2016 Decluttering Thread

[FLA]

I had to buy boxes for my move and as much as I hated paying for boxes, I just did it and didn't let myself think about it. I could occasionally get either giant boxes at work or occasionally the printer paper sized ones. A friend gave me hers, as well. So I didn't have to buy that many. But I hear you, it stinks, especially if you need 100.

[disneysteve]

it is harder and harder to find free boxes at stores as stores aren't giving them away anymore.

If stores don't have boxes, check with offices. Your doctor, dentist, lawyer, accountant, etc. Between printer paper and office supplies, we recycle a big stack of boxes every week. When I need boxes that's where I get them.

[JoeP]

We used to get tons of boxes from liquor stores, try there.

Speaking of storage, does anyone have a preferred brand/size for those plastic totes with lids? I am finding that all the odd sizes we've accumulated are hard to stack and become brittle over time. I'm half considering buying a couple dozen of a specific brand and size but want to be sure about quality and function first.

[creditcardfree]

Speaking of storage, does anyone have a preferred brand/size for those plastic totes with lids? I am finding that all the odd sizes we've accumulated are hard to stack and become brittle over time. I'm half considering buying a couple dozen of a specific brand and size but want to be sure about quality and function first.

The kind I like is the ones with the lids attached, they flip open to the sides. Not sure of the brand. They stack really well open or closed.

However, the more we've decluttered the few plastic storage we need. I'm almost to the point of decluttering storage containers!

[creditcardfree]

I have 15 of those huge wardrobe size boxes and thinking that they really won't do much for my needs......ARGH!

Put a request on Craigslist or a local Facebook page. There is bound to be someone that moved into your area that would have a stash of moving boxes. You might inquire with moving companies as well. Often they pick up the used boxes and either provide for a low fee or free to others.

You can pack bedding and bath towels in those wardrobe boxes. Or tall items, such as lightweight vases, floral arrangements, stuffed animals. I noticed that our moving company put bedding in with picture frames on the sides of the boxes. Lamps and shades might work in those boxes if careful with how you pack them.

You might want to rent a moving dolly to assist with moving large boxes.

[Gailete]

I wish you lived near me. We have had to burn mounds of boxes as well as give some to my son that sells on line as well. The boxes just keep coming! I can never find anyone to take them, the extra bubble wrap and air pillows out of my hands. I do product reviews for Amazon as well as buy product from them and they don't like letting a box ship that isn't their logo box, so I will get a box that has another box enclosed in it.

I sell sewing patterns on line and they certainly don't need boxes except for a very rare order. But this stuff stacks up. If someone could figure out a way for someone like me to get in contact with those that need the boxes as I get them in all sizes, including big boxes that my shipping envelopes come in. I got a set of four kitchen towels to try and review this past week. A Tyvek bag wasn't good enough, Amazon shipped them in a box.

So if you know anyone who sells or buys a lot on line, or you know someone that knows someone try to contact them.

[msomnipotent]

A sister came over yesterday to help with the basement. We got 4 boxes and 3 bags of stuff packed for the charity pick up on Tuesday. We filled up the recycling bin again and now I will have to wait until next Friday to go through the magazines I found. Yes, I found more. I don't know why I have magazines all over the basement. I threw away a large bag of garbage, too. Alas, we started playing ping pong and drinking beer once the ping pong table was cleared, and that was it for the night. I also drove over a bunch of bubble wrap with my daughter's moped, which made my sister pee in her pants and go home, so it was an early night. I would get a lot more done if we didn't have so many toys in the basement!

[FLA]

I also drove over a bunch of bubble wrap with my daughter's moped, which made my sister pee in her pants and go home, so it was an early night. I would get a lot more done if we didn't have so many toys in the basement!

hilarious!

[creditcardfree]

We moved in July last year. Today we finally hung curtains in two rooms. The curtains have been sitting on a shelf in our master closet. Now they are no longer clutter!

[disneysteve]

2 ebay items sold. One will be shipped in the morning. Waiting on payment for the other.

Listed an item last night that already has a bid so that will be out of here next week.

Forgot to mention that I found one item in the basement that I mailed to a friend in Florida who I know will appreciate it.

ETA: Listed 2 more items on ebay tonight.

[dawnwes]

If stores don't have boxes, check with offices. Your doctor, dentist, lawyer, accountant, etc. Between printer paper and office supplies, we recycle a big stack of boxes every week. When I need boxes that's where I get them.

I have been. They say, "sure, come on over" and I get there and they have about 5 or 6 boxes and tell me I can come back for more but they won't store them. So, 30 min. or so round trip for just a few boxes.

It is honestly wearing on me. I don't have time for all of this.

And I have ads on Craigslist, my local sales and buying site, and a local mom's group. I keep updating it. That is where I got the huge boxes I probably won't be able to use.

[dawnwes]

Put a request on Craigslist or a local Facebook page. There is bound to be someone that moved into your area that would have a stash of moving boxes. You might inquire with moving companies as well. Often they pick up the used boxes and either provide for a low fee or free to others.

You can pack bedding and bath towels in those wardrobe boxes. Or tall items, such as lightweight vases, floral arrangements, stuffed animals. I noticed that our moving company put bedding in with picture frames on the sides of the boxes. Lamps and shades might work in those boxes if careful with how you pack them.

You might want to rent a moving dolly to assist with moving large boxes.

I have had ads on both places as well as a local mom's group for weeks!

As for the wardrobe boxes, I may be able to use one or two for bedding/blankets, but I am HOPING those things will just go house and house and won't even need a box.

I have one full of clothing and extra pillows. But I can't fill the other 14 or whatever it is I have in there.

[Gailete]

I will have to wait until next Friday to go through the magazines I found. Yes, I found more. I don't know why I have magazines all over the basement

I love magazines depending on the brand. Before tossing you might want to double check the types and whether your local library would like them for a book sale or your local thrift store. The more specific the magazine, the better. I know every library sales and thrift store visit, I always heck through whatever magazines have been donated as I generally pick up each and every quilting, embroidery, crafting magazine I can find. A while back I got a several years worth of Primitive Quilting at the thrift store. All in issue order. I am keeping them for now, but may list them for sale eventually. I also have picked up around a decades worth of Cook's Magazine from America's Test kitchen. I love reading them and checking out the recipes. I once found a Watch magazine and picked it up for a dime. I was fascinated reading it and discovered when it comes to high value watches, Rolex is the Timex of that group. Anyhow I ended up selling for $10 to someone in Israel!

Just saying don't toss what someone else will love, assuming you have a place close enough to donate to and can find it convenient to do so.

[creditcardfree]

As for the wardrobe boxes, I may be able to use one or two for bedding/blankets, but I am HOPING those things will just go house and house and won't even need a box.

I have one full of clothing and extra pillows. But I can't fill the other 14 or whatever it is I have in there.

If you are doing a local move, you might cut the wardrobe boxes in half. Either leave open or cut down the sides to make flaps on the end that was cut from the other half.

[dawnwes]

If you are doing a local move, you might cut the wardrobe boxes in half. Either leave open or cut down the sides to make flaps on the end that was cut from the other half.

They need to close as they need to be stacked and stack easily.

I found a few more boxes and will pick them up tonight. I will also check another place tomorrow and see what I can find.

I have a place to buy them cheaply, so if I have to go that route, they are sturdy, double corrugated 24x18x12 for $1. I may end up buying some.