2014 Get Organized & Declutter Thread

[Chocolate Lover]

DH hauled off everything I decluttered yesterday, so it's officially gone.  He wants to work on the kitchen this weekend. And next weekend is the "free" day at the , so I need to be looking for hazardous junk, electronics and whatever all else I can't easily get rid of regularly during the year. 

[constanz22]

I guess I can bag them up and put them in the donation bin by work.  Like I mentioned yesterday, I don't think they actually use the items.  I think it's one of the ones that just collects to recycle.

[constanz22]

Ok, so, I found 5 pair to throw away and another 5 pair that are like new.  I will ask the consignment shop when I go next week if they take them, if not, maybe I can find someone to pass them on to, or donate to a thrift store.  They look new.

[Saving4Norway]

Undies and big suitcase... Please donate them! I know the thought of someone else's underwear seems creepy to us but to homeless people, they're just thankful to have a clean pair! And the suitcase - they are often needed when a woman (and possibly kids) need to quickly get out of an unhealthy home.

[constanz22]

So far today I loaded and ran the dishwasher, second load of laundry, pulled the tubs of Christmas decorations out from under the stairs to consolidate some.  Need to finish this as well as take the tub down from the living room.  Stripped the bed.  

I would like to keep doing Peter Walsh's 31 day declutter.  So, day 1 was a drawer.  I can count my underwear drawer for that.  Day 2 was sweaters.  I still need to do this.  I don't think I have many to get rid of.  Even though I feel like I live in the tundra, I am not much of a "sweater" person as I get too hot, and especially at work where it is always either 50 degrees or 100 degrees.  I haven't seen today's job yet.  I'll have to check FB again.

[kids3arewe]

Hi there all.. I have been missing in action for a little the holidays are always so overwhleming to me....

but I have begun!!! last night the ex and I went through all of his clothes and got rid of the things that he does not wear or want. at this point they are all in a pile as I am going to let the oldest son go through them and see if there is anything that he want's as he does not have a lot of money for new clothes being a college student...then all that he does not want will be donated....

Goal for this weekend is to go through the christmas stuff and purge what we do not use, and to get the tree down...  yes it is still up in all of it's glory in the living room...then I want to start making a master plan as to what I want/need to get done this year....
I know that I am a littel behind, but I figure starting late is better than not starting at all...so we shall see...it is so cold here that I do not want to go anywhere that I don't have to go....

Stay strong everyone.....

[Wisconsin Beth]

kids, in my family it's traditional to leave the tree up until Jan. 6th, in honor of the 3 Kings.  So you don't have to be embarrassed about the tree - you've got another week for that!    We're taking ours down this weekend so we won't actually make it to the 6th.  Oh well. 

[startsmart]

kilroy- I would offer up the suitcase on Craigslist or Freecycle asap! There are bound to be some college students returning to school who need a larger suitcase or someone moving who would love to take it off your hands. Just noticed Norway's suggestion for the homeless shelter: great idea! I'd also add in foster care homes too

Donating undies - it's kind of tricky because I too hate to throw away something still useful and I'm not going to use underwear to clean. I call around and offer "practically new" pairs to the local assisted living because most residents are on a fixed income or have family buying everything and I know from the experience with my grandma that when they're on new meds, get sick or mistakenly throw a pair away every day then they'll quickly run out. The home will wash anyway and it saves money on Depends too.

snapdragon- for laundry piles I am really weird and try to "just sort" things first. I'll empty the basket and then refill it with just the towels. Make a game of throwing them in the basket while awarding myself imaginary points Then I'll say… we'll I'll just put away unmentionables in case the house is on fire and a hot fireman comes in here and sees my bras. Then, okay I'll fold my jeans. Then, throw all the socks in a small basket to match up. About that time I'm 80% done so I just finish

rukh - love your plan for the year!

I'm running the dishwasher and need to put away the wood stacked up on my kitchen table. I hate working in the house but the garage is so cold this time of year! One of my friends is coming over for lunch so the living room will need to be decent before she arrives. One of the bookshelves on Craigslist already has a buyer so I should have cash and it'll be out of my house tonight!

[constanz22]

Ok, so, Peter Walsh's chore today is under the bed.  Actually, that is probably the neatest and most organized place in my whole house.  I store out of season shoes in the flat Rubbermaid tubs under there, and I think there is a tub of extra blankets/bedding, and usually my winter gloves and scarves, which are out now.  I will take a quick look cuz it probably could use a quick vacuum of dust bunnies.

[WholeLottaNothin]

Constanz - I liked Peter Walsh on fb last night. Thanks for the tip!

I am going to focus on our bedroom this weekend. It looks like a disaster area. We simply just have to much stuff for the space we have. And it takes very little for it to go from tolerable to code red emergency! Hopefully the kiddo goes to bed early one of these nights. That is when i am able to get a lot of stuff done. Happens a couple of times per week, usually one of which is on the weekend. Good luck everyone!

[tcu2003]

Gulp - I'm going to take the plunge and join in this year.  Like a few others, we're also planning to move this year.  Our *goal* would be to list our house at the end of February, and we have a ton of stuff that needs to happen before then.

[Deleted]

I've been looking at Peter Walsh's FB page too! Thanks jbxtwo for the idea!

I didn't do the first two challenges (I did my sweaters in Dec) but I did today's. I found three items under the bed:
- DH's small weights (he bought them to strengthen his hand after his accident so I'm leaving them.)   
- Extra pillows ... I put them into the linen closet.
- A Santa costume DH found on sale for 2e that he forgot about ... I put that into his closet.

So just the weights under the bed now. I will get a container for those next time I'm at a store that sells them.




 

[Deleted]

Rukh, I love your plan too! Just a question, though: did you take into account your busy periods, for school and work? I'm guessing you did since I see no goals for Sept 1 and Oct 1. Don't forget about getting the outdoor tap repaired and getting a second garden hose and timer when you do that part! 

Also for those of you who have done the Peter Walsh 31-day challenges before:What do you do when you go back to work? Are you supposed to catch up on your days off, or is the idea that you can always manage one task per day? I'm not planning to do all his challenges anyway, but I'm curious.

[constanz22]

Jan 3, 2014 14:48:53 GMT -5 @debthaven2 said:

Rukh, I love your plan too! Just a question, though: did you take into account your busy periods, for school and work? I'm guessing you did since I see no goals for Sept 1 and Oct 1. Don't forget about getting the outdoor tap repaired and getting a second garden hose and timer when you do that part! 

Also for those of you who have done the Peter Walsh 31-day challenges before:What do you do when you go back to work? Are you supposed to catch up on your days off, or is the idea that you can always manage one task per day? I'm not planning to do all his challenges anyway, but I'm curious.

This is the first time I've known about his challenge and done it, but they all appear to be quick chores.  He has a YouTube video on his site introducing the challenge and I think he said most are like 15 minute jobs.  The first three pretty much are so I think most will be.

[Deleted]

Thanks Constanz!  

ETA: I guess I missed the introductory video, off to watch that now.

[chalupabatman]

Busymom and Sheila- Thank you! 


Weekend list
         
* Pick up daughter's new bed from store and put it together
* put new sheets and comforter on bed
* Re-arrange daughter's room (they will be sharing)
* Vacuum cob webs up by daughter's skylight
* Take down our Christmas decorations
* prep living room and toy room to be painted
* paint living room and toy room
* touch up ceilings and trim

Today's list

* catch up on laundry
* clean daughter's room
* vacuum living room
* vacuum daughter's room
* take recycling out to garage
* tidy up shoes by front entrance
* empty garbage cans
* clean kitchen counters
* balance checkbook

Putting away Christmas decorations should be pretty easy.  Before we decorated we went through everything and donated what we didn't like or haven't put out in the past couple years.

I am not looking forward to painting.  We use tape and cut-in, but no matter how careful we are spots of paint get on the ceilings and trim.  Re-touching takes a long time. 

We are having a boy this time and I am very excited to give our girlie items to my SIL and friends.  We have boxes upon boxes organized, labeled and ready to go!  It will free up so much space in our laundry room  

Constanz-  I had never thought about using the space underneath our bed as storage because our old bed was too close to the ground.  Now that we have a new bed we can get a ton of use out of the Rubbermaid tubs.  It will be perfect for blankets and comforters.  Thank you!

[constanz22]

chalupa-  I have a queen size bed and I can fit FOUR of the big rectangular tubs neatly under it! 

I just did the challenge.  Vacuumed the dust bunnies out and other than the tubs, all that was under there was one stray sock, a hanger and a small piece of cardboard off something.  

[Wisconsin Beth]

Jan 3, 2014 13:15:44 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

Ok, so, Peter Walsh's chore today is under the bed.  Actually, that is probably the neatest and most organized place in my whole house.  I store out of season shoes in the flat Rubbermaid tubs under there, and I think there is a tub of extra blankets/bedding, and usually my winter gloves and scarves, which are out now.  I will take a quick look cuz it probably could use a quick vacuum of dust bunnies.

Ha, I just realized I did under the bed for us and both kids within the last month.  I'm sure there's some dust though.  And whatever DD's stashed under her bed since then! 

[whoisjohngalt]

Jan 3, 2014 10:31:17 GMT -5 constanz22 said:

I know I have brought this up in previous years threads, but, I really struggle with what to do with undies!  LOL, I mean, you can't donate them obviously, but I tend to accumulate a ton that I might wear once and don't like them.  They go through the wash, back in the drawer and then I end up with 25 pairs of undies stuffed in my drawer that I won't wear, but I can't bring myself to throw them in the garbage!!  I don't have a problem throwing them out when they get old and worn out.  Sigh...any suggestions?

If they are cotton, I would use them for dusting. 

I don't think you have kids, but *i* would use them for cleaning up crafts, etc.

[whoisjohngalt]

Reading all of your lists is making me REALLLLY tired.   I think I am going to take a nap.

You would think that being snowed in a bit would make me want to do things around the house...but so far I read a whole book and took a shower.  I think I might be done for the day

[Deleted]

Constanz, since you're in social services, could you take the undies to a woman's shelter? They don't need to know they were yours, you can always say somebody you know gave them to you to pass on. 

Rukh that wouldn't be my idea of fun but to each her own LOL. 

Lena, if you're on this thread (for the second year in a row), the state of your house must be bugging you at least a bit. Why not set an easy goal for yourself (after your nap of course)? ;-)

I found two things fascinating about PW's FB page: one, that he said on Day 1, just clean out 1 drawer, for 10 min. Maybe you'll get "the bug". Because it's true, for some people, it IS "contagious".

The other was even only on Day 3, some people didn't need to do the 2nd and 3rd challenges, so they did other things they needed to do instead. 

[startsmart]

My friend had to cancel lunch so my day just got a little bit simpler! I really should finish painting the mantle while the light is bright in here, every time I start it at night I remember how hard it is to see!

I need to pick up a new saw for the wood project and then I can work on assembling the whole deal. It's really annoying to get the wood cut when I buy it and then find out the cuts are inconsistent. I think after I sell these 2 bookshelves I'll start looking on Craigslist for a electric saw. Or I could give my dad a budget and let him find one for me since he loves the hunt but doesn't need another saw himself.

[constanz22]

Jan 3, 2014 15:51:36 GMT -5 @debthaven2 said:

Constanz, since you're in social services, could you take the undies to a woman's shelter? They don't need to know they were yours, you can always say somebody you know gave them to you to pass on. 

Rukh that wouldn't be my idea of fun but to each her own LOL. 

Lena, if you're on this thread (for the second year in a row), the state of your house must be bugging you at least a bit. Why not set an easy goal for yourself (after your nap of course)? ;-)

I found two things fascinating about PW's FB page: one, that he said on Day 1, just clean out 1 drawer, for 10 min. Maybe you'll get "the bug". Because it's true, for some people, it IS "contagious".

The other was even only on Day 3, some people didn't need to do the 2nd and 3rd challenges, so they did other things they needed to do instead. 

Yes, I probably could do that.  One of my clients gave me two bags of baby clothes the other day that her little one has grown out of and wanted me to drop the off at the women's shelter.  They are still in the trunk of our agency car, so, yeah, I could add these to it and drop off some day when I'm out and about.  Good idea, tx.

[constanz22]

I am happy with what I've accomplished today.  Dishwasher ran, 2 loads of laundry done, vacuumed living room, vacuumed under bed, repacked some of the Christmas tubs and they are all back under the stairs, wiped down top of stove, stripped bed, cleaned out the undie drawer, took donation bag to the car, unloaded some stuff out of the car from Wed., shoveled a pee spot for the dogs.  Doesn't sound like a lot, but it feels like it.  I'm a little sore!

If I can do a couple more similar days, I should be in halfway decent shape for now.

[Deleted]

Everybody seems to hate running the dishwasher. I don't mind running it, but emptying it is my most hated chore. (Changing our quilt / duvet cover is a close second, but I only do that once a week.) With 4 kids (although the two oldest don't live here anymore) I run it at least once a day, and often twice a day on weekends. Even though I HATE emptying it, I think about having to wash all those dishes and forks and knives and spoons and pots and pans by hand. And then suddenly emptying it seems a lesser evil LOL.

I also play a "game" with myself, similar to what Start does with the laundry: I time myself. At this point I can empty a full dishwasher in 5 or 6 minutes. All our "everyday" dishes and glasses and pots and pans are within a step or two of the dishwasher.

It's usually the last thing I do at night, run and empty the dishwasher. DH NEVER thinks it's full enough to run, so I generally wait till he falls asleep on the couch. If I run it that evening, I can run it on the short (35 min) cycle. And it means I get to wake up to a clean kitchen.  DH wakes up earlier than me, so sometimes the "dishwasher fairy" comes. And DS3 is the "cutlery elf" when he is home. 

What is your most hated chore? 

[Chocolate Lover]

Dishwasher at my house is portable, so you have to connect to the kitchen sink and lose the water source for an hour. Even the "short" cycle is right about an hour. I hate that and putting away laundry/matching socks. 

Who am I kidding? I hate all housework, but those are the worst.

[constanz22]

I used to totally DREAD loading the dishwasher.  It just seemed like this huge task.  I would wait til the sink and next to the sink was full.  One day, after dreading it ALL day, I decided I would take my iPod out and listen to music while I did it.  Now, remember, this was a mountain of dishes!  Imagine my surprise when I was DONE after one stinkin' song!!  What, about 3 1/2 minutes??  I laughed SO hard at myself but it was a good lesson to learn.  Even when I have a ton to do, I just get to it cuz I know now it only takes a few minutes!!!!

[constanz22]

I pretty much hate all housework too.  Not sure I can even think of my most dreaded chore.  Probably mopping the kitchen and cleaning the tub/shower, mainly cuz they leave me in pain ever since I had my hysterectomy, so, I very rarely do either, but at least I live alone so they don't really need to be done very often!

[constanz22]

One more chore I will finish tonight, pack up my Partylite nativity set.  It is right here in the LR so I will do it while I'm watching TV tonight.  I may sell it next year.  I have the complete set and although it's really nice, I'm not all that attached to it and they were selling for $70-100+ on eBay before Christmas.

Oh, and I haven't remade the bed yet, will have to do that.  Lol!

[Deleted]

Rukh, I like PW a lot, but I agree that PW's tasks seem "random". Remember that he's targeting and encouraging people who are just starting out. I'm still interested in his challenges, but that doesn't mean I'll do them all. So far I've done 1/3 (today's, under the bed). I'm also curious as to how many of the 31 he suggests I will do, but that's another issue.

There are "dishwasher cleaners" you run through an empty dishwasher. But the best one is ... white vinegar. Would you feel better about using your dishwasher if you ran it empty to clean it out with a bottle of white vinegar, rather than run every load twice? I do that once a month, a bottle of white vinegar into the empty dishwasher and run it. Maybe to keep within your comfort zone, you need to do it more often. Also, you should try different cleaning agents, to find one whose smell bothers you less. There are probably organic ones you could use.