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.

One body scrub used up. Total is 2124

@LivingInaBuiltSite We ditched the Haribo but are now powering through last year’s mini eggs and a rather questionable box of Milk Tray

Actually it wasn’t so bad and we now have a couple more bags for the charity shop. Also moved some bits of furniture around in the bedroom and went through this weird pink faux Kallax thing which was full of all sorts of crap and got rid of some of it. I actually threw away a book, which is very off-brand for me, but the binding was completely unglued and the pages were all falling out. Not really an out because I am going to replace it!

Been mainly trying to stay on top of daily and weekly jobs here but both me and DH poorly in general so it’s a bit of a struggle . We had DD’s birthday so that took precedence over most things and there were some ins but I did a big clear out in her room before Christmas and things are steadily heading out as I spot them so it’s ok . Also no kids party yet . Otherwise I have been trying to tick off admin tasks from the long list and book some house maintenance jobs in which there are many outstanding atm and now my aircon will need to be dealt with earlier than usual in the year . its been problematic and needs a through clean by a professional I suspect then hopefully working again . It leaked down a wall today and there might be a stain this time aaarghhh . Dog also a bit unwell and I have to go out to a medical appointment tomorrow so have to keep fx for no mess to clean up on my return . I wish I had energy and time to sit down and go through things in the attic for instance but I have so much daily and weekly maintenance to do that that’s impossible atm . Laundry baskets of clean clothes to fold and a mountain waiting to be washed in the utility room for instance . I have to try to catch up with cleaning and admin with DH this week and grab things as I go in the meantime .
oh and the second broken milk frother came back to life so that’s been reinstated into use and now I have a spare one . Have to take it off my total .

A few bits out :
-2 DD finished books
-1 unused wrong colour concealer
-1 old Ping Pong table cover
-1 pair of discoloured socks
-1 DD magic kit earmarked she never touches
-1 old medicine packet
-1 DD old music folder
Also earmarking more of my old pyjama tops will have to count how many later …

New total 837+8=845

Three empty boxes recycled and a bathmat donated. Total is 2128

Ooh I like this! Currently on mat leave and targeting to finally deal with the last four boxes in the conservatory from our move.
Target for this month and next:

1. Sort out all admin and shred unneeded docs
2. Get rid of maternity clothes
3. Sort through sock & undies drawer
4. Either mend or dispose of dress
5. Reorganize kitchen, I did a partial out of date sort out a few weeks ago but think there is still more that could be done to optimize the space.

I’ve not been doing much decluttering, mainly the usual tidying and seeing if I spot things that can go. So today’s out is an empty Duplo box (I got rid of the set before Christmas). I also tidied the playroom to create a space for the Lego sorting.

i found some old toys that dc were happy to get rid of and put them for sale. I’ve already had time wasters!

Omg, just stumbled across this thread and wanted to say thanks so much for bringing the Toss app into my life, this is just the prompt I need! This weekend I finally emptied a storage unit that was costing £££! I sold some furniture that will never fit in this house. I have a large pile of paperwork for the shredder and a big box full went into recycling. Another trip to the tip today.

I have slowed down as well. Have posted a couple of items on ebay and got rid of a few odds and ends from the kitchen, but have almost run out of small items to sift.

While that is progress, it means I now have to dismantle the wardrobes and shelves I have emptied...

In the meantime, I sympathize with the poster who has been "gifted" a ton of biros. We seem to have them in every drawer and desk. I have found out that they can be recycled at Ryman stores, though, so you could try that.

@stickypoint thats an impressive list. Feel I need a lie down just after reading it! Few more DVDs and books into charity bag along with two wooden push together models that never got built.

@Carpedimum well done on clearing the whole unit, money saved by Decluttering!

@SydneyCarton lol at your chocolate decluttering 😂

Made it to the charity shop, two trolleys worth (next to a supermarket), rounding it up to 80 items including boxes and bags.

DH went to the tip with last bits of demolished wardrobes and knackered sofa. Although he’s kept hold of the sofa cushions (also knackered!) as he says he’s going to use them to re stuff our other ancient sofa. 🤔 I just want to get a new sofa!

Jobs:

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. get rid of ancient knackered sofa - In car ready for tip - GONE! ✅

Not quite outs yet:

1 big cuddly toy to drop off at a friends
more stuff on Vinted
21 items in a Music Magpie box but waiting for password reset email to actually confirm sale
pile of Allen keys - someone due to collect on Tuesday

Out:
577 + sofa + charity = 658

An empty box and 5 catalogues recycled. Total is 2133

@LivingInaBuiltSite good news about the sofa. Where’s your dh keeping the cushions? Could you create some ‘mouse droppings’ on them by painting grains of rice brown and then a few mouse holes? Sometimes we have to resort to these tactics. My ex kept a manky settee in the garage for ten years. He only got rid of it because we had a flood in the garage - happiest day of my life as it also meant we had to get rid of two computers and a broken washing machine he’d been hoarding.

I have had such a good day. I have filled a charity shop bag and a rubbish sack with old toys and bits of crap. I also chucked out 8 pairs of holey tights and as I type this dd1 is chucking out a load of old socks. I won’t buy her new ones til she presents me with a bag of old socks.

You are all doing amazing! Well done!

Last few days have been busy for me decluttering and sorting out the kids rooms.

2 puzzles to charity shop
2 bags out for charity collection (bag come through letterbox)
Bag full of old socks out
3 pairs of shoes outgrown
3 board games to charity shop
4 old toys to my son's nursery.
Pile of old birthday/Christmas cards recycled.
1 bag of clothes to clothing recycle bank.
7 old pens thrown away as no good now.

Next step will be tackling the shed in a few weeks time when I can!

Haha @stealthninjamum 😀 I may resort to something similar, maybe cat sick. Or cat wee which everyone knows is impossible to get out.

OMG, entered the boys bathroom AKA the grossest room in the house 🤮 . They have the loft floor to themselves and no one else goes up there to use the bathroom - apart from MIL, who is luckily away in Oz for a while!

Jobs:

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. Take sentimental broken wooden box to a friend who says he’ll try and repair it
4. Massive sort of mountain of bedding we now have in the house (duvets, pillows, covers, sheets, pillowcases…)

Not quite outs yet:

1 big cuddly toy to drop off at a friends
more stuff on Vinted - taken some stuff off there to donate to charity instead
21 items in a Music Magpie box but waiting for password reset email to actually confirm sale - system is not working for me
pile of Allen keys - someone due to collect on Tuesday

Out:
5 x empty shampoo type bottles
2 x seriously manky cleaning cloths
random plastic bag prob left from some flight or other
1 x bra with wire poking out! Into recycling
1 x valance came home from the flat, we don’t have a suitable bed even if I wanted to use it
658+10=668

One face cleanser used up. Total is 2134

Today’s single out is a tiny Peppa pig George’s teddy that was part of a fuzzy felt set that I probably sold 8 years ago when I started my declutter! I can imagine at the time it would’ve really annoyed me to get rid of an incomplete toy!

No decluttering for me. To much going on. In fact a large influx of toys. I’m terrible at 1 in 1 out, especially at the moment as my second child is so different from my first and seems to be much more interested in toys at this age.

What’s the trick? The kids are 3yo and not-yet-1. Just good storage? Toy rotations to minimise the number out? Just give things away regularly and hope my elephant-memory child doesn’t call me on it, or hate me in the future?!

Hi all! I've gone AWOL from here for a little while, building work all finished just some ongoing snags to resolve now. But roof leak problem persists so we've shoved everything from the loft into one bedroom for now (which will be my youngest's bedroom once it's sorted!) Unfortunately DH keeps adding stuff to it (the bedroom of doom) though and now our shed is about to collapse too and it seems our stairs now too so more will be added as it is all juggled around. Feels like we're at a permanent logjam of stuff and a never ending refurb. It's very frustrating.

I had a little pause on decluttering returning to work from mat leave and other life just got in the way. So now I need to get back on it.

Out today:

A bag of old receipt
4 dresses
A pair of old shoes
Finished off a handcream

Today is the day I am taking a full ikea bag worth of stuff to the charity shop. Mostly baby related.

I have a bulk waste collection scheduled for Friday so will finally say goodbye to some unsaleable furniture that has been sitting next to the stairs and taking up valuable space as well as providing DH with a flat surface to cover in crap.

I haven’t updated for ages! These are my totals for the year so far:

January: 337 (high as I sorted through lots of baby clothes)
February: 7
March: 27
April: 7 (counted a bag of stuff to the top as one item)

I’ve also finally contacted a local charity about taking the baby things we sorted out in January.

This weekend DD is getting her new bed as we’re replacing her current bed with a loft bed with a desk etc underneath. It’s the best solution to fitting everything in her small room. However, this means that DH and I need to clear all the stuff under her bed and dumped in her room, which is stressing me out.

I’m ashamed to say that we use her room as a bit of a dumping/ storage ground and now that she’s 9 and more independent, this needs to stop. It’s just so hard to deal with, especially as DH is as much of a hoarder/ reluctant to get rid of useful things as I am. I feel it will be me pushing for every decision and that can be exhausting. Especially as I often have to push for things to go!

I will let you know how it all goes.

Two stained old Tupperware containers and their lids, which I haven't used in years, into recycling. Total is 2136

Up to 1490, made a little bit of good progress today. Tackled our spare room that often becomes a dumping ground.

loads of clothes passed on to people/charity shop or gone to textile recycling. Daughter has outgrown loads of tights.
Do yard four unopened craft/game sets that kids received that are doubles.

went through bath toys and got rid of ones looking grotty.

onwards and upwards

Another packet of eyelashes gone. Total is 2137

Still making slow progress but enjoying living in a tidyish house.

Today I threw away 2 keys and two posh branded foot creams. My feet have horrible dry skin and I find more medical type brands work better. I also had someone collect three toys I sold on marketplace.

the Lego decluttering is going slowly.