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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

decluttering

25 replies

santaclawzz · 12/12/2021 07:45

I really need a good kick up the arse to declutter today. I did the junk drawer in the kitchen yesterday, moved some bits around that I can access more easily. I've also (only just) vacuum packed away my summer dresses. It's a relief that it's done but the airing cupboard BADLY needs doing, it's stressing me out every time so open it.

I've tried the 'haven't used it for 6 months' and that kind of thing, but I also go 'oh but it's so nice, i'll wear it soon' and then i don't!! How can I be more ruthless when it comes to decluttering? I totally believe the 'clear house, clean mind' mantra. I feel so much better once my surroundings and tidy and clean.

OP posts:
IAmHereForTheFood · 12/12/2021 07:48

Following for tips.
When I think how we moved into our first house by just hiring a van compared to how much effort it took to move into the next 2 houses - why do we have so much stuff?!!

CuteOrangeElephant · 12/12/2021 07:48

For me reading Marie Kondo's book has helped immensely. But just to warn you: it has been a process of years and I have decluttered all the areas more than once.

Pinksloth · 12/12/2021 07:48

The only thing that worked for me was to set a timer on my phone and just do it for that period. For me it was fifteen minutes a day. I thought I could do anything for fifteen minutes. Once I started, it all seemed much more bearable.

sandgrown · 12/12/2021 07:49

I am not sure as I am the same but have a look at The Declutter Hub . They have a free podcast and occasional free online courses for inspiration. One thing I did do was get rid of boxes I had kept for things like electrical items . It made a lot of space.

Fritilleries · 12/12/2021 07:50

Take everything and put it on the floor. Imagine you're in a shop. Would you buy any of the items because you love them? Or find them useful? Be ruthless.

Fleur405 · 12/12/2021 10:51

Like previous poster the thing which works best for me is to set a timer - maybe 30 minutes (but anything is better than nithing), put a favourite playlist on and just tackle a particular space. Otherwise it all just seems so unachievable!

Original poster
santaclawzz · 13/12/2021 07:14

I'm gonna set a timer today and throw on some Christmas music. I got a good bit done yesterday - 3 black bags leaving the house... 5 duvet sets, 3 coats, 4 towels, shoes, flat sheets and blankets. It's definitely the most ruthless I've ever been, don't know what came over me 😂

I'm going to try to tackle more of the kids toys today.

OP posts:
Clymene · 13/12/2021 07:18

What are you going to do with it all? This is what I struggle with. I don't want to contribute to landfill any more than I already do

Original poster
santaclawzz · 13/12/2021 07:28

@Clymene

What are you going to do with it all? This is what I struggle with. I don't want to contribute to landfill any more than I already do
I'll chuck the towels but will donate the rest to a charity shop. They're not taking toys at the moment here so I'll list them on a buy/sell website for free just to get them out of the house before Santa visits
OP posts:
Puppylovetheycallit · 13/12/2021 07:30

I think vets/animal shelters would take the towels for bedding.

Original poster
santaclawzz · 13/12/2021 07:42

@Puppylovetheycallit

I think vets/animal shelters would take the towels for bedding.
That's a great idea, there is a vet near by so I'll offer the towels to them. Thank you
OP posts:
StarfishDish · 23/12/2021 23:24

@santaclawzz Have you watched 'Sort your life out' on BBC? Its with Stacey Soloman and goodness me, its really motivated me! Xmas Smile

InvincibleInvisibility · 28/12/2021 18:40

I never managed a good declutter before discovering Joshua Becker's youtube series on minimalism. It changed my mindset and made a huge difference.

FlipFlops4Me · 30/12/2021 07:45

Another vote for Joshua Becker. I watch his Youtubes and have bought his books (on Kindle, to save clutter Grin)

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 30/12/2021 07:54

Pretend you are moving house. Could you be bothered to pack,move and unpack everything you touch? Would you use/need it ever again ? If not get rid of it. Works for me.

Crowdfundingforcake · 30/12/2021 08:03

Yup, moving house is a great motivator. We decluttered as we were packing and are going to declutter again when we unpack.

userxx · 30/12/2021 08:17

My local H&M takes old clothes, shoes and sheets in any condition, pretty sure you get £5 voucher. Have a Google.

Aderyn21 · 30/12/2021 10:43

You don't believe in getting rid of things that you like but just haven't worn for ages. So long as they fit you. I think you'll regret ditching nice clothes if you could vacuum pack and store them.
My tip is to do the thing you dread most because put it off and having it in your mind is worse than doing.
And get rid of the rubbish straight away - do a tip run or charity shop immediately or it seeps back in

TFMinx · 30/12/2021 19:52

I’ve just sorted through our mountain of paperwork. My goodness, we’ve kept so much of it unnecessarily and it took hours, but it feels so good! I think my dining room/office/dumping ground can finally breathe again.

EightNationNavy · 30/12/2021 20:07

My tip is start sorting out something on a scheduled, regular basis. Get into the habit. Even if on a particular day, you do no more than throw out 6 envelopes, it all adds up. Half a drawer today, a few ancient underpants tomorrow, going through a box of old letters and chucking 10% of them, it all adds up over the year. Don't be too exacting - otherwise you risk putting yourself off. Better to feebly chuck out 5% of whatever you're tackling that day but keep going day after day, than have a big, traumatic checkout and then not do anything for the rest of the year.

fuckyourpronouns · 30/12/2021 20:35

I find doing something whilst the kettle boils is a good motivator. Put the kettle on. It'll take 90 seconds or so to boil. What can you do in that time?
Empty a drawer, wipe the sides, clear a table (and bin anything that doesn't have a home!) etc

I get one of the large bag for life and sweep anything off any surface into one. The only thjngs that are on the sideboard or dining table are what are supposed to be there. Take one for each room. Put everything in it that doesn't have a home. Or even does have a home but isn't in it! Then I sort through those bags whilst the kettle boils.

Tenam · 30/12/2021 22:33

I’ve found a declutter365 thing which basically deals with one thing or area every day. She suggests 15 minutes a day.

Annoyingly the emails and website are very cluttered though which makes it less user friendly

Dinosauraddict · 01/01/2022 09:24

That made me laugh @Tenam ! For me what is working is constantly asking myself 'do I want DS to grow up surrounded by mess and clutter'? The answer is always no, so that drives my blitzing. I have also noticed really positive differences to my MH since I've been de-cluttering (for me I love Dilly Carter and Marie Kondo now)!

vickylou78 · 02/01/2022 23:41

I've been listening to 'A Slob Comes Clean' Dana K White. She does you tube videos (as Dana K White) and her blog and podcasts are a slob comes clean. She has really inspired me. Definitely recommend!

She goes through in detail how to declutter and has a 5 step process to do it and I find it way easier than Marie kondo. Her method also is a no mess method so you don't have to drag everything out and can stop at any time (but you make progress for as long as you do it).

vickylou78 · 02/01/2022 23:51

Oh and also try 'the minimal mom' she has some great you tube videos on decluttering a wardrobe and decidung how many clothes to keep.

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