floors are mopped without have to slalom round tables, chairs and plant stands.

If you have a friend who feels overwhelmed by keeping house, please pass this on.

You're welcome

[jelly79]

@MrsCardone 1 set of uniform?? Wow that's some skill! I have 1 DC just started school and need 5! I don't have enough washing to be washing it every night though.

[Higgeldypiggeldy35]

I found this too. I culled car loads of things before moving cities as I didn't want to pay to move shit. I have systematically gone through most rooms in the house and organised into nice storage and don't keep anything I don't use often. It's very liberating. The only rooms left to tackle at the garage and the office. I'm itching to get started on them but loads of kids stuff we are storing for our second child to use. I got properly addicted to Marie Kondo when I'm mat leave. I recommend watching it on Netflix.

[ImUninsultable]

I dont keep things. I keep really personal things of course but I dont like knick knacks and junk and 5 of each thing when I need 1. Lovely and tidy.

Then I had kids. And now every surface is covered in Lego because my main builds the seta and does not dismantle them or let them break about. So, hundreds of lego sets on every surface. Had to buy a side unit and 4 bookcases for the living room just for his Lego storage.

I dont have things. But a house full of lego is impossible to dust and tidy!

[Bigbouncingbaby]

I have a small house . When I lost the ex and his crap life was easier . I go to the tip at least once a month … constantly tidying and keep on top of crap . If I don’t use I loose . My under the stairs cuboard so empty that’s the dogs house / bed he loves it 🤣

[samwitwicky]

I have not felt this excited since I discovered sanitary towels can prevent new boot blisters.

I just bought new boots and they rub. Explain please!

[arootintootingoodtime]

Oh dear. I don't think I was ready to hear this

[Timetoretiretospain]

@TheFoundations

I think you'll regret it when it comes to the ornamental owls. I'd be lost without mine.

😂

[MrsBobDylan]

@ImUninsultable yes, Lego and child detritus is an impossible problem. One of my dc is very autistic and has enough Lego to build us a new four bed detached house.

[flippertyop]

We have so much shit. Every time we move to a bigger house we fill with more shit. I need to downsize and get rid

[samwitwicky]

@samwitwicky

I have not felt this excited since I discovered sanitary towels can prevent new boot blisters.

I just bought new boots and they rub. Explain please!

Never mind just read the full thread. Got too excited

[SisforSoppy]

The DC have one set of school uniform that I wash on a quick wash every night

@MrsCardone I didn’t know the daily washing of uniform was a thing until dc started their new school this term….and I don’t really get it. 1. What do your children do at school that requires the whole uniform to be washed every day and 2. If your DC are older and they need a fresh shirt every day it would far cheaper both on your household bills and the planet to buy another shirt.

[Thatsplentyjack]

Well we hired a skip before about a year ago and filled it to the brim, bit our tiny house is still packed with stuff, but I do need it or I would just have to buy it again.

[Redshoeblueshoe]

I swore blind that I was going to spend this week decluttering.
Today I binged on MAFSA. I think I need to get rid of the remote first

[CeeceeBloomingdale]

Haha, although I have to say I’m tidy AND have lots of stuff. I think it’s a case of having a home for everything AND putting it back in it’s home after use that is key. Obviously it’s easier with less stuff but also possible with lots of possessions.

[MrsBobDylan]

I know it seems bloody obvious and I had some cluttered in the past, but it takes more than that.

I am looking at everything now and thinking "do I need it". It won't be long before dh catches my eye I'm sure

[SheWoreYellow]

I don’t know, when we just had one set of bedding each it was a massive PITA to get it washed and dried same day.
But for some things yes, makes sense.

Our big issue is things that have no ‘home’ though. Piles of crap.

[Thatsplentyjack]

1. What do your children do at school that requires the whole uniform to be washed every day and

I honestly don't know. The first child wasn't bad. I could get 2 or sometimes even 3 days out of a uniform (and still can when he remembers deodorant) the second child is like a bloody wrecking ball and he not only makes himself manky but he leaves a train of mess and destruction behind him everytime he leaves a room.

[Thatsplentyjack]

Hes has also wrecked my garden! And yes, I have been trying to stop him since he was about 3, there is no stopping him. He's like a fucking ninja!

[Monsterpumpkins]

Once met a friend + dc quite a way away at a park. Within a few mins my dd fell over.. Friend whipped out a pad and whips up an instant dressing!! Thank goodness dd had no idea!

[MrsBobDylan]

@CeeceeBloomingdale I am naturally, chaotically untidy. In my 20s I was late for work and when I go back to my flat, thought I'd been burgled because it was such a mess.

My two sisters have stuff and are tidy like you. I just can seem to cope with anything above the bare minimum!

[LuluJakey1]

@MrsBobDylan

Yes, who wants guests?! My in laws are our only guests and they choose to bring their own bedding. I have camping sleeping bags for the dc to have their friends to stay.

You may be right about the ornamental owls...I kept my best one though.

Sanitary towel boots - Get a sanitary towels and use the sticky side to fix one of the back of your heel before you wear your new boots for the first time. No blisters, it's brilliant!

Does the sticky side go on the boot or on your foot? Do you use the whole sanitary towel? if so where does the rest go? Under your sole?

[NoDecentHandlesLeft]

The only thing I horde now is books.
I went ruthless a few years ago, it was very satisfying. Still not quite finished. I have a cupboard I've been meaning to do.

[HelloDulling]

One coat? No way. I wear a coat every day from October to April. I don’t want to look the same every day for seven months on the trot.

[1frenchfoodie]

One coat each and 3 pans? I think I’d rather untidyness than to freeze/boil in the coat and 3 pans is definately not enough for me. I did save space when downsizing recently by buying those pans with removable handles meaning 2x fruting pans and 3x pans fit n the same space as one large pan.

[NoDecentHandlesLeft]

@SisforSoppy

The DC have one set of school uniform that I wash on a quick wash every night

*@MrsCardone* I didn’t know the daily washing of uniform was a thing until dc started their new school this term….and I don’t really get it. 1. What do your children do at school that requires the whole uniform to be washed every day and 2. If your DC are older and they need a fresh shirt every day it would far cheaper both on your household bills and the planet to buy another shirt.

Thats what my mum did when we were kids.
Fresh shirt daily, the rest washed weekly. We did have spare trousers/skirt if we really needed a change, but not blazer/tie etc.