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Original poster

Decluttering Club thread 20(22)!

992 replies

Mommabear20 · 01/01/2022 07:50

Let's go!

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9
londonmummy1966 · 27/02/2022 14:37

I've done very little this week as I've enjoyed having DD2 at home. I am promising myself I'll be back on it next week. I have however splurged on a new bed as the one I have is a bit creaky. Now need to find somewhere to donate it to when the new one arrives.

A couple of things that helped me declutter last year which might help some of you here.

@FurBabyMum02 - when I redid all my hanging stuff I used the reverse hanger method where I rehung everything with the hangers facing out rather than in. When I wear something I replace it with the hanger facing normally. It is starting to give me an idea of what I actually wear although the advice is to review after 6 months and a year to give a decent stretch of time.

@LivingDeadGirlUK - when I decluttered the Dc's craft stuff I offered mums on a local email group the chance to bring along a bag and fill it. I got rid of huge amounts that way (and gained a delightful thank you card from one boy which was made with things I had given him...)

FurBabyMum02 · 27/02/2022 15:17

@londonmummy1966 that's what I've started to do. I swapped them all round at christmas but then I've thought actually there's stuff in there I can just get rid of straight away so I'm doing that now and replacing with the matching hangers if I know it's something I love and feel confident in and just havnt worn yet (summer stuff or work stuff while I'm on maternity leave)

EllieQ · 28/02/2022 07:02

No actual decluttering yesterday, but I did have a sort through the bag of clothes in the bottom of DD’s wardrobe. Discovered I had already bought school shirts and PE joggers in the next size up - if I hadn’t checked, I would have just bought some more this week as she’s grown out of her current ones. Also went through the summer dresses and tops in there from last summer, bagged them up, and labelled the bags. Suspect she will have grown out of them all, but I’ll need to check. I feel very organised and can plan what new clothes she will need Smile

LivingDeadGirlUK · 28/02/2022 21:10

4 toddler jigsaw puzzles given away today. It's been so busy at work so nice to know I still managed something!

WildPoinsettia · 28/02/2022 21:24

Every bit helps Living Dead Girl

Today's out: a bag of bags. Because nobody needs that many carrier bags.

Alrightqueenie · 01/03/2022 06:18

@londonmummy1966

I've done very little this week as I've enjoyed having DD2 at home. I am promising myself I'll be back on it next week. I have however splurged on a new bed as the one I have is a bit creaky. Now need to find somewhere to donate it to when the new one arrives.

A couple of things that helped me declutter last year which might help some of you here.

@FurBabyMum02 - when I redid all my hanging stuff I used the reverse hanger method where I rehung everything with the hangers facing out rather than in. When I wear something I replace it with the hanger facing normally. It is starting to give me an idea of what I actually wear although the advice is to review after 6 months and a year to give a decent stretch of time.

@LivingDeadGirlUK - when I decluttered the Dc's craft stuff I offered mums on a local email group the chance to bring along a bag and fill it. I got rid of huge amounts that way (and gained a delightful thank you card from one boy which was made with things I had given him...)

@londonmummy1966 you can donate your old furniture and beds to the British Heart Foundation They will collect your old bed free of charge.
Pineappleapple · 01/03/2022 07:34

A few little bits done on sunday, a pair of insoles, pair of trainers, a mug.
Think I have done the first pass in my obvious places and it's getting harder as the easier wins aren't there.
We don't have a tool box, we just have a drawer upstairs and I keep looking at that thinking it needs sorting but that one feels a tricky one. I can't pull everything out as I don't want the toddler to see it all, and the drawer is too full to even shut properly sometimes. Moved lightbulbs into a less full drawer so at least it's a bit easier. Sure some stuff could go.
4 t-shirts out yesterday. Annoyingly they were in a pile and I think I'd already sorted them.

londonmummy1966 · 01/03/2022 21:08

@Alrightqueenie - thank you - I might - we also have an organisation called Shaftesbury here that you donate furniture to and then people in need can come and "shop" in their warehouse for free. But trying them to collect donations is like pulling teeth!

Deathraystare · 02/03/2022 11:03

(Blush) I think I have found my people. I am a shocker at untidiness. Always losing things, then turning my place upside down looking for stuff. I only live in one room!!

I have made a start filling two boxes to go under the bed (one for clothing, one for bedding). I will need to get more of those vacuum bags for clothing. I had a clothes rack come but have still to put it together!

I suppose I should also sort out my books too.

So much to do etc etc. I shall never be minimalistic that's for sure.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 02/03/2022 19:24

Today's out is an item of clothing, packed off after being sold on Vinted.

Nordicmom · 03/03/2022 02:58

I’ve been missing in action for a bit again .
Since the last time DH managed to take a lot of the kids clothes bags etc to a charity shop near where we used to live when he went there anyway . He keeps on carting stuff to the dump at a steady pace .after finishing the kids clothes at least all that we’ve found from here so far , I did the under stairs cupboard . Even though we just moved here a few months ago it had gotten messy again and I found a pile of shoes etc to get rid of . Then I went through the fridge again DH was supposed to have cleaned properly last week and I found lots of old fruit he hadn’t gotten rid of and cleaned veg and fruit drawers . Otherwise it stayed in order since last week , I plan to keep it that way and waste less food . I also did the freezer and a a small pile was throw away but most I just organised . Apparently DH has progressed in emptying the storage boxes into his new garage drawers and cupboards and he’s decluttering a bunch of those next . Still waiting for the current colour garage cabinet to be delivered and the old one collected . They’re hopelessly slow but this should be the last one thankfully . I need to go back to the attic room and continue there so we can start on the storage locker .

FurBabyMum02 · 03/03/2022 08:02

Feels good to get decluttered stuff out of the house. DH did a tip run yesterday and got rid of the old tumble dryer and a few bags of rubbish and also took 3 bags of clothes and teddies to the appeal for the Ukraine refugees. Someone should be coming today to collect 2 bags of coathangers that I put on a local pay it forward site.

londonmummy1966 · 03/03/2022 23:18

Not done a lot this week but listed a few more items on ebay and had a few more sales over the course of the week. Last 2 to go out tomorrow. Finally managed to finish sorting out the jewellery as I had both DC at the weekend. It is all now neatly sorted in organza bags of different colours and sizes. They seem to have acquired quite a few of my pieces......

My new bed arrived today - it is lovely. After looking around and finding a lot of the local charities want to charge you £25 per item to give stuff away I have filled in a form for BHF to collect the old bed and a couple of desks. Hopefully they'll go next week sometime.

I now have to get rid of the assorted items found lurking under the bed Blush

Nordicmom · 04/03/2022 01:55

Oh and DH also took a load to the food bank so that’s out of here too !

Alrightqueenie · 04/03/2022 06:23

I did an initial deep clean and declutter
shoving everything in the under stairs cupboard ahead of estate agent photos shoot on Mon. I will sort the cupboard this weekend and donate or dump broken items. I just shoved things in the cupboard to see how much space I have & how to stage the living room.

I will book a cleaning company in before viewing day to give the place a thorough clean. The porch, kitchen and bathroom are the high traffic points in my house so the grubbiest.

londonmummy1966 · 04/03/2022 19:09

Went through the drawers of a desk that I am hoping BHF will take next week. Not a lot of things in them and most could go in the sewing cupboard. Have a small charity shop bag so will sit on it for a bit until it is a little fuller.

Spent the afternoon photographing and listing some costume jewellery on ebay. Had an offer on one piece within 5 minutes of it going live!

Had an email from Thrift+ to say that one of my bags is now live - hoping for some sales as the charity it is supporting does a huge amount of work in preventing food waste and feeding people on a daily basis.

Pineappleapple · 04/03/2022 21:10

I definitely feel I need a bit of a focus, when I get a bit of time i don't know where to aim for. Yesterday I did ok though, sorted some baby clothes to give back to a friend and some leggings gone too. Took pics of a toy Yest and listed it today.

Nordicmom · 05/03/2022 01:25

I’m wondering if I could make it up to the attic this weekend so organising that would eventually end ?! DH wrong colour garage set of drawers was collected in one truck and just as he’d lost all hope of the correct one coming any time soon it did . This weekend he can then take several wooden pallets to dump with other packaging from the garage furniture and some of the storage boxes he’s been unpacking into the drawers and cabinets so that’s progress . I’m pissed off about the garden shed still not being up and all the bikes , lawnmowers etc taking up space in the garage though .can’t wait for them to go away and for DH to sell his motorcycle he never uses. There’s an old office chair to list too . Will be a busy weekend as usual but maybe he could list the chair that’d be great !

Gassylady · 05/03/2022 08:22

Just checking in with little to report. I have two vaccum storage bags of clothes in a bedroom cupboard. Keep opening the door deeing them and then closing the door! These clothes are mine cant even truly remember what is in there but they are definitely two or three sizes smaller than i currently am. Sure there will be some stuff i wouldnt wear even if it did fit as fashions change etc but just can’t bring myself to get them down and unzip!

Alrightqueenie · 05/03/2022 08:48

Get the clothes down from the cupboard, unzip them straight into a charity donation bag and out of the house. Don't waste time thinking about it.

EllieQ · 05/03/2022 08:59

Welcome @Deathraystare! Sounds like you’ve made a good start.

No decluttering here during the week, as usual. I have another bag of textiles to go to the charity bank, but my usual one has been full all week (I walk past it on the school run so can check it every day).

Today I am going to:

  • Bag up DD’s old school uniform to drop into school on Monday.
  • Take am some books to the Oxfam bookshop this afternoon (and try not to buy any more while I’m there).
  • Ask DH to take the plastics recycling to the supermarket with the collection points - this is stuff like yoghurt pots that isn’t collected by the council but can be recycled elsewhere.
  • Take photos and post one item (DD’s old coat) on FB marketplace.

All seems achievable!

8stone13 · 05/03/2022 13:45

Hello all 🙂

Life has been so busy I've hardly had time to post, but I have kept decluttering. Several more items have been sold & yesterday I had my defunct washing machine & the old water tank cylinder that was taken out in Feb 2021 collected by a local scrap man.

House is looking so much clearer these days.

Pineappleapple · 05/03/2022 13:53

Gassy lady I had similar, pre baby clothes. When I got them out I realised I didn't even like them any more! My style had changed so didn't even try most of then on. If you can be brutal get rid of them without looking, if not pick 2 things out each day and decide on them. Bet you will get rid of more than you expect!

EmmaH2022 · 05/03/2022 15:14

Hi all
Is this the rught thread for some accountability help?

Apologies, irrational rant incoming

I live alone and I know a lot of people think that's minimal housework but it feels endless. I live in a small flat and work here too.

I have made a lot of progress decluttering and streamlining but still have lots more to do. I feel like ordinary housework is just really hard to organise. I work shifts too.

Can I post here for some accountability? In the next two hours, I need to tidy, dust and vacuum. I have removed out of date stuff from the cupboards today.

I used to be so organised 20 years ago. I'd like to say I don't know what happened but I think the answer is the internet! Blush

Gassylady · 05/03/2022 15:46

Thanks for the nudges. I still haven’t opened to vacuum bags but I have tackled a storage box of trousers. Five pairs of low rise jeans/chinos into charity pile. Several pairs into circulation and some crops back into the box in the hope of warmer days. Will try one of the bags later after cooking supper