Decluttering Thread 12

[TidyClutterIsStillClutter]

Whatever your speed or method, whether it’s a few shelves, a couple of boxes or entire attics, rooms, or garages, come here and share both your successes and your struggles. There’s support and commiserations, and lots of good ideas.

That's what I used to do for months @declutteringonedayatatime - I'd catch up on the thread as motivation to do something!

04/01

• 4 out of MiniFool's 5 pairs of current shoes that are now outgrown 😬 I have at least one pair in a larger size, somewhere... Fortunately winter boots and wellies still fit for now
• small bag of Christmas tree decorations that we won't use next year
• 1 DVD that I really enjoyed but haven't watched in the decade or so that I've owned it
• 8 books that I'd like to keep but don't have space for, which have lived in To Read/re-read shelves/piles for years

Outs = 35
Ins = 1
Net = 34

Ooh, I have managed to have some success with olio too! I have got rid of a nice duvet cover and pillowcase set. Very pleased with that as it means a good reduction in overfilling the linen drawers. A few things not going there, on WhatsApp groups or on FB so will just need to bin eventually as I don’t think the charity shops will take them.

Nothing much done today. In In the tricky zone of kids going back to school. So for a week I will be on riot control as I wrestle the house back into routine. Much easier when it's tidy and less cluttered of course! Ds needs some polo shirts binned and possibly some more bought. Polo shirts are a nightmare to keep clean but he is at a SEN school so polo's are allowed. Or shirts. I might ask him again if he will move to shirts. He is forever spiling food over himself. However that's what his DLA is for, endless mess.

Dh car has now died after my car died. They are both old but dh has very low milage and only bought it 18 months ago. Might be time to decluter one for something a few years old. Major expense we can't afford really.

My slippers are dying. One sub goal is only buy sluppers, leggings, pants and socks when there are none left. They are cheap small purchases I might have hoarded in the past. So many socks. I miss buying them. But possibly got 50 plus pairs to wear out. Possibly 20 leggings. So many pants. I could open my own M&S

Set up a Vinted account & it’s so easy to add your items. Already had a ring added to 2 peoples favourites.

W/E 5/1 Week 1
Posting to keep myself accountable as I continue to declutter. I was really happy to hit my 2025 target and won't be as ambitious this year but there is still plenty to go at and I'd like to record my efforts. Aiming for at least one item per day.

Stuff used up and not replaced
Scented candle

Recycled/binned
2025 calendar, foil dispenser, freezer packs x 2, frozen fruit x 2, frozen herbs x 2 (binned after doing freezer inventory).

Charity shop
Couple of large bags almost full and ready to go, will count when gone.

Vinted
A few sales this weekend which I will count once posted.

Week 1 total = 9

Just wanted to share this win, we had friends over yesterday, all I needed to do was a quick tidy up, I wasn't stressed or panicking. It was SO nice and I really want to keep up with the decluttering this year.

I hate Vinted; they banned me in the middle of photographing the many many many layers of labels you get on Nike/adidas etc then I had to faff to even contact them never mind appeal so I decided my time is too precious for that 🤷🏽‍♀️
I’ve never been able to sell anything for anywhere near it’s value see the 4 hour used school uniform tale so I don’t bother now. I’d love to sell DD’s immaculate bed frame to change it for a more suitable one but it won’t happen so I’ll keep it until I’m forced to change it for whatever reason then I’ll have to give it away 🫠

Just sold 2 Conturve bras on Vinted for £40 which I’m thrilled with - they had been on FB Marketplace for ages. Also interest shown in a dress.

I hope it's ok if I join? I'm losing momentum! I have to clear my attic as we're moving to a flat. We're definitely not having more kids, so I've been sorting the old clothes. 27 bags to go (4 to dump) rest offered on what's app and if not to a charity shop if they'll take them. Have 3.5 days to get prepared to move!

@IncessantNameChanger I’m also a hoarder of socks, pants and slippers 🫣. I think I actually need help 😄. So many bloody slippers it’s ridiculous. I’m looking forward to my current pair dying.

Do you keep the original boxes of things? I was always taught you have to keep e.g. jewelry in the original case, Lego was made up, broken down and put into its box before another set was played with etc.
I have a stack of empty Lego boxes. Realistically I can't see my DC ever sorting their sets out. It's all one massive castle/city. I can throw those boxes right?

Welcome Drowning. That's an amazing start!

River - I take photos for Vinted then upload them. I do wonder if Vinted is worth the stress most of the time but also find it clears my thought process when I get stuck. I hope they unblock you asap.

PeedoffNeighbour - I know. I love these slippers. They are so well made from Monsoon but they are ancient. I haven't worn them out before the sole has perished which proves I had too many.

I have declutter dd shoes AGAIN! I swear they breed. I want to get two pairs of trainers, one school shoes, one pair of sandels. One Uggs. She has about 6 pairs of trainers, three pairs of school shoes. I was going to sell some on Vinted but thought stuff it. I sold her sketchers, these are just decathlon ones. Her Nikes are so stained so decided I'd not buy them, no one else will. Out to charity they go. I'd save more money having less of everything and letting the kids wear it all right out

Out - three dd jumpers on Vinted
Two of the boys socks with holes in
Two pairs dd trainers
Three dd sandels
Ds slippers outgrown
1 pair dd boots

Also dd sole has completely fallen off her old Uggs. Dh is going to try to glue it back on but it's in two pieces and we bought them off Vinted for £5 last year. They have already been replaced so why I can't bin them I have no idea.

@LivingDeadGirlUK that's fantastic! Such a good feeling when this decluttering lark actually improves day to day life

@DrowningInThings throw away the empty boxes! I only keep boxes now when I actually store thing in them eg fragile christmas decorations. Otherwise I get rid!

Today I put the sitting room back to rights after putting all the Christmas stuff away yesterday. I had a bit of a sort through which decor I wanted to get rid of. Also did a quick look through my jumpers drawer

Out
Charity shop: top, 2x jumpers, set of coasters, cut glass bell, framed picture, clock, 5 x battery tealights

Bin / recycling: gift box, gift bag, holey socks, pillar candle

Total: 95

Sorted out the kids’ books

cleared out 37
plus 2 Christmas soft toys

total outs this year 41

Went through my collection of jars (saved from jams etc) and seriously pruned. No more jars falling out of the cabinet!

Loving Vinted so far! I got an offer on my Jane Norman body con dress & have just sold a Harry Potter single duvet set. Some things I haven’t advertised as the prices aren’t high enough - wondering whether it’s worth putting my Nichol Farhi evening trousers on or not.

Sorted through the clean laundry for outgrown pants and socks. Several pairs of each into the Dunelm ragbag. I dip into it from time to time for cleaning rags.

Two plastic containers into the recycling tub. I had thought of using them in the garden, but realised they’ll probably degrade and shatter in the cold in a year or two, and not worth the risk.

A blackbird kept following me from only about three feet away so I scattered some seed.

Tidied a very small area of the garage.

@MarmaladeSandwich7 Personally I have found that often things don’t sell at anything like the maximum price you might get, but that sometimes that’s worth it because they are gone and it’s faff-free.

@TidyClutterIsStillClutter - your day sounds very peaceful!

@MarmaladeSandwich7I've been using Vinted for less than three weeks so I’m hardly an expert. However, it seems to be much more of a buyers market for bargains. As @Realfastfoodiesaid I’m of the view that it gets stuff out the house, and I get a little bit of money. Plus I feel better about recycling, and not lining the pockets of big corporate companies and my purchase hopefully helps a regular person with the cost of living.

I dropped off four Vinted sales at the parcel shop today and chucked some OOD cereal bars.

Am working from home tomorrow so might get some kitchen cupboards done in between meetings

One drawer and the fridge cleaned out, total 107 year to date

2 jars from fridge
1 Tupperware
5 bits of toddler bottles

@Zireael - It’s tricky and sometimes I’m annoyed how little things go for. I unlisted and sent a load to the charity shop over the weekend.

Thrown out 2 out of date packets of food from the cupboards, they need a bit of attention tbh but I won't have time for a major cleanout till the weekend.

I've put 5 small cuddly toys in the charity bag.

Took the Christmas tree down today, all the Christmas stuff needs to go up in the loft once its all put in one place.

@Realfastfoodie i think our stage of decluttering is hard! I managed to give away the baby clothes as and when she outgrew them and I gave all of my little boys to my friend or the baby bank. I’m going to get rid of the baby pram soon as she prefers to walk and I have my little joie pram if need be. I have some baby blankets that I can’t bear to part with yet even though I could do with the space and iI know it’s kinder to give them to the baby bank. I’ve bagged clothes and toys for charity donation but due to the snow it wasn’t collected! I’ve also put some toys in the garage for rotation to limit the mess day to day. In other parts of the house I’ve declutterred utensil drawers and organised the pantry so had a few outs from that! I love opening the drawers etc after it’s done and seeing everything perfectly organised then thought god I’m getting sad when this brings me joy but it really does haha. My little boy is back to school tomorrow after the christmas break so i might get a few more things sorted if the little one naps but doubt it! I also have a Vinted box on the go but I havn’t got round to listing anything in a while. Seems like everyone else is making good progress and you’re all keeping me motivated!

I agree @ProseccoBee, it’s so hard! Even little bits and pieces, cute shoes, the blanket that isn’t even a favorite one… and the toys! Suddenly, something changes and one of them just adores one of the little baby toys again🫣 I’m trying to do little bits at a time with anything remotely sentimental… like a first pass/second pass/third pass scenario! Giving things away to friends helps a bit… vinted too.

I’m also just honestly drowning in puzzles and activity/sticker books but I don’t want to get rid of them in case I get some peace and quiet when they are being enjoyed!

Other than that, it’s all going really well! 🤣

Sold a strapless bra on Vinted & have advertised lots more clothes.