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Decluttering

(998 Posts)
HelterSkelter1 Sat 21-Sept-24 14:08:11

I have single striped blue flat sheets and striped pink sheets from when I was 14 at home. Really good condition for 60 years old and made from good quality cotton. I will never use them and didn't for my 2 daughters as they would have needed very good ironing. Thry had poly cotton duvet covers and fitted poly cotton sheets.

I feel so attached to them but who would want cotton sheets needing ironing now? They would create a block of space in thr underbed drawer. My daughters would send straight to the charity shop if I were not here. Suggestions please.

MissAdventure Sat 21-Sept-24 14:06:46

I suggest the arm sweep method, Doodledog

Hold a bag open, sweep your arms across all of the jumpers, and "sweep" them into the bag.

Tie up the bag, quickly, ready for charity shop.

Doodledog Sat 21-Sept-24 14:04:21

My jumpers will be worn, MissA. I will have to get rid of older items that have not been worn in ages to make space for them, however.

Marydoll Sat 21-Sept-24 14:03:40

I did a bit this morning, only because the rail in my spare wardrobe broke.
I have surprised by how ruthless I was . Usually, I am consumed by guilt.
However, I am totally exhausted.

I have been doing my Swedish Death Clean for weeks. Ill health means I can only do it a little bit a time. I even have a pick up booked for BHS.

It has been cathartic.

Tizliz Sat 21-Sept-24 13:58:30

I was forced to declutter as my clever husband invited a friend to stay which clashed with family visiting so I had to clear out the spare, spare room. Threw out old duvet, pillows, bedspread and that made room in my ‘Brian’ to put both vacuums and odds and sods. So much tidier but how long will it last

MissAdventure Sat 21-Sept-24 13:10:52

Feelingmyage55

*MissA*. Are the cupboards A, B, C and D. Who are they named after?

Hello, yes they are, so they each have a name beginning with their respective letter.

The names are just random.

When my grandson moved in, we (I) was always shouting "it's in the first cupboard!"

And "No, the first one nearest the kitchen, not the one near the front door!"

So we named them.
I have a cabinet named colin,too.

Astitchintime Sat 21-Sept-24 12:34:27

MissAdventure

I think I'll put some music on, and try to do 5 songs worth of work before I rest.

I like the sound of that (pardon the pun). Although I might stretch to a complete CD - have to sort through the summer clothes ready for packing away into the boxes where the winter clothes are presently stored smile

Thisismyname1953 Sat 21-Sept-24 12:33:27

I cleared out my wardrobe the other week. It now only has things that fit me , summer things on one side and winter things on the other side.
Over the past few weeks I have bought a new duvet and all new bedding, duvet covers , pillow cases and fitted sheets. I have put all my old bedding in the fabric bin at our local fire station .
I can’t wait to sleep in my lovely new bed !

Feelingmyage55 Sat 21-Sept-24 12:32:29

MissA. Are the cupboards A, B, C and D. Who are they named after?

MissAdventure Sat 21-Sept-24 12:28:03

I think I'll put some music on, and try to do 5 songs worth of work before I rest.

Bea65 Sat 21-Sept-24 12:24:10

Am in the midst of decluttering as painter coming again next weekend… I can only do a bit at a time as feel exhausted and back pain becomes unbearable BUT I will press on and focus 😀

MissAdventure Sat 21-Sept-24 12:22:19

Yes, that's my aim each day, Doodledog.

I have managed to clear out the cupboard next to Brian (Adrian) a bit at a time.

I have four of these blasted cupboards, though!

Now then... these jumpers... do you have a plan for them?

Doodledog Sat 21-Sept-24 12:19:08

loopyloo

Oh yes, much needed.
Where to start?

At the beginning grin

Have you got a cupboard of some sort that needs clearing? I did all of my downstairs by clearing out a sideboard. That created space for me to put things from elsewhere until they had somewhere of their own to go. It’s a domino effect.

Doodledog Sat 21-Sept-24 12:16:29

I agree with MissA. Chuck as much as possible. There will always be old clothes to replace them if you need to.

Sorry it’s so difficult MissA. I suppose it’s a case of little and often? Even one or two things a day will add up over time.

Ilovecheese Sat 21-Sept-24 12:15:47

Thank you Miss A, I will get rid this very day.

loopyloo Sat 21-Sept-24 12:15:15

Oh yes, much needed.
Where to start?

MissAdventure Sat 21-Sept-24 12:12:53

You could keep one outfit and one sheet,just in case?

Or, get rid of the lot, and assume you'll be able to find or buy something, if you ever really need to paint something.

I'd get rid of the lot.

Ilovecheese Sat 21-Sept-24 12:08:43

I have a shelf in my fabric cupboard which is full of old sheets and old clothes to be used when decorating. Shall I just accept that we will probably never paint our own ceilings again and just get rid?

MissAdventure Sat 21-Sept-24 12:03:09

I'm up against it, because I'm so rarely able to get done the essentials, these days.

I need such frequent rests, and often fall asleep midday, until the next morning. angry

Doodledog Sat 21-Sept-24 11:56:26

Brian has ready made enemies on this thread 😎. We are here for you.

I am dreading the necessary attack on wardrobes. Some may remember that I did this with a vengeance last year, but I need to begin round 2. I think it will be harder, as the things in there are the cull survivors so have an advantage of sorts.

The trouble is that I have knitted more jumpers (don’t they take up space?) since then, and have failed to lose the weight I’d hoped for, so here we are. I need to get rid of more😩

MissAdventure Sat 21-Sept-24 11:49:31

I have a big, walk in cupboard in my hall (it's name is Brian)

Brain has ended up with so much stuff ; all loose, with nails, and paint, and glue, and Christmas stuff.

MissAdventure Sat 21-Sept-24 11:46:53

Oh yes please!

I really, really need to declutter.

Doodledog Sat 21-Sept-24 11:36:44

It’s that time of year.

Who is looking to get rid of extraneous items and declutter their houses ready for winter and associated upcoming festivals?

I have two boxes of books waiting to be collected on Tuesday, and hope to add a few bags of clothing before they get here. My decorator is coming to do various bits and bobs, and I need to clear the decks ahead of that, which is my motivation for starting now.

I also need to clear out a huge kitchen cupboard which will become a walk-in larder if the carpenter ever gets back to me.

What’s on your declutter list? Record your successes and difficulties on this thread and support one another.

No lectures on why we shouldn’t need to declutter, please? We know grin. Start another thread about people who are disorganised or who shouldn’t buy too much in the first place and we can choose not to engage with it. This one is for support, encouragement and celebration of clearing ‘stuff’ from our lives.