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Original poster

Complete house declutter - feeling overwhelmed

145 replies

foodiemum80 · 18/05/2023 12:26

Looking for some help and tips as to how to approach a complete house declutter please as I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.

I've never been a tidy person unfortunately but my husband left last year and the house just seems to have swallowed me up and gotten out of control. That, together with my messy mind is due tipping me over the edge. There is literally stuff everywhere. I have sweats about people coming to visit unannounced.

I'm taking a week off work soon and have organised a skip. I just don't know where to start. I've got my young kids on board and they are ready to help. Can anyone give me some advice?

OP posts:
worktired · 31/05/2023 10:54

Good luck OP! I did bedroom & one child's clothes yesterday.
Today is child's book sort

PermanentTemporary · 31/05/2023 11:21

Hope you've been able to make a good start today. A calm clear bedroom is amazing. Sadly I'm moving so am in the 'whole attic decanted into bedrooms' phase but am definitely seeing some progress.

Greenthread · 01/06/2023 12:22

Thank you for posting this thread. You have inspired me to start my house. We have so much stuff and I get so depressed about the state of our house. But nothing changes if nothing changes so I’m trying to do something about it. I cleared out some paperwork yesterday and filled the recycling bin. I have a bag of clothes to take to the charity shop. It’s a start.

strawberryurchin · 01/06/2023 13:15

hi everyone, this thread is keeping me motivated too. I've been trying to clear out a bag a day. or a small area each day. Surprised just how much stuff I have to get rid of!! and also being aware that keeping boxes for storage just encourages more storage of stuff, whether small boxes or containers or big ones. They are the kind of clutter you don't even realise!!

It is a lot of work but also worth it. Keeping momentum going daily also important.

Just how do we accumulate so much!???

Original poster
foodiemum80 · 01/06/2023 16:10

Hiya, I'm glad this thread is helping out others too. I can't believe how much I've thrown out but I have been really ruthless. House looks like it's been burgled because I've cleared all drawers and cupboards but not put anything back until I have a round 2 of throwing out. Skip is over half filled. Was hoping to be further on by this time in the week but I've still a few days before back to work.

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 01/06/2023 16:35

A half filled skip already - well done!!!

Redshoeblueshoe · 01/06/2023 16:35

Checking in on here is keeping me motivated. I've sorted a box for the charity shop today, and hoping to fill a bag of clothes.

fluffyfluffybunny · 01/06/2023 16:42

Sounds like you're doing an excellent job!

WateryDoom · 01/06/2023 16:46

I love @mathanxiety and the list!

That's exactly what I need to do.

TheMagicDeckchair · 01/06/2023 18:48

foodiemum80 · 01/06/2023 16:10

Hiya, I'm glad this thread is helping out others too. I can't believe how much I've thrown out but I have been really ruthless. House looks like it's been burgled because I've cleared all drawers and cupboards but not put anything back until I have a round 2 of throwing out. Skip is over half filled. Was hoping to be further on by this time in the week but I've still a few days before back to work.

Half a skip is incredible progress! We had a skip at work last week, I filled my boot with garage clutter to take and it only took the tiniest corner of the skip.

I know what you mean though- I’ve done a lot of decluttering recently (not easy to find time though with 2 toddlers) but I still feel like I have loads more to do. Like I’ve only managed maybe 10-15% progress perhaps? But it all helps, and once you’re able to navigate areas/assign proper homes etc you will start to see the benefits.

worktired · 01/06/2023 21:50

Brilliant work OP!

We've done a huge sort out of books - trying to get them out of the house and into the car (for the charity shop) as soon as the decision is made.

Wintry57 · 02/06/2023 13:16

Half a skip!! That’s great news - very jealous!! Thinking of talking DH into a weekend tip run

TriedTurningItOff · 02/06/2023 13:34

There are fantastic podcasts that will really help.

  • A Slob Comes Clean
  • The Art of Decluttering
  • Clutterbug
CremeEggThief · 02/06/2023 21:40

Just to add amazing progress, OP. Keep going! 😀

Original poster
foodiemum80 · 03/06/2023 07:34

Skip is nearly full now after a few bits of furniture have gone in it. I still feel like I have at least 25% more stuff than a normal household should. Hit a bit of a wall last night and it just still felt like a mammoth task. Having a coffee and getting back to it for a few hours before other commitments.

OP posts:
Wintry57 · 03/06/2023 07:47

That sounds amazing to me - I’d say a full skip was definitely the main objective met. You can go round a room at a time finessing the last amounts over time - inspirational!

fruitstick · 03/06/2023 07:57

I second just chucking it in the skip.

Yes we should all be reusing,recycling etc but cut yourself some slack.

My house is overrun with bags for charity shop, bags for Vinted etc and nobody wants any of it.

I drove round to 4 charity shops and no one was taking new stuff.

Make things as easy as possible for yourself and chuck it all in the skip and vow to not buy so much stuff once it's gone.

Augend23 · 03/06/2023 08:12

What about putting things away but with an eye to throwing out while you do it? You could have a box/massive bin bag and as you put everything away make another decision?

That way the house will be improving rather than still a tip, and hopefully getting back towards normal by the time you are back at work (especially if that is Monday?).

If you have anyone you can ring to give you a hand over the weekend I would recommend it. I would be very happy to help a friend like that and I had a friend who did and she helped me get rid of bags and bags of stuff.

RelentlessForwardProgress · 03/06/2023 08:26

foodiemum80 · 03/06/2023 07:34

Skip is nearly full now after a few bits of furniture have gone in it. I still feel like I have at least 25% more stuff than a normal household should. Hit a bit of a wall last night and it just still felt like a mammoth task. Having a coffee and getting back to it for a few hours before other commitments.

You are doing so well!!! I'm so inspired reading this thread.

When you say you feel like you have 25% more stuff than a normal household, do you mean, 25% more than you need or have room for? If so, can you get rid of one in 5 things as you put away? I have a terrible problem with cookbooks, I've got rid of hundred this year, and I did a big cull, and then when I was putting them back in bookcases, did a second mini cull where I said, OK, you've got ten baking books here, pick 8 and let 2 go, and it helped me get rid of a few more

Original poster
foodiemum80 · 03/06/2023 08:33

That's all really good advice, thank you. I think I've hit a wall because I've got to the tidying up part and that's what I struggle with the most. This mess almost feels normal to me. Horrible normal, but normal. I'm finding myself freezing a bit. Sitting down and staring in to space. It's hard to describe.

OP posts:
RelentlessForwardProgress · 03/06/2023 08:39

foodiemum80 · 03/06/2023 08:33

That's all really good advice, thank you. I think I've hit a wall because I've got to the tidying up part and that's what I struggle with the most. This mess almost feels normal to me. Horrible normal, but normal. I'm finding myself freezing a bit. Sitting down and staring in to space. It's hard to describe.

Can you try some music or a podcast to try and distract your brain so you are only half thinking about it maybe?. My go to is a radio 4 play on BBC sounds, I get quite internet and forget what a pain tidying is, but my friend always listens to a 24/7 christmas radio station on the internet when doing her cleaning, even in August, because she says it makes it bearable!

RelentlessForwardProgress · 03/06/2023 08:41

sorry, autocorrect, that should read, I get quite into it and forget what a pain tidying is!

Workyticket · 03/06/2023 08:56

I've just read all of this with a lump in my throat - you're doing so well! A full skip in just a few days is a huge achievement

Can you afford a trip to IKEA or similar for storage stuff to go in the cupboards and drawers?

Dh was really untidy - never put clean clothes away etc. We got some drawer dividers from IKEA and now he finds it way easier

I have boxes in the pantry too. 1 for water bottles and flasks, 1 for baking stuff, 1 for cereals etc. It means that emptying the dishwasher or unloading shopping is easier as I know that stuff just gets chucked into the right box

I also have a box under my bed for towels and 1 for bedding too

Original poster
foodiemum80 · 03/06/2023 10:00

My problem with storage is that if I can't see it, I forget it's there. For example, I have a bread bin, usually full of mouldy bread because I forget it's in there. I've found about 15 pairs of scissors in this clear up because I just buy new ones 🙈

OP posts:
strawberryurchin · 03/06/2023 10:02

@foodiemum80 the key to that is to allocate one place for scissors and make sure they always go back there. Not always easy but once you have way less stuff it will be much easier to action.