Where would you start?

ageandjo

Picture this--- a loft full of 'stuff' cd cases/kingsize bed you name it it's in there. Shed full of 'stuff' mini motorbike, sunbed, compost, my horsey stuff, front room, behind the sofa a real tip with lots of my work things/ other clutter, a big TV in the corner of the room that if I move all hell will break loose because I have unplugged something or another. I have a week off soon and I want a real de-clutter but where do I start. I am fine with the day to day de-cluttering but I want a massive overhaul:D All seems very daunting to me so your advice will help me:p

moggins

If you know what is there, I would start with a written list of what you no longer want but is in good nick and freecycle it or advertise it in the local freeads.

Jo138

Age, I was in a similar position to you not so long ago. I realised that I had very little proper storage room for lots of things and the whole house (and garage) were in a big pickle.

So, after looking to see what I had and where I REALLY WISHED it could go, I 'acquired' (don't ask) the necessary cupboards and shelves etc. THEN I tackled what was there bit by painful bit. I'd tried in the past to 'tidy up', but this time it really worked.

HTH

edited to say the garage is the worst pickle I've ever known! It's Mr138's job though - grrrrr

Queenie

I would begin in the shed. Drag it all into the garden, make an inventory (as per moggins suggestion). Once the shed is cleared you have opened up space and already decluttered one major storage area.

Next, the loft. Inventory everything as above. You have now cleared an even bigger, but less accessable space. Some of it may/may not need/belong in the shed. As the shed is now cleared, it gives you a bit of flexibility to put things that you are either waiting for collection via selling/freecycle.

Then move on to behind the sofa. If you have stashed work related stuff which you can't part with, but don't need on a regular basis, you now have a cleared loft space where you can box it up (labelled) and it's now easy to find but decluttered. Tesco's currently have some "Student Boxes" on sale (half price or less) basically brown cardboard boxes. I've invested in some for when I get up into my loft for a declutter

HTH

Punky

Make piles of the following

Bin

Recycle

Ebay / sell / car boot

Charity

Freecycle

Keep

Be ruthless, and if you can't then get a friend to help.

Great guide from Queenie. You may wish to consider starting with behind the couch as it's clutter you can 'see' rather than hidden - once done it will motivate you to do the rest.

Don't start too big if it's too daunting. A box at a time will do.

Motherof1

Just be ruthless.............place a big box in the centre of your room and throw anything away you don't really need! Have a few bin liners to hand for anything that could go to the Charity Shop or a refuge! Thsi worked for me. Good Luck

D&DD

Thanks for starting this thread Age I'm pretty much in the same boat.I have been struggling to get my house in order and pretty much have the cleaning routine sorted BUT the clutter...thats so another story so everything takes twice as long as I have to find the floor first before I clean it...:embarasse Thanks for all the tips :T

chardonnay_2

queenies & moggins suggestions to inventory the stuff is good but take pictures when you are doing this. then stick it all on ebay even starting at 99p each (local pickup only) you'll be surprised how much it goes for and if it doesn't sell then freecycle it.

Little_Miss_Winner

My house is fine, BUT the loft well theres a different story!!!

I tend to take in anything that other people don't want, especially things related to the kids!!!
I think that someone may use/need it at some point in their lives!:T

My oh has started to say whenever i ask "can you just pop that ? in the loft", that the loft hasn't any room, and the ceiling is about to cave in!:rolleyes:

When he put our two suitcases back after our holiday, he asked did i really need 4 moses baskets? plus numerous /pram/buggies etc, baby baths, car seats etc.....:rolleyes:

My youngest and final baby is 2 tomorrow, so in a word NO - but someone else might!

Will have to get them all out/cleaned up and ebay/freecycle them me thinks, cant bear to part somehow though!:o

moggins

I don't have a loft but I do have a cellar I've had to go down there twice this week, not a pleasant experience.

Biddyrolo

Queenie and Moggins, please will you come round and sort out my OH, he won't throw anything away, I even have to move a half finished rocking horse to get to my knicker drawer.