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Decluttering thread 10 - Spring is here, time to get those surfaces clear!

997 replies

TidyClutterIsStillClutter · 27/02/2025 17:33

thread 9 is full, and I can’t find a new thread. Can anyone point me to thread 10?
tia

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Mudkipper · 17/03/2025 00:00

I want to declutter but most of what I want is waaay too good to go to a charity shop. Which is better for selling, eBay or Vinted?

IndianSummer78 · 17/03/2025 02:29

ash mine is the total from when I first joined the thread. I decluttered a bunch of stuff in lockdown and I worked partway through my toiletries stash without counting anything but I find the counting helpful and I've got deep curiosity about just how much unnecessary stuff is in here. It'll be a fairly accurate figure once I'm finished. Mostly people seem to reset their counter in January, if they're counting at all.
I don't sell, it takes too much time. I feel it's for people who are either totally broke and need the money or at the maintenance stage. At the moment, I am needing to get stuff out as quickly as possible. I donate if it's easy to do so. What I won't do is visit multiple charity shops waiting while they sift through my stuff cherry-picking what they want. If I take my stuff somewhere I need to know it isn't coming home with me again. If I'm not sure of that, I bin/recycle it. I read it somewhere that it's better to not sell if you're regularly buying mistakes, because feeling the pain of losing the money spent stops you from continuing that cycle, whereas selling gives you a dopamine hit and the feeling that it's not so bad, even though you still probably lost money on it considering the purchase price.

Yarden I set myself the task of rereading them all and found myself willing to let go of some once I had.

Dare that must have been hard sitting there so long without blinking. I'll bet he was watching you, awaiting his opportunity 😁

Sorry for your loss Has

Ssd I keep things on display or in use, don't believe in things left forever in memory boxes because I never look in them. For me, boxes are for stashes (things you'll use in the future but aren't ready for yet) and things that are in regular use but the box is their permanent home.

Gone today:
One coat with some damage and a concealer used up. Total is 3317

CheesePlantFeet · 17/03/2025 08:15

@Mudkipper I prefer vinted. Things sell quicker. I tend to list around 7pm on a Friday and Saturday evening. If stuff hasn't sold after 2 weeks, I'll re-list it.

Selling stuff is definitely slowing down the process because I'm only willing to have 2 boxes of stuff waiting to be sold on the corner of my room. But that means that I'm purposely not going through the various places I've got my clothes stored untill there's space in my 2 boxes. They're away at the moment under the bed/on top of the wardrobe/in the loft, so not messy, but would be if I sorted through them to sell. At least it's not overwhelming right now 🤷 I feel too angry at myself for all the money I spent to not sell them. And all the waste buying new.

@IndianSummer78 I am with you on the hassle of charity shops. I found one, which seems to accept everything (apart from blankets) and even has it's own car park, because who doesn't love parking 10 streets away from the shop and lugging a couple of bin bags up the highstreet. Classy! But this is an out of town holy grail charity shop!

Out this weekend
Vinted: 2 tops, 3 dresses, 2 trousers, 1 pair shoes, 1 necklace

Total: 372

manysausages · 17/03/2025 09:53

Hello - also someone new from the scams thread.

Both my parents died in the last 4 years. I have a LOT of stuff, even non sentimental. I had stuff of my own anyway, it’s all a bit much. I’ve been looking around and I think there might be thousands of things. I need to start letting go.

My target is 2025 things by the end of the year and at least 3 things a day. It’ll be fast at the start then slow down.

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 17/03/2025 10:49

Having a bit of a count up as haven't updated for over a month.

Donated new cot mattress
Donated 2 cot sheets and 2 protectors
Donated 2 bookcases
Donated 82 items of clothing/fabric recycling
Light to tip
Cool box
Microwave
Scooter
CD player
Binned 8 items of makeup
Binned busted vac pac
Binned damaged kids boots x2
8 old cushions to tip
Binned old hairdryer
Binned 3 photo albums
Binned pram accessory kit
Binned broken back massage pillow
Binned baby bottle
Binned broken bracelet
Donated baby bottle bag
Donated baby bag
Binned old pack of hair bobbles
Donated 6 dvd boxsets
Donated large chest of drawers

5 pairs of shoes sold on vinted
60 items of clothing sold on vinted
7 homeware sold on vinted
5 items of clothing sold on eBay
10 books sold on vinted

I haven't counted the last couple of weeks sales yet so will add them when I get chance.

Total 411 so far for 2025.

MiddlingMarch · 17/03/2025 16:25

I need this thread.

I have a broken hair dryer and a bag of unrecyclable and broken things and two huge cardboard tubes and some cardboard boxes that all need to go to the tip for recycling. I can't do it during the day any time soon, unless it's open post 5pm...

Also have more boxes of stuff to move. If I think about it too much right now I'll get overwhelmed as i can't see when I can get to the tip... but I will.

Mudkipper · 17/03/2025 17:43

So far this months I've:

  • binned 2 pairs knackered trainers
  • recycled two pairs jogging pants and a top, a (shrunk) cardigan and two bras.

this is good going for me as I wear stuff until it's more holes than anything.

manysausages · 17/03/2025 18:35

Had a few hours off so made a start, thanks to this thread.

Glasses x 7
Pans x 3
Other kitchen stuff x 30
Cat stuff x 25
Broken things x 10 (lamps, tea light holders, washing basket)
Bottles and tins x 20 - empty or nearly empty
Tat straight to the bin - approx 20

115 items, probably more. It was easy because most of it is obvious stuff and non-sentimental. But also, most was quite large and quite visible so it’s created lots of space which is most encouraging.

I think I’ll report here on my decluttering progress but also whenever I buy something which all counts to undoing the good work.

SpryLilacBird · 17/03/2025 20:50

Hello, I'm new! I've been reading Mumsnet for years but this is my very first post. I've been decluttering since July 2023 and since then have gotten rid of hundreds of items! Bags and bags of stuff to charity, sold nearly 200 items on Vinted, given lots of DC stuff to younger cousins and about 10 perfumes to DSis.

In the last couple of weeks I've taken 3 bags of clothes to the charity shop, 24 pairs of shoes to schuh, 8 books given to the school charity and 3 books listed on Vinted.

I have 400 items currently listed on Vinted and have been updating pictures, adding hashtags and re-listing items to encourage sales. The next big job alongside the Vinted stuff is to sort through DC toys.

WHAT's OUT 2025 - clothes to charity shop (approx 30 items), 14 items sold on Vinted, 8 books and 24 shoes. Total = 76 items out.

CosmicScouser · 18/03/2025 00:15

Hi fellow declutterers!

Pleased to find this thread.

Jumping in the bandwagon tomorrow.
One item out per day, right? Alright!

Just spent 2 weeks living out of a suitcase in one small hotel room. Made me long for The Simple Life... So much better

CosmicScouser · 18/03/2025 00:23

PS what happens when you take old shoes to Schuh???

TylwythTeg · 18/03/2025 05:53

Oh I am absolutely thrilled to have discovered this thread!! I need the help and motivation to declutter a five bedroom house with forty years of my own shit things, and nearly thirty years of my children’s shit things. I am SO bad at throwing things away… my house is tidy and clutter free on the surface as I have plenty of storage, however beneath it all… I have the tremors just thinking about it! I’m talking black bag fulls of clothes, shoes, children’s toys and so so many books… the problem I have is time. Time to take stuff to the tip, charity shop, clothing bank etc. I sell bits on Vinted, but I get stressed finding the time to pack it and send it! (I’m actually going to make some time by sipping my morning coffee whilst cluttering my nail varnish box!!) thanks for the inspiration 🥰

TylwythTeg · 18/03/2025 06:06

I did it! First thing cleared - two tubs of moisturiser that I don’t use, one face serum - nearly empty, fifteen spent nail varnishes and some old make up brushes 😃

vroc81 · 18/03/2025 07:32

TylwythTeg · 18/03/2025 05:53

Oh I am absolutely thrilled to have discovered this thread!! I need the help and motivation to declutter a five bedroom house with forty years of my own shit things, and nearly thirty years of my children’s shit things. I am SO bad at throwing things away… my house is tidy and clutter free on the surface as I have plenty of storage, however beneath it all… I have the tremors just thinking about it! I’m talking black bag fulls of clothes, shoes, children’s toys and so so many books… the problem I have is time. Time to take stuff to the tip, charity shop, clothing bank etc. I sell bits on Vinted, but I get stressed finding the time to pack it and send it! (I’m actually going to make some time by sipping my morning coffee whilst cluttering my nail varnish box!!) thanks for the inspiration 🥰

@TylwythTeg I booked a doorstep charity collection - Anglocollections, 60% of what they make is donated to charity (though I reasoned that by the time a charity shop has paid rent and admin the difference might not be that much) because I found the time to bag things up on an evening then they’d sit for months not leaving the house so now they just go. I book a collection once a month and aim to have a bag of clothes and some other stuff ready for collection… just a thought, if you are on IG follow declutter Dollies and they have other collection charity they recommend..

TylwythTeg · 18/03/2025 09:16

vroc81 · 18/03/2025 07:32

@TylwythTeg I booked a doorstep charity collection - Anglocollections, 60% of what they make is donated to charity (though I reasoned that by the time a charity shop has paid rent and admin the difference might not be that much) because I found the time to bag things up on an evening then they’d sit for months not leaving the house so now they just go. I book a collection once a month and aim to have a bag of clothes and some other stuff ready for collection… just a thought, if you are on IG follow declutter Dollies and they have other collection charity they recommend..

Edited

That’s such a good idea! Thank you so much for the advice - decluttering is overwhelming but a doorstop collection will help lots 🙏

TidyClutterIsStillClutter · 18/03/2025 17:06

Got the bags of donations/selling out of the giant cupboard and into DH’s car for him to drop off. Added a couple of pairs of outgrown shoes to pile that I posted here weeks ago.

Underneath it all, I found four pairs of gym shorts that I had kept nagging the kids for losing (said sorry and they just rolled their eyes and went back to screens), and two sets of Marvel character pjs. That’ll be a nice surprise for them.

Tidied desk and was able to recycle some paper and junk mail.

Started on cookbooks, diet, and lifestyle books. Found an old flipper chart. Anyone remember that from Sandra Felton’s Messies books? There was a website and egroups too.

edited for typos

OP posts:
SoScarletItWas · 18/03/2025 18:30

I’ve gone through the Light Bulb Graveyard today! A lidless shoebox overflowing with mystery bulbs belonging to who knows what lamps.

Got rid of 6 and identified the correct ones which now slot nicely in the shoebox and are on a shelf in the utility room cupboard.

75+6 =81

Turned my attention to the first aid box and OMG what a mini-tip! Out of date cough medicine, anti-mosquito stuff, dressings… Another 9 things plus the tub it was all (not) sitting in.

81 + 10 = 91 things so far 🙂

LivingInaBuiltSite · 18/03/2025 21:56

Managed to give away some music books at orchestra. Also went through my study papers and binned a few more inches.

Jobs:

  1. Hang up framed pictures: this has now changed to critically go through the framed artwork as we’ve agreed we don’t actually want all of it?
  2. DS2 paperwork: blue badge started
  3. my British passport application - wait to hear then go to a citizenship ceremony
  4. DS1’s gaming, PC, nerf collections to go through and tidy
  5. Portfolio work - waiting for more to be marked, more to do, always; 9 bits ready to sign off
  6. buy a nice clock for kitchen as have decided where it will go DONE & Hung Up ☑️

Not quite outs yet:
scooter hooks x 3 onto FB
see if anyone wants a mostly working prelit Christmas tree
one game to list on FB Listed

Out:
approx 15 for paperwork
3 music books
466+15+3=484

IndianSummer78 · 19/03/2025 02:09

Welcome to all the newbies.

One DVD out today. Total is 3318

LivingInaBuiltSite · 19/03/2025 15:19

Making the most of a day off with the house to myself. Have sorted my wardrobe and work clothes.

Jobs:

  1. Hang up framed pictures: this has now changed to critically go through the framed artwork as we’ve agreed we don’t actually want all of it?
  2. DS2 paperwork: blue badge started
  3. my British passport application - wait to hear then go to a citizenship ceremony
  4. DS1’s gaming, PC, nerf collections to go through and tidy
  5. Portfolio work - waiting for more to be marked, more to do, always; 9 bits ready to sign off Those 9 signed off ✔️
  6. sew trouser button back on DONE ✔️

Not quite outs yet:
scooter hooks x 3 onto FB
see if anyone wants a mostly working prelit Christmas tree
one game
various clothes given to DD to sell on Vinted, will give her a bit of extra time as she’s new to it

Out:
6 dusty soaps never going to use
random pen found in bathroom cupboard
OOD Savlon in cupboard
4 clothing bits to recycling
484+12=496

IndianSummer78 · 20/03/2025 04:06

Dropped a plate and smashed it. Total is 3319

Realfastfoodie · 20/03/2025 08:55

I’ve fallen off the (decluttering) wagon a bit. Hoping to gain some inspiration from this thread but also be kind to myself as I’ve lots going on and can’t fight on all fronts

IDareSay · 20/03/2025 10:39

2025 decluttering
W/E 16/03
2025 – (409 + 60 = 469) = 1556 to go

Digital
None this week

Stuff used up and not replaced
Smoked sea salt, body scrub = 2

Recycled/binned
Pairs of socks x 15 (DH) x 15 (me, I was ruthless!), dog shampoos x 4, knickers x 2, highlighter x 1, various items from DH man drawer x 18, files of papers shredded x 1, notebook used up x 1 = 57

Charity shop
In process of collecting another bag.

Vinted
Sales x 1
(Prior to switching on spotlight. No sales from spotlight - which ends today - whatsoever!)

Cottagecheeseisnotcheese · 20/03/2025 12:22

did a huge declutter last year due to moving aim this year 200 items approx 15 per month, a bit behind as on 41
this month so far 3 pairs of tights, 1 shapewear, 1 t -shirt 1 pair of socks 7 items removed from sewing box, 2 pair of glasses old prescriptions, 10 old magazines and 8 books

EllieQ · 20/03/2025 12:48

No new decluttering from me, but I passed on a packet of pavement chalks to the nursery at DD’s school (which I’d cleared out sometime last year). I’d actually bought them in March 2020 when I was stocking up on craft supplies as a lockdown seemed imminent.

I’ve also bought some new storage boxes to make better use of the shelves in DD’s room (after finally getting the boxes of baby clothes out of the house), and will be reorganising these at the weekend.