2025 Decluttering Thread

[disneysteve]

This could go here or in the ebay thread or in the post your wins thread but it is fundamentally a decluttering story.

Last week we were cleaning the house for Passover. I took on cleaning the top of the fridge. One thing that was up there was the lid to the old blender jar. The old jar broke and I bought a new one but saved the old lid just in case. Well, if we really ever need another lid, they're easy enough to find. I listed it on ebay and it sold today for $17.99. Found money from attacking the clutter.

Seriously, if anyone is looking to make some extra cash, decluttering your house is the perfect place to start.

[disneysteve]

Last night, I spent a short time in the garage. I want to start doing that regularly to go through boxes one by one. Last night it was a box of Disney ephemera. I didn't get through the entire box but I did toss a bunch of stuff in the recycling bin, threw out a few little things, made a pile of items I need to check values for, and another pile of stuff to give away. Maybe I'll finish that box tonight if I can.

I finished with that box tonight. Another pile went in the trash/recycling. 3 items came in to get listed on ebay. I'll admit I didn't fully address everything so it was more debulking since a lot of what remains still needs to be dealt with but even if I'm able to cut down on the total number of boxes by debulking them all, that would be a win for now. Layer by layer, the horde is shrinking.

[disneysteve]

I went through another box in the garage tonight. Several things to donate, a couple to sell, and a small bag of personal stuff to keep. I also listed 2 things on ebay today that I had taken out of that last box in the garage.

Oh and I sold some china on Marketplace this morning. I had sold part of the set to Replacements, listed a couple of pieces on ebay, and put the rest on MP, so those are out of here now.

[disneysteve]

I spent the morning in the garage and feel like I made some more real progress. I've got one full carton packed for Goodwill plus a few more items in another carton. A bunch of stuff went in the trash, at least a carton full. I gave away two items in our Buy Nothing group. I put an old kitchen cabinet at the curb and listed it on the Freebie Alert app. It's still out there but I'm sure it'll disappear eventually. I've got 2 boxes of stuff that need to get listed on ebay. One box is a set of 11 books so just one listing. The set goes for about $150. Last thing I did was break down a photo album. I had previously gone through it and removed all of the photos I didn't want. Now I took the rest out of the album and put them in a photo storage box instead. That takes up a lot less space. I can probably get at least 6 albums into one box.

I freed up space on a couple of shelves so as I condense items we want to keep, they can go into that space and get off the floor.

I'm not yet at the point where I can set up a table in there to work at, which is my goal, but I'm getting there. Once I list a bunch of the excess china on ebay I might be able to as it's sucking up floor space right now.

[disneysteve]

We had a free yard "sale" today. Second time we've done this. I put out a table about 8:30am and filled it with a wide assortment of items we have gathered in recent decluttering efforts. I posted it in our Buy Nothing group and on the Freebie Alert app. We were out all morning and got back around 1pm. I'd say 85% of the items were gone. I took in what remained only because we're expecting rain and I didn't want to have to go back out later. What didn't get taken will go to the thrift store.

Yesterday we cleaned out 2 more kitchen cabinets. We collected multiple items that were among those given away today. Several more items went into the basement storage closet.

When we actually start the kitchen job, we'll need to totally empty the cabinets of course, but leading up to that we're working on thinning out the stuff and getting it down to just the stuff that really needs to be in the kitchen once the remodel is complete.

[JoeP]

I love these topics! Every year, I come here to glean valuable tips and apply them in our household. We're hosting some family soon, so we began the process a couple weeks ago:

• Emptied the 3 cabinets in our laundry room. Why do we have 3 partial cans of 10 year old shoe cleaner from the kids? Why does this 1/4 full Pine Sol have crystals in it? Rug shampoo? We don't even have a rug cleaner any more!
• Went through the cabinets over the range hood. What spice is this? What's up with these cake decorations that have fused together? Why do we have 4 little bottles of red food coloring?
• That front closet has always been overstuffed. When company comes, it's always a little embarrassing trying to find a hanger let along space to put a coat. Donated about half the stuff, threw out coats that were worn out. Now we have tons of space. Did the same with the other closet.
• Why do we still have a bin full of construction paper and empty binders and crayons? Kids are in their 20s! Got rid of all that.
• Paint has a lifespan. Yeah, you want to keep some on hand and write down the color and texture somewhere, but you don't need to keep 20 cans of the stuff. If you doubt me, try to open a 15 year old can of paint. After the rusty lid contaminates the paint and you filter the clumps out, you'll probably just give up and get a fresh quart at the store.
• I bought some lawn fertilizer and ended up getting a little too much. When I brough it back to the shed, I found 3 more partial bags of the same stuff. Note to self: buy less next time!

[bjl584]

Currently working on cleaning up the basement. We're getting a chest freezer, so we need to make space.

I have a pile of things that are bound for the dumpster.

[disneysteve]

We now have a start date for our kitchen remodel - 5/27, less than 2 weeks away. Let the purging begin (or continue since it already started).

Today, we spent some time in the basement going through our food and supply storage (paper goods, canned goods, etc.). We got multiple items that didn't belong there put away in their proper places which freed up space which we'll need when we empty the kitchen. We got rid of some very outdated food items. We dumped several bottles of liquor that we will never use. Honestly, I think some of it was still stuff left over from DD's Bat Mitzvah in 2008 so it wasn't even stuff that we bought for ourselves.

Lots more to come for sure.

[disneysteve]

Today we went through our main pantry and one set of cabinets where food is also stored. We were able to toss a number of items, condense several things, and move a bunch of things to the basement. Work doesn't start for 12 more days so we can't totally empty out yet as we're still using it but we took out most of the stuff that we won't use in that time.

[disneysteve]

Many times after working in our garage, I left feeling like I was just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Even though I knew I had done a lot, it never really looked different to the casual observer (like my wife or daughter). The last couple of times I actually felt like I made noticeable progress. Today, I spent several hours in there and by the time I finished up, the space was clearly different. I can honestly say I finally hit that point where anyone can see the change. The garage is the cleanest it has been in probably 25 years. There is a good amount of open floor space. The main walkway is wider. Plus I can now easily walk to the shelves along the far wall without having to climb over anything. It actually feels open and airy in there. I can't remember when I last thought that.

There is still plenty to be done and lots of boxes to sort through but there's now actually space to move around in there and do stuff.

We're in the midst of remodeling our kitchen and in a few weeks we might need to store the new cabinets in there temporarily. Previously that would have been a pipe dream but now, I think it can actually work if we need it to.

[disneysteve]

I think dealing with the kitchen remodel has been spurring me to declutter and minimize all of the stuff. In addition to all I did in the garage the other day, I've given away several items in our Buy Nothing group. This morning, I went through the drawers of my bedside table and got rid of a bunch of items (and listed one on Buy Nothing). I cleaned off my dresser a couple of days ago. I tidied up my computer desk, though that's always a problem area. Just overall I really see myself taking a more targeted approach to the clutter.

[ua_guy]

We had an epic decluttering sesh yesterday. Filled the whole back of a large SUV full of donated/recyclable clothing, e-waste/recycling, and household goods we just no longer want or need. Next up is to rent a pickup truck to dispose of larger items. I have some metal scrap recycling I need to do, as well as get rid of some old furniture, totally worn out desk chair, etc. Feels good!

[james.hendrickson]

Same - I listed like three or four things on Facebook marketplace. I like have less stuff in my place, and more money in my bank account.

[disneysteve]

I did a short session in the garage yesterday. At this point, what remains in there is stuff I really need to go through item by item. I went through two cartons of stuff yesterday. When I was done, I had condensed what I wanted to keep into one carton (the smaller of the two boxes). The rest either got put in a box for Goodwill, a box for ebay, or trashed.

My plan going forward will be to keep doing the same sort of thing. Go through one or two boxes at a time and try to weed out the stuff we don't want/need and reduce the overall number of boxes in there.