de-cluttering a house

[doodlebug 3]

Does anyone have any good websites on how to de-clutter a house?

I'm thinking if my husband gets here by the end of the summer, God willing, I have some big tasks in front of me getting this house of mine in order. It's just been me and the kiddos for a good 9 years so I have a LOT of junk that I've just not been able to let go of and I really need to make room for his stuff!!!!!

I looked in each room last night and almost bawled my eyes out since it just seems so overwhelming. We're talking things under everyone's bed, closets that you just don't wanna open for fear it will all come out at ya, etc.

[almaty 19]

i used the burn and move tactic ....stolen from the Indians of the rain forest

[MissStacey 1]

What about having a Garage sale?

Or box up all the toys, clothes,etc that you no longer need and call the Salvation Army.

Focus on one room at a time so you don't feel too overwhelmed. The kids can be responsible for going through the stuff they are willing to get rid of.

Edited June 8, 2007 by Stacey33

[Cassie 8]

I humbly and strongly recommend this method, it has worked wonders for me!

http://www.flylady.net/pages/FLYingLessons_Declutter.asp

This particular website advocates doing things in babysteps, because people like you and I can easily get overwhelmed with the enormity of the situation and give up before even getting started. You can do it!!!

[Nessa 23]

cool website

[doodlebug 3]

I humbly and strongly recommend this method, it has worked wonders for me!

http://www.flylady.net/pages/FLYingLessons_Declutter.asp

This particular website advocates doing things in babysteps, because people like you and I can easily get overwhelmed with the enormity of the situation and give up before even getting started. You can do it!!!

1. Sing this song: "Please release me, let me go" as sung from the stuff's point of view. It needs to be loved by someone and if you don't love it - GET RID OF IT!

   
   

wow that site has some great suggestions!!!!!

I think the one thing that makes me hesitant all the time is the thought that as soon as the truck hauls whatever it is away, I'll suddenly have to use whatever it was that I got rid of and I'll end up having to buy a new one.

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

My rule of thumb if it hasn't been seen or used in a year it goes out with the trash or to a goodwill.

[homesick_american 1]

My rule of thumb if it hasn't been seen or used in a year it goes out with the trash or to a goodwill.

That's pretty much mine too. We've already donated about half our personal possessions to charity.

[Aymerlu 3]

I'm in a de-cluttering mode right now too. We move in about a month and I refuse to take a lot of this stuff with me. We will get getting a few new pieces of furniture like a kitchen table, entertainment center and a new bed for my daughter. Everything we don't want such as clothes and such are going to good will. My parents have a couple at their church that are in need of items so whatever they need/want that we are getting rid of is theirs. I don't like to just throw away things. I want someone else to get some use out of it too.

[homesick_american 1]

I'm in a de-cluttering mode right now too. We move in about a month and I refuse to take a lot of this stuff with me. We will get getting a few new pieces of furniture like a kitchen table, entertainment center and a new bed for my daughter. Everything we don't want such as clothes and such are going to good will. My parents have a couple at their church that are in need of items so whatever they need/want that we are getting rid of is theirs. I don't like to just throw away things. I want someone else to get some use out of it too.

We're lucky; the people buying our house want all our furniture, and we don't want to take it with us! Works out perfect for both sides. :thumbs: :thumbs:

[Jackie&Yosdani 0]

I've seen a show about, organizing on HDTV..

I think its called somthing like in a clutter..

[doodlebug 3]

Ok I'm starting tomorrow with that website.

The hardest part for me is lugging everything up and downstairs. I have a TON of old clothes that are just moldy and ruined down cellar from a flood we had a year ago and they're gonna be a bear to bag and bring upstairs to put outdoors. That's why they've been sitting down there for so long. My back is gonna take a beatin' when I do this.

[Emancipation 2]

Ok I'm starting tomorrow with that website.

The hardest part for me is lugging everything up and downstairs. I have a TON of old clothes that are just moldy and ruined down cellar from a flood we had a year ago and they're gonna be a bear to bag and bring upstairs to put outdoors. That's why they've been sitting down there for so long. My back is gonna take a beatin' when I do this.

Any teens around in your street who would do some lifting for a 20$?

[m&n 0]

Yeah....I think it's called Mission Organization.

It's a great show.

I've seen a show about, organizing on HDTV..

I think its called somthing like in a clutter..

[Cassie 8]

Ok I'm starting tomorrow with that website.

The hardest part for me is lugging everything up and downstairs. I have a TON of old clothes that are just moldy and ruined down cellar from a flood we had a year ago and they're gonna be a bear to bag and bring upstairs to put outdoors. That's why they've been sitting down there for so long. My back is gonna take a beatin' when I do this.

Any teens around in your street who would do some lifting for a 20$?

great idea!

Just do it in chunks, you said you've got a couple of months to do this right? So that's about 8 weeks or so? So break it down into one room per week, or divide the number of days until your hubby gets there by the amount of rooms you want to tackle, and then spend that amount of time in each room. if it doesn't take all the time to finish one room, just move on to the next room -- any remaining extra days will give you some time to relax and get those special touches ready for when he finally gets there.