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.

@Realfastfoodie I'm on the same page as you! And I think for me, the process of tracking my outs makes me more aware of not adding to the stuff that inhabits my home.

We cleared through one kitchen cupboard which was full of absolute randomness - all those kitchen gadgets you use once a year. They're safe for now... But I was very happy to discover a bottle of amaretto I didn't know about. Also had a look at the tops/shirts in my wardrobe this weekend and sent some to the Vinted pile (will count them as they sell), and sent some straight to the charity shop.

Charity shop: burger press, 3x tops, plant pot
Bin / recycling: 3x OOD food, stack of photo matts, dead plant, microwave turn table

Total: 134

Bought lots of fabric today but not going to count that individually as it's in constant churn for my hobbies. Will count as one

I checked all the jars in the fridge and wrote 2025 on all the open ones. Normally, I do not count these, but as i have baseline them and decided they will be biined by the end of Feb, i did count them this time.

smashed plate
10 old jars in Fridge
3 dead house plants
One dried up sharpie

in fabric for stash

Total out 101
Total in = 14

Decluttering for 2026.
just sorted my son’s bed room. He is 9. It’s been a tip for several
months. Decluttered a whole charity bag: 12 cuddly toys, 2 squishy toys, 1 digger truck, 6 books, 6 happy meal mr men toys, 1 musical box, 1 roblox Tin. 29 items. Soooo happy!
i am
Going to start keeping a tally

Everyone is doing so well! I'm aimimg for one item a day. Today was an empty sweet tin which DD has had for years.
Usual keeping on top of everything so soft plastics gone.
I have 4 eyebrow pencils. All the same, no idea how. I will use them up so won't bin any.

I have a bag full of stuff to take to charity shop next week. Couple of sales on Vinted.
The OOD food in the bin.
Couple of read books to Tesco charity book shelf.

Took 6 bags full of baby clothes and shoes to the clothing bank today, my kids are 4 and 6 so it’s been long overdue!

We went up in the loft this afternoon. Found some large quick wins. We had 6 empty suitcases that can be used for going away (not including the ones full of clothes and coats here). We only need 3, so out go the oldest! Also sorted through the contents of 2 moving boxes of sentimental stuff - some of it dates back to 1924, like a book given to my grandma from Sunday school, but there's also mine and DHs stuff from childhood and early adulthood - anyway we reduced the amount to fit into one box. It's very hard getting rid of the sentimental things

Charity shop: computer speakers, floral stems, sheet music, charging cable, 3x suitcases

Bin / recycling: old exam papers, uni dissertation, stack of christening cards, stack of 18th birthday cards, stack of valentines cards, gcse excersise books, congratulations cards, payslip, 6 maps, book, CD, cake decorations, mouse mat, 3 unknown wires with boxes, "useful" box

Vinted/sold locally:

Total: 163

Tackled one of the DCs bedrooms today, lots binned/recycled and a big bag to list on Vinted or eBay.

Total = 330

Outs

34 magazines
A large toy
2 books
3 board games
A Lego set
sold 2 items on Vinted

total outs 88

I’ve filled a bag of rubbish from the bathroom drawers and cupboard while the kids were in the bath. On a roll today. I find it hard being motivated in the week though - any tips?

Cleaned out the snack drawer. Yuk.

Nothing much of significance although I find I’m able to grab little bits for the bin all the time. Which either shows I’m getting better at day to day clutter or I live in a bit of a sty… not sure which! Put away more Xmas stuff too and that helps me see clearer surfaces and find new places for things. Nothing to count today but probably a good few things put in the bin.

Xmas tree and decorations taken down yesterday and dh got the boxes back in the loft. Still need to clear the decs from dc room but they want to keep them up till their birthday next weekend. Got the living and dining rooms cleaned and all ornaments back. Also cleaned the bathroom cabinet out and got rid of 5 bath bombs and 2 bubble baths and a Xmas toilet roll. Dh took a bag full of plastic from model
making back to the shop for recycling.

Filled out this years calendar and diary and binned last years one. Also cleared some dc certificates from the fridge and recycled.

Great to see all the productivity on here.

@RealfastfoodieI also can be doing a proper count of what goes out and what comes in; I could never keep up with it!

I listed and sold three jumpers and a bedding set on Vinted today and DH has got the bug now too! He has created an account, listed, sold and posted about 10 computer games.

I put half a sack of clothes into a charity collection bin too.

So far I’m happy with my progress.

School jotters for keeping are now in the cupboard. This gives me three empty open shelves and one drawer in the living-room.

Out - two pairs ancient beat-up trainers.

I either set a timer for say 30 minutes and tackle one set area like a shelf or the dinning table which is a dumping ground as you walk past.

Or I just set a number - say ten and grab ten of anything to go. This is easier than it sounds. You just walk around the house as per normal but with your focus on. So if your washing up or putting the plates away, is there some odd tupperware lid with no base you have seen in two years? Your putting your makeup on, have a look at what's in your makeup. A lipstick from 2003? Taking the dog for a walk, it there a spare lead that's frayed that you don't trust to use but you have kept it just in case? So you live your day as normal but when you look it's surprising. I got rid of 27 things ( flylady) on Friday morning in under 30 minutes.

Not a great deal done on Sunday but it is a day of rest after all! I have a Temu dress to photograph & put on Vinted. Gradually getting the money for the items I’ve sold. Comes to around £75 so far. Just been naughty & bought some jewellery on FB Marketplace - can’t resist vintage brooches! I’ve dealt with the lady before & was very impressed. Shoe sort out on the to do list for Monday.

One leaflet recycled and used up a face wash. Total is 4238

I’m only on maintenance de cluttering but my outs are:

13 magazines
9 colouring books
A set of fabric pens
2 pairs of wellies

Total outs 113

Sorted most of the shoes - just got the shoe cabinet to do. Advertised a BNWT Laura Ashley umbrella on Vinted. Thought about selling my walking boots but similar ones have only made £3!!

Just chucked a pair of very worn, stained sandals with toe posts!

W/E 12/1 Week 2
Aiming for at least one item per day. A productive week.

Stuff used up and not replaced
Onion chutney = 1

Recycled/binned
Sofa (finally!), another 2025 calendar, 3 x even older calendars, bag of polystyrene beads, bra with hole in, postcards x 2, fairly lights x 2, garden waste x 1 = 12

Charity shop
Vase, hat, tray, cutlery in presentation box, souvenir baton, wine glasses x 2, commemorative beer bottles x 2, books x 4, paperweight, photo frames x 2, ornaments x 3, storage tins x 5, biscuit barrel, candle holder, jumpers x 2, sport jacket, golf jacket, bean bags x 2 = 32

Vinted
Posted = 4

Week 2 total = 49
Total for year so far = 58

Went through the DDs sock and knicker drawer at the weekend and binned a load of too-small tights and old white summer uniform socks which are now rather greyish (one pair was pink due to getting put in the wash with a new red PE t-shirt!). I now have about half a bag's worth of textile recycling so will look to fill that up by the end of the week and drop it off at school.

can't remember what my total for 2025 was but anyway, it's now 2026.

Today I took a bag to the charity shop:

• two books
• three skirts
• three blouses
• one nightdress

have put two other nightdresses, a jar, an empty room diffuser bottle and a vase in the recycling. I make that 14 so far.

Dh has had a sort out of the garden, a shelf and the contents of our storage unit cooler table. I have also found a bag of shoes I didn't donate in my car. They can go next weekend so not counted yet.

Out 60 things from shelt and coffee table ( Dh)
Perfume bottle used up
10 old socks to school
2 tights to school
2 school books returned
4 hangers

Total out 179
Total in = 14