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30 bags in 30 days decluttering method

(639 Posts)
Guesswhat Mon 23-Jan-23 22:14:03

Would anybody like to join me in this?

I’ve read about a method where you chuck out/donate one bag of clutter every day for 30 days. As an inveterate hoarder who wants to get on top of things at last, I’m going to go for it! (Only a carrier bag, mind. Not a big refuse sack.)

Tomorrow I’ll start with a bag of books to take to the charity shop. The day after, maybe some clothes. By recording my progress on here, I’m hoping to keep up the good work.

Wish me luck!

Casdon Fri 17-Feb-23 08:01:01

One thing I’ve realised this week that I’ve been doing is to buy a replacement when things are looking past their best, but not getting rid of the old item, so the new ones are in the drawer waiting to be used still. It’s the inner Scrooge in me I think, saying you can just squeeze a few more uses out of the old items first. The culprits so far are towels, tea towels and kitchen cloths, fleeces, coats, oven trays, and socks. I’m going to have an airing cupboard purge today and get rid of a load of old towels.

Yammy Fri 17-Feb-23 09:11:13

I'm trying to do an idea I read in a mag , whilst making supper and watching pans etc. I clean out one of the kitchen drawers with a bag handy ready for the rubbish. I'm not as much a hoarder as DH.
DD is coming this weekend and I had a desk light and some other things ready for her and He suddenly found he uses the lamp!!!!!. He has one on the desk that he insisted was more functional so when does he use it? Er, about twice a year when he sits in an unused chair in the study. I have stopped telling him what I am up to.

Guesswhat Fri 17-Feb-23 20:55:37

Days 22 23 24 - still catching up. Why, oh why did I choose to undertake all this at a time when I’ve got lots of other commitments? Bah!

Still, a little is better than nothing. Hopefully, I’ll have more opportunity to clutterbust next week. Well done all of you who’ve managed to stay the course smile.

Callistemon21 Fri 17-Feb-23 21:01:52

Some clothes I bought for 'special occasions' have gone into a bag today; I kept them just in case, but I probably will not wear them again.
Hardly worn shoes and boots are in a bag too.

Doodledog Fri 17-Feb-23 22:34:42

In my experience it's best not to tell husbands about getting rid of things, as junk suddenly transforms into precious items when they think you might have decided to get rid of it.

I haven't put anything out of the house today, but I have sorted out hundreds of CDs and put them away. I had a friend round this morning, and then a Zoom meeting, so there wasn't time to do more. Tomorrow I have another Zoom in the morning, but there might be time to get back on the case in the afternoon.

Norah Sat 18-Feb-23 11:06:20

Doodledog In my experience it's best not to tell husbands about getting rid of things, as junk suddenly transforms into precious items when they think you might have decided to get rid of it.

Correct, however we'll be having the 'getting rid' convo about ugly old golf clothing in the upstairs storeroom, again, today. hmm

Callistemon21 Sat 18-Feb-23 11:11:55

What are you doing with the CDs and any DVDs, Doodledog?

Ours are put away in boxes but what now .....
No-one wants them yet. Are they collectors' items of the future?

Callistemon21 Sat 18-Feb-23 11:12:46

Nearly new down and feather duvets anyone? No-one wants them.

Patsy70 Sat 18-Feb-23 11:35:17

Callistemon21. Charity shops still take donations of CDs & DVDs. Animal rescues sometimes accept duvets.

Yammy Sat 18-Feb-23 12:21:07

Grammaretto

Well done yammy grin

I haven't done any decluttering today.
Yoga, haircut and a Gaelic class and I am packing to go away for the weekend.

Where I keep my suitcases shares a wardrobe top with hatboxes so dusty I doubt the hats inside will be worn again.
No more weddings expected in my family. sad
So it's hats to go to charity.

I solved the Dusty things on top of wardrobes Gramaretto by putting them in baskets with lids.
Also think there's a time to declutter and a time to relax, enjoy your yoga and weekend away.wink

Callistemon21 Sat 18-Feb-23 12:23:35

Patsy70

*Callistemon21*. Charity shops still take donations of CDs & DVDs. Animal rescues sometimes accept duvets.

Our charity shops won't take CDs and the nearest one won't take books, either.

I'll ask around about the duvets, because they're feather and down I thought a dog could rip it apart and there would be feathers flying everywhere!

Doodledog Sat 18-Feb-23 14:21:50

Callistemon21

What are you doing with the CDs and any DVDs, Doodledog?

Ours are put away in boxes but what now .....
No-one wants them yet. Are they collectors' items of the future?

I loaded mine onto a hard disk player (called a Brennan, but I think other brands are available) ages ago, and I mostly stream music, but Mr Dog refuses to get rid of his CDs or the vinyl records (or the DVDs, but sufficient unto the daycare is the clutter thereof* 😡), so they are in a cupboard. I couldn't talk him out of it, although left to me we would both use Apple Music or Spotify and one of the numerous film streaming services we have.

My son got rid of all his CDs and DVDs to Music Magpie a while ago. Most of them are worth very little, but some (for reasons he couldn't fathom) went for pounds rather than pennies. As he had lots of them he got a bit of money, but nothing like what he's paid, of course, and it's an effort to scan them all and pack them. He has a new wife though, and is still trying to impress her, unlike Mr D, who is more set in his ways grin.

*For completeness - my DVDs are boxed up, but his are in horrible racks in my newly decorated dining room. I plan to get a better rack for now, but hope to persuade him at some point within the decade to get rid of his, too.

AreWeThereYet Sat 18-Feb-23 14:49:47

We sold a lot of our books, CDs and DVDs to Ziffer and WeBuyBooks. We copied the DVDs onto a hard drive first, which was paid for from what we made. Most aren't worth much, as someone else said, but you don't have to pay postage so whatever you make you keep.

Callistemon21 Sat 18-Feb-23 14:55:40

Ah, I was wondering about postage. All very interesting, thank you both smile
DS's friend deals in vinyl and someone said videos are becoming collectable but the videos went to the charity shop years ago.

Callistemon21 Sat 18-Feb-23 14:56:38

I've just been looking through First Day covers - the same one can be £30 on a site yet £1.49 on eBay confused.

AreWeThereYet Sat 18-Feb-23 16:42:13

We have masses of vinyl - Mr A will under no circumstances get rid of his records. On top of that when his Dad died Mr A inherited all his jazz records and loads of others. They are not worth anything now although some time ago some of them were worth a bit, but I can't get Mr A to part with them ☹

AreWeThereYet Sat 18-Feb-23 16:46:17

Callistemon If you go onto the Ziffer or WeBuyAnyBooks site it is possible to put the code in for the book or DVD to find out what they are prepared to pay for it. You don't have to sign up if you don't want to.

MayBee70 Sun 19-Feb-23 09:22:00

I’m house sitting at my daughters but going home each day and, hopefully will concentrate on decluttering. Will also be bringing some of her stuff back to her house!

NotSpaghetti Sun 19-Feb-23 10:12:10

My daughter wonders if we have spare sheets in a king size and spare duvet in double size or any spare pillowcases.
I have just been through a pile of stuff in my boot - it had to all come back in to be measured! 🙄

Callistemon21 Sun 19-Feb-23 10:19:28

AreWeThereYet

Callistemon If you go onto the Ziffer or WeBuyAnyBooks site it is possible to put the code in for the book or DVD to find out what they are prepared to pay for it. You don't have to sign up if you don't want to.

Thank you AreWeThereYet

I think the vinyl will be going back under the stairs very soon ☹

The DC keep saying "Oh, don't throw that out!" to everything
All very well unless we downsize. 🙂

NotSpaghetti Sun 19-Feb-23 10:28:52

I have just passed on a box of Home Farm magazines Grammaretto and Practical Self Sufficiency from the 1970s.

I miss the old days of the Henry Doublday Foundation over in Bocking and the friendliness of the people from the early days at Ryton.

Happy memories.

karmalady Sun 19-Feb-23 13:58:40

It started today by me decorating the spare bed with lovely linen, which looks best crumpled. In process I have unearthed bedding sheets and a pillow, which are no brainers for getting rid. I also have a double size waffle contemporary pure cotton bedspread/throw. I think I am about to put that back into my airing cupboard. I have three and only need two but it is like new and washed and brilliant for very hot weather with a sheet and it is pricey

Doh, I can see me staring at it in my airing cupboard for years to come. It should go but I cannot make myself do it. Two are pale yellow and the one I took out is a nice blue. Maybe it will be easier if I keep one of each colour. confused

karmalady Sun 19-Feb-23 14:04:08

oh I know, I will keep the 3rd yellow one and re-purpose it as t towels. Perfect for that smile

karmalady Sun 19-Feb-23 14:07:12

A summer bathrobe plus t towels, I have a pattern and they will be used

Norah Sun 19-Feb-23 18:07:20

We've decided on a summer garden party to widowed daughter. as our wedding gift. To that end I've been looking into all the linens, assessing what will do, hoping to purchase nothing linen related.

I did find linens that can never suit a use again, bagged & ready.

I'll be checking charity shop for cheap crockery, they tend to give it away - I want to lay round tables with different sorts of plates of china/crockery.

Also pretty glassware and crystal. I have my own, Mum's, and Nan's, but more could be fun. Prosecco flutes.

Not as much de-clutter as add clutter! sad