The Great Declutter Part 3 - 2011

Bargainloverbec

Hi everyone, I read this thread every day and feel so inspired by all the decluttering that's going on! I am trying to get the house shipshape before baby number 2 arrives in August so I'm working to a deadline but getting more and more tired every day so it feels like a hard slog at the moment.

Having quite a productive day today so I thought I'd actually post my progress to reward myself. I've just decluttered two kitchen cupboards and actually thrown away a jar of mince meat that has been in there for FIVE years! Finally time to admit to myself I'm never going to make mince pies. Also posted a car seat and a TV on Freecycle and someone has just been to pick up the Teasmade that I posted on yesterday, so it's going well.

Quick sit down then another 15 minutes hopefully before DS1 wakes up from his nap.

nikki1986

I would like to join. Or rather, I need to join.

Me and OH have a 1-bed flat but at least a 3-bed's house worth of clutter. OH is a hoarder and hates getting rid of stuff, but I declutter what he won't miss when he's not looking

I've got a couple of bits on ebay at the moment, but I sorely need a trip to the tip (when I can convince OH to drive us there) and a skip (when we can afford to rip out the bathroom/replace the garden fence).

Any tips for a decluttering newbie? I'm thinking of trying to get rid of at least 1 thing each morning before I go to work. Baby steps!

heebie-jeebies

Hi Nikki - welcome!
I'm new too and have found myself very motivated right now so I would suggest starting with an area you're really not looking forward to (if you're feeling the same way!). I worked through my filing pile last night for the first time in 18 months :eek: and feel much better now it's done.

Today, I plan to tackle 2 kitchen cupboards that need organising and will de-clutter along the way.

I also find that lists motivate me - so I know I have a load of recycling to get rid of this weekend but seeing it as 10 bags of stuff out of the house makes me want to get rid of it. I haven't started properly but the 100 things in 10 days could be a real motivator for me.

jess1011

Hi all,

Another newbie wanting to join if you dont mind?

Currently quitting smoking and de-cluttering and cleaning seem to be my coping mechanism!

Today iv been quite busy;
changed lounge around, getting rid of endless recycling and boxed up some things for car boot.
Tidied under my side of the bed and put some bits on freecycle as well as creating a blog :j

Just wanted to join in really because your all very inspiring :T

Callisto

In

Two sun hats
Hairgrips
Two bras
Ten pairs of knickers
Five pairs of socks
Bracelet
CD
Book
Gorgeous print (Solitude Tuscany by Lesley Aggar) and a frame to put it in (all bought with birthday money)

Silver brooch and ornament (from Gran)

Secateurs and lawn weedkiller

Out

Five Ebay parcels posted
Four pairs of socks and six pairs of knickers relegated to the 'rag bag' (not technically out, but out of the underwear drawer at least!)

Pending Out

One bra to be returned to shop
Two Ebay parcels still to be posted
Large bag waiting for next charity shop run

Will be relisting everything that didn't sell on Ebay last time and aiming to add a minimum of 10 new listings this weekend.

Haven't had much time for decluttering over the last week as I've been helping Gran and Grandad pack for their move to a bungalow, how come it is so easy to declutter for other people, but so hard to let my own things go?! I have filled a charity bag and several carboot boxes easily for my grandparents!

Kaz2904

Well I have managed to clean the whole of the downstairs loo (not very big so not muc of an achievement ). Need to have a bath now before work so I will quickly blast the bathroom while it's running. That'll be me for today but hopefully DH will wipe down the kitchen sides and I can get more done tomorrow afternoon and on Friday.
At least the downstairs loo is now ready to have the window frame and skirting boards added which will happen when I get a chance. I hope to do it next week. We shall see

Welcome newbies

candygirl

Decluttered tons of baby clothes to the scope charity bin, as well as lots of books to oxfam:j:j:jThe came back and found out my neighbour is preg with a girl...doh:o:o

Skint_but_Optimistic

Hi all and hi newbies Xx the folks on here are so motivated you will get swept along like me! I can't stop decluttering.. I'd start with a problem place and gravitate from there...When I got in tonight all my washing was dry... yipee! So I pegged in then pegged out the towels which were sitting in washer. My ds who is 1 was in his swing, so I poop scooped the garden ( cheers dogs) and went into plant pot corner and chucked a fair few, put some more for the charity shop. I was right in the decluttering fram of mind. The house looked a tip, so I did a clean, wipe Hoover mop of front room, ironed what was dry while feeding ds in highchair ( had breaks and made 2 ebay listings). Then it was 7pm and oh was home. We both popped the ironing away, and me and ds decluttered the set of drawers in the bathroom....18 bottles of shower gel! We have enough for the street!! Then oh had made tea and dd arrived home from grans. She wondered why I was tired, and asked what we have decluttered today! Back tomorrow, night all and thanks for helping me along Xx

Kaz2904

Well I managed to clean the bathroom and even cleaned the window quickly whilst waiting for the bath to run.
Have left a note asking DH to fold the washing but he probably won't. I'll have a think and see what I want to make my aim for tomorrow


ETA: Have had a think about it and I am absolutely dead on my feet now. This means that I have got absolutely no chance of getting out of bed at lunch time tomorrow. So....... when I get home, I'll bung on the washing machine and make up another bucket full of sugar soap. Then I will empty out the utility floor which is ramming and wash down the walls, surface and washing machine and tumble drier. By that time, the machine should be finished so I will be able to hang out the washing. If I'm not too knackered by then, I will drag my sorry behind into the kitchen and start wiping down the top of the cupboards. There is masses of gibble up there including DD's leftover Christmas sweets and some of their Easter eggs. If I manage to get all of that done, I will fall into bed an exceedingly happy bunny and then DH will wake me when he goes back to work after his lunch which means I am nearer waking than sleeping so won't miss the alarm.
I reckon that I should have that little lot finished by 11 at the latest. If I manage to get that far done, then I will reward myself with me sewing time in the afternoon and evening and try to get DD's dress made up for her. I can cut it out in the afternoon and then sew it in the evening so I don't have to shift everything for tea. I might even have time to start cutting out the blocks for my quilt that I want to make for DH for our 10th wedding anniversary.
I did explain to him that the quilt would be for our anniversary from me to him but that I was buying the fabric with my birthday money and it might not be finished anywhere near the 9th June! Perhaps even for our 20th anniversary :rotfl::D.

Penelope_Penguin

Good morning all :beer: DH has fgot more from the loft for me to sort out today, so the decluttering continues :T I have several things to list on Freecycle, and a box of paperwork to sort/file/recycle

short_bird wrote: »

Him Indoors is very good at that sort of recycling: it seems to be his mission at parties to clear the obscure liqueurs from cupboards and cabinets:rotfl:

I'm doing my best to finish off a litre bottle of Baileys now :beer: Well, not right now, first thing in the morning is too early even for me

short_bird wrote: »

What's stopping any of us taking stuff down the charity shop now, rather than storing it to sell on ebay (with its attendant packaging) or car boot or whatever?

I can't be bothered with selling on eBay Freecycle is my friend atm :T

nikki1986 wrote: »

IAny tips for a decluttering newbie? I'm thinking of trying to get rid of at least 1 thing each morning before I go to work. Baby steps!

Sounds like a plan :T