Decluttering thread 7 - as the days lengthen we’ll feel more motivated to declutter

[stealthninjamum]

Sorry for the long thread title, I’ve just seen that the old thread has reached 1,000 posts.

For newbies this thread and the old one a day threads are for a group of mumsnetters who are decluttering. We’ll share tips and advice and inevitably the conversation moves on to organisation tips, pretty storage solutions and persuading our families to join in.

We’re all at different stages of decluttering so join us for support and chat.

3 pairs of unsuitable knickers and 5 carrier bags that I had hanging around "just in case" goes out today. Total is 2079

Not much done today but another vinted parcel gone and another sale today.

Will try to take a batch of things up to the baby bank this week.

I decluttered a load of birthday cake candles. It felt really wasteful but some had bits of cake stuck to them and they were all different sizes.

Just checking in. No big areas tackled but up to date with all the usual rags, paper recycling etc. Parcelled up dishes sold on eBay need to drop off later. Sone has put his foot through a sheet somehow but I will replace that so neutral.

We went away over Easter and I might have bought the kids more clothes! That's OK as it was all needed - but I did buy myself three kimonos I possibly don't need. Just saw the light cotton nightgown and wanted them. Opps!

Only one child went back today so I'm tidying, sorting and cleaning as I'm always behind after a school holiday. Going to concentrate on tidying this week. I think once everything is put away I can see what needs attention better.

I do need to do my boys bedding and my bedroom really. But both boys are still off from school

Hello all

I love seeing all your decluttering updates at the weekends, really does motivate me to join in and spend at least half an hour each weekend tackling our junk. Going to try and start this weekend.

Today, rummaging through my undies drawer and bypassing a three sad old bras as usual, I hoiked them out and binned them. I never choose them... they are tatty... so why are they clogging up my drawer?

So that's 3! But it feels good to start.

Welcome @reallytimetodeclutter that sounds like a great start. Always nice to grab out something knowing it will fit and be comfortable. I had too many bras. I'm not buying any more until I'm down a few more. I find the underwire ones take up lots of room too.

One pot of face serum capsules used up. Lots of face stuff left. Total is 2080

Jobs (keeping here for now as have a few days off when they might get done):

1. hang up as many pictures as poss/get rid of some
2. decide about the shelves we used to have as cat shelves/put up or get rid - DD doesn’t want them so will prob get rid.
3. drop off too small dance clothes to a friend
4. scout badges x 6 onto DDs blanket (long overdue job)

Not quite outs yet:
3 dresses on vinted - one sold, need to post - one posted ✅
sit up exercise thing to be collected - changed to Friday…no update from collector - still trying to get rid… Finally Gone ✅
DDs old wardrobe - will drop off next week

Also out:
6 x random tut from DD’s exit box to the bin.

478+6=484

Took a bag of textile recycling in today - been collecting stuff into it since Jan. Mainly worn-out socks but also some stained school jumpers and trousers with holes in the knees. Total of 18 things. Also out a set of beads from a necklace I broke years ago and was realistically never going to re-string; a small plastic storage pouch; ugly greetings card from my card collection

Total is 667

Finally got a simple but annoying job done, the friend only lives round the corner.

Jobs (keeping here for now as have a few days off when they might get done):

1. hang up as many pictures as poss/get rid of some
2. decide about the shelves we used to have as cat shelves/put up or get rid - DD doesn’t want them so will prob get rid.
3. drop off (2) too small dance clothes to a friend DONE! ✅
4. scout badges x 6 onto DDs blanket (long overdue job)

Not quite outs yet:
DDs old wardrobe - will drop off to friend next week

484+2=486

Well done @LivingInaBuiltSite it’s good to get a job done. I just did an outstanding job. I arranged for a locksmith to fix a lock in the side door to my garage. I’ve been meaning to fix it til 2019!

edit - wondering if outstanding is the right word. Long standing perhaps?

One eye cream used up. A few left. Total is 2081

A few bits gathered up again and I have gone through some more of DD spare shoes from the attic and her wardrobe . I found yet more unused small ones and some old small ones , even 2 pairs of new wellies seem to already be too small which is very annoying . In addition I have several more pairs of shoes put aside to try on in the weekend when she’s back from boarding a couple of days . Also will subject her to a trying on session of some summer dresses etc to put away any small and get the bigger ones into use from the attic .
. Have some new clothes to try on
too and some returns to make on Sat I’m sure . I also went through my pants and socks and some uncomfortable or old ones out from there . I need to go through bras next and am earmarking a bunch of my pyjama bottoms and tops to go soon too once I find enough substitutes. I’ll also need to remove some of DD winter costs that were earmarked to go earlier ,they won’t fit next year and she has a few bigger ones instead . i think I have also decided to declutter a little side table from the tv room . I will make a final decision after I’ll look at the old and new for a day or two side by side but I think I’ve decided . Not sure if it’ll go on Olio or dump its rattan but not quite 100% condition . Still have the damn loose Lego to put on it too . Holidays I was all ill and busy packing and unpacking others to go on their many trips while I got to stay home sick and clean , do laundry and look after the dog grrrr so nothing else got done really . We have now managed to book two next trips for summer though . One to see my family again hopefully I’ll make it this time ,and another long haul beach one I’ll wait and see if I’ll make it to since our recent years travel record is abysmal with so many things going wrong it’s getting ridiculous ! Then hoping to secure a long planned trip in the winter . For years been doing things always so last minute I’d love to change that .
DH also needs to sort out the bin pile in the garage since he was away . He’ll need to go to the dump with rag bank etc stuff this weekend .

Out :

• 23 pairs of small pants
• 2 old bra pads
• 3 pairs of socks
• 1 old duvet
• 1 pair of DD small old UGG boots
• 1 -2 pairs of DD small welly boots
• 1 side table
• DD small new snow boots
• 1 old dog bed
• 2 pairs of DD new small trainers
• 1 pair of DD old small trainers
• 1 old oven glove (+ 1 more earmarked to go once I see the new double glove is ok )

I’ll have to check that I’ve included everything before counting the new total …

And a few more

• DS old snow boots
• 1 sleep mask
• 2 broken lamps
• 10 grubby dog toys

New total is 803 I think

@stealthninjamum outstanding for getting it done, maybe?

Off to France for the weekend for my sister’s wedding so nothing doing this weekend.

Jobs (keeping here for now as have a few days off when they might get done):

1. hang up as many pictures as poss/get rid of some
2. decide about the shelves we used to have as cat shelves/put up or get rid - DD doesn’t want them so will prob get rid.
3. scout badges x 6 onto DDs blanket (long overdue job)

Not quite outs yet:
DDs old wardrobe - will drop off to friend next week
1 big cuddly toy to drop off at a friends
some kids books to another friend, don’t know when though

Out:
8 x cuddly toys from DD’s exit pile collected today
holey DS trousers into recycling
holey pants of mine into recycling (have got rid of so many that I did actually buy some new yesterday)
486+10=496

DD’s 13th birthday this weekend too, so stuff will be coming in sadly!

Packing for Ds2, out go 6 tatty pairs of pants and a pair of knackered socks.

496+7=503

3 babygrows and a pack of bibs sold on vinted. That’s 5 outs including the box I managed to reuse!

Not much else going at the moment. Just day to day trying not to let the junk and clutter build up.

I have made a start with the kitchen, but it's been a busy week at work, so only managed to get rid of some out of date tins (including some that had expired in 2018...).

Like @stealthninjamum , I also keep finding birthday candles, so I have binned another lot.

A couple of DVD’s and some ornaments Need to be more ruthless, but I just can’t (they might come in handy one day!!
God only knows why, because I have no idea what I have.

Decluttered today

• One coat with a worn out lining. Feel a bit sad about that. It was a birthday present ages ago.
• one sweatshirt that's too small.

Total is 2083

-5 of my old pyjama tops to rag bank
-1 DD small jacket to charity shop
Can’t wait to try on the pile of shoes and clothes with DD when she’s back so I can get them out of here if too small …

Charity bag out yesterday. Pair of jeans, hoody and about 10 t shirts. And a brand new pair of trainers bought for dds first year at big school. She's 17. Reminds me, must find the twice used school football boots.
Dvds still on the side to go. Might have another look at what's left in the cupboard before they go in case there's more to add.

The garage lock is fixed! It’s been on my to do list since before covid! It’ll make it so much easier to tidy the garage and put gardening tools away.

i have also thrown away a broken lampshade. It was on a table lamp that I still love so I’m going to buy a new shade and keep it. When I’ve finished with the Lego I might put it in the playroom.

I’m also thinking of buying a new label maker as my other one was broken. It’s because I bought another shallow storage box for my larder cupboard. My life is so much easier as I have separated cooking oils and vinegars and now I’d like to have condiments and sauces in separate boxes too.

Passed on 13 baby items of clothes to someone, one book to charity shop and a load of baby bottle tops etc that baby has put grown also gone.

total up to 1382, might aim to make it 1400 by end of weekend