30 bags in 30 days decluttering method

Calendargirl

AreWeThereYet

Guesswhat I'm with you on the paperwork. We started during lockdown and shredded bag after bag of paperwork. We're very bad at doing it, so end up with piles of shredding. We use the recyclable charity bags that come through the door for the shreddings so they can go in the recycling bin.

No!

Shredded paper jams up the machines and must NOT be put in with recycled paper.

Has to go in general waste unfortunately, even though it’s paper.

Not ours - we just have to make sure it's bagged up, which it is, and put in the recycling bin. It maybe extracted at the recycling plant and dealt with differently, I don't know.

There are huge differences in what different councils will accept. There are even differences in the number of recycling bins (all for different items) in different areas of my small town. They all go to the same recycling plant, so it makes no sense to me.

Anyway. No bags went out yesterday, but two are half filled with different types of rubbish, so I'm taking it as a win. The plan is to carry on where I left off today, and aim to have a few full bags ready for the charity collection on 15th by the end of the weekend.

Days 11, 12, 13 - A hectic few days, so I’m playing catch-up. On Friday I managed to cobble together a few things, including tatty old underwear, to throw out.

Yesterday, Saturday, I was out all day so I’m trying to make up for it today. I’ve been clearing out some stuff from the back yard and have got some broken pots to chuck out.

For today’s effort, I’ve emptied a tub, in my front garden, containing cushions for my outdoor furniture. Some damp has got in, a couple of the cushions have mildewed and are beyond saving.

By the time I’ve finished pottering about, I’m hopeful I’ll have accomplished three days’ worth of de-clutterment.

Some kitchen china and mugs today, still needing to be boxed.

And three over-ripe bananas went into two cakes!

I had over-ripe bananas that were destined for a banoffee pie, but I've just realised that my husband has eaten the digestives 😡

Doodledog

I had over-ripe bananas that were destined for a banoffee pie, but I've just realised that my husband has eaten the digestives 😡

Do you peel and freeze - thaw to use in baking?

I have been working through January making myself throw one thing away a day. I've done quite well, especially sorting out old medicines and toiletries. This month I am on a mission to sort the spare room. There is a sofa bed in there that makes a double bed but it takes up all the width of the room when it is out and has a heavy frame. I don't have any couples to stay now, only single people so I'm going to get rid and put in a smaller lightweight one that I can actually move. Problem is I found 3 quilts and 6 pillows that are surplus to requirements under the sofa bed and in the wardrobe.

I have found that Dunelm will take in old quilts, pillows, curtains and sheets, which is great. I will ask the local dog's home first if they want them.

I have found that Dunelm will take in old quilts, pillows, curtains and sheets, which is great

Oh good, thank you for that information.
I have a nearly new summer/winter feather and down duvet, probably not suitable for the dog refuge.

Now, I did have a list of shopping to do in Dunelm .......
Or is that not in the spirit of this thread?

Hi Callistemon21 Roll it up tight and put it in a bin bag. My local Dunelm has an area near the tills where they can be left.

I understand they pass them on to another company who reuses as much as they can.

Thanks Lyndylou

Norah

Doodledog

I had over-ripe bananas that were destined for a banoffee pie, but I've just realised that my husband has eaten the digestives 😡

Do you peel and freeze - thaw to use in baking?

No, he's too big to fit in the baskets.

Our Tesco also takes bedding and textiles.

I’ve got a carload of mixed recycling to take to the dump this week. I’ve also found somewhere that takes unwanted tools so they can go, too. That might be tomorrow’s job, actually.

You've all been doing well
I took a shopping trolley full of stuff to the charity shop on Friday and have made an appointment for this next Friday too.

My df who has cleared my filing cabinet (I want to give it away) brought the contents back in labelled box files and similar, is coming back tomorrow to talk to me give me a talking to

Where did you find to give tools to suedonim?

It’s a Reuse container at our local recycling centre, Grammaretto. They take almost anything in the way of household items there and it’s all collected by a company that utilises it by various means.

Where we lived before the Men’s Shed sometimes were interested in tools, too.

Today's haul was 2 bags to the bin (one paper and one assorted). Plus three binbags of assorted books and miscellaneous items are ready for the collection in a couple of weeks.

I often find with tedious jobs that little progress seems to be made until all of a sudden things fall into place and there is a result.

SueDonim thanks

Day 14 - a very poor effort. I’ve been out for most of the day and my favourite tv programmes are on soon : Mastermind, Only Connect and University Challenge. So a meagre offering today, a tiny bagful only.

I really need to sort out clothes and costume jewellery but I can’t get around to it at the moment.

Under pressure, towards the 30 day deadline, I’ll put a serious effort in. Promise!

We went up in our store room, to sort our treasures.

I wasn't on board with getting rid of much fabric, but did agree to using a bit to do the dining room chairs (tomorrow). So that came down stairs, along with some fabric I truly will never use and can donate. Result will be 10 waxed and covered DR chairs end of tomorrow and 2 bags of fabric.

He wasn't on board with donating any of his precious items.

We will be sorting in the store room again later this week.

Mine is like that. When I started the declutter it was under the misapprehension that all the 'stuff' was mine, but now that it's been sorted, the reality is clear. It wasn't.

I'm starting on clothes tomorrow. I have ridiculous amounts that will never be worn again, and the are going to the charity collection. That will make a big difference to upstairs, as I'll be able to get the clothes I do wear in the wardrobes for a change.

My df came over yesterday to explain her sorting. She had completely cleared my filing cabinet and taken the contents away , sorted all the papers into labelled files and folders but there was one box which needed immediate attention.
She sat beside me while I dealt with that. A call to my lawyer, a cup of tea.
It's exhausting isn't it!

My collection for charity is growing but there is still masses to do.
It's too easy to shut the drawers and forget it all.
I took photos of stuff which is my DC's and posted them on family chat. Little response so far . I wonder if they are scared that as I am threatening to throw away their "treasures", I am somehow throwing away them!
Perhaps I am overthinking this?

Finished my part of the study yesterday and have two bags ready with lots of others for out-of-town recycling.
I think someone I know in the village is doing the same as we keep meeting at the village recycling. If we use that the funds go to the parish council. Our phone box has also been turned into a lending library which is handy.
None of the charity shops seems interested.
I will have to be careful as a lot of DH's clearing seems to be disappearing into byres we have in the garden and I suspect are being secreted away.
This morning is a spice and jar cupboard that I quickly looked at yesterday, I'll clear it out and keep a list in case I think we still have items when planning cooking. I'm thinking of a card system with a list of what is in the food cupboards and cross of when used.
Any offers for ten tins of tomatoes that I found tucked away since lockdown and forgotten? I could also supply a hotel with loo rolls tucked away in one of the byres.

I cannot see anything else to de-clutter inside the house and very little in my garage, which contains my 3 bikes plus all the maintenance stuff for them. It also contains a lot of diy, just in case, stuff in neatly labelled boxes. My carving equipment, oh dear, hand on brow

So I will concentrate on outside next, I have a lot inside good waterproof storage, mostly keter. I will have a lot to give away, good plant pots and so on. If truth be told, I want a whole keter empty for logs by next summer. I want to wait for warmer weather, it will take hours at a time

Doodledog

Mine is like that. When I started the declutter it was under the misapprehension that all the 'stuff' was mine, but now that it's been sorted, the reality is clear. It wasn't.

I'm starting on clothes tomorrow. I have ridiculous amounts that will never be worn again, and the are going to the charity collection. That will make a big difference to upstairs, as I'll be able to get the clothes I do wear in the wardrobes for a change.

Today was successful. Ten chair seats covered. We decided to do the kitchen chairs next week - a well worth it faff.

And he's giving up 2 bags old (ugly) sports clothes. He admitted he wasn't looking to a plastic box in the storage room before tennis to look for (40 yr old) sports attire. His tennis sartorial choices are odd, at best.

Day 15 - am halfway through the 30 day method. I wish I could say I’ve made great strides but no, I haven’t.

A small bag again today of odds and ends. And I’m no nearer getting to grips with my main clutterdom :-

Clothes
Bedding
Costume jewellery

Gah!