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Original poster

I’m doing the 31 Day declutter challenge

526 replies

Sallygoroundtheroses · 01/01/2023 12:13

I’ve done it before but not for a while. Despite a huge effort to declutter last year, the house is looking a bit chaotic again. So 1 item on day 1, 2 on day 2 etc.

I’m off to find an item…

OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
loislovesstewie · 02/01/2023 13:19

Empty boxes, old paperwork and some socks with holes!

loislovesstewie · 02/01/2023 13:20

Oh, forgot to add, a pair of unworn wellies, going to charity shop tomorrow.

healthadvice123 · 02/01/2023 13:29

Good idea i need to play catch up
Just thrown away a candle we have had for about 10-12 years which is dusty and dented, no good to give away and can't be recycled so in the bin unfortunately
Rest of things we have to get rid of can all be recycled or given away

fourmonthstogo · 02/01/2023 14:28

Today is the kids' advent calendars. Now no longer on display on the mantlepiece, empty.

What are people doing with items listed on ebay or similar? Are you counting them as one item once listed? I think I'll only count them once sold....

Bemyclementine · 02/01/2023 14:59

@CherrySocks last time I did it in reverse, 31 down yo 1. I found it easier that way.

@fourmonthstogo I added them as they left the house. Sone things don't sell or get collected. I'm having a 3 week limit on selling, if its not sold by then I'll donate/give away.

HiccupHorrendousHaddock · 02/01/2023 15:07

We were collecting cardboard for a project in the garden and realised actually, there other things better suited for that project. So now I have 6 weeks worth of flattened cardboard boxes to get rid of.

Timepasse · 02/01/2023 16:20

I’d like to join. I don’t hoard to the extent that Ch 4 would make a programme about my flat but I am have a problem with getting rid of things “that might come in useful” (!!!) like jars and clean empty fabric conditioner bottles and embroidery thread and …. etc etc.
I’ve found an old notebook which will be one of the items , marking out a line for each item every day. As I have already started sorting out photos I think I can manage 400 or so items. It will be good to have company.

Whatafielddayfortheheat · 02/01/2023 16:30

@Timepasse I hope you don't take offence at the question as I'm genuinely not trying to be goady or rude. I'm just genuinely interested- I understand jars and thread, but what on earth could be the use of fabric conditioner bottles?

Passthecake30 · 02/01/2023 17:04

Day 2-

  1. Xmas cards, cut into gift tags, rest in recycling
  2. hiking boots that I’ve had for about 20 years that rubbed my ankle bones, sold on eBay
Timepasse · 02/01/2023 17:09

Whatafielddayfortheheat · 02/01/2023 16:30

@Timepasse I hope you don't take offence at the question as I'm genuinely not trying to be goady or rude. I'm just genuinely interested- I understand jars and thread, but what on earth could be the use of fabric conditioner bottles?

I don’t mind you asking at all. I’m talking about the very large bottles with a handle ( blue Lenor !) I have a couple in my shed, washed out. There seem to be increasing problems with fixing water supply when there are problems, although I’ve never had a problem for more than a few hours there have been incidents locally where there was no water for days, last year some areas had no water for about ten days.
So just in case I keep a couple of strong bottles that could easily filled up and carried.
The key is sticking to two and not keeping a few more just in case, same as screw top jars.

Fleur405 · 02/01/2023 17:14

I’m into this. I definitely have more than 400 useless things. I may have to do it for more than one month!

Eileen101 · 02/01/2023 17:47

Day 2:

  1. Bundle of 2 items sold on vinted and dispatched.
  2. Bundle of coat hangers. Listed on Freecycle and olio - hoping there's a taker because I hate the idea of putting them in the bin.

Does anyone have any ideas for coat hangers Ive not thought of please?

wejammin · 02/01/2023 17:52

I'm aiming for 1000 things a year, or 85 things a month.

I also have bags in my wardrobe, I start a new bag each month and put in stuff I'm not sure about (usually kids' stuff that may or may not be a great "treasure") and I keep it for 6 months and if nothing in it has been needed or requested it gets binned or donated.

With 3 kids and lots of hobbies and random crap I reckon 1000 will be easy! It's just time I need.

I also have The eBay Cupboard of Doom to get through...

ChampagneCommunist · 02/01/2023 17:52

Eileen101 · 02/01/2023 17:47

Day 2:

  1. Bundle of 2 items sold on vinted and dispatched.
  2. Bundle of coat hangers. Listed on Freecycle and olio - hoping there's a taker because I hate the idea of putting them in the bin.

Does anyone have any ideas for coat hangers Ive not thought of please?

Wire ones - I would put in the metal recycling section at the tip.

mum2jakie · 02/01/2023 17:55

@Eileen101 some charity shops will be happy to take coat hangers

Day 2 - old bra binned. Need to find my second item after tea

mum2jakie · 02/01/2023 18:09

That didn't take long. Looked through the cereal cupboard whilst cooking tea and found the following packets of opened out of date cereal! That's another five items already so tomorrow's target is covered!

I’m doing the 31 Day declutter challenge
StarryGazeyEyes · 02/01/2023 18:20

wejammin I also have an Ebay cupboard of doom - it's where most of my decluttering goes to die. I've filled 2 massive boxes with stuff from dc room (with their agreement!) the last couple of days and am determined to get it sorted and gone before it finds it's way to the cupboard. The cupboard is mostly clothes so it's a case of girding one's loins and facing the endless ironing and photography to just getting it listed and gone.

CherrySocks · 02/01/2023 19:48

@Eileen101 Non-chain hotel rooms always seem to have not enough coat hangers in the wardrobes, but logistically I couldn't get mine to a hotel.

IpanemaPomegranate · 02/01/2023 20:08

Day 2, an old mascara and an almost finished tub of body cream from the body shop which I never really liked the smell of!

CantStandMeow · 02/01/2023 20:11

Like some others I'll be joining in but in fits and starts through the month. So long as 496 items leave the house by the end of the month I'm counting it as a win!

Day 1 - 64 clothing items to the donation bin near DC school
Day 2 - 1 stained vest in the bin

Total 65/496

SouperNoodle · 02/01/2023 20:20

I'm late to the party but will start tomorrow! My house is FULL of stuff I need to get rid of!

Sitoff · 02/01/2023 20:23

1 - Pinboard taken down and freecycled
2- Pair woollen socks with holes recycled
Ball of wool finally knitted and hat gifted

Mommabear20 · 02/01/2023 21:09

73 Christmas decorations boxed up ready to go to our storage unit until car boot sales restart in April! Also 8 gift boxes I have no use for, and a pile of craft stuff ready to go to my cousin for her DC. 🙌

noproblemifnot · 02/01/2023 21:18

@Eileen101 Dry cleaners are often happy to take coat hangers

BrewandBiscuit · 02/01/2023 21:25

Please can I join.
I saw this thread this evening and with it being bin/recycling day tomorrow, I was inspired!

20 items gone out the out from my desk and kitchen junk drawer. There were Christmas cards too which I didn’t count (approx 20) but I’ll keep them in the bank in case I struggle (which I’m sure I wont!)

Does the shed and outside count too? Loads to go out of there, even though I only decluttered it end of summer 🙃