| mrs_riffty |
| (member) |
| 17/12/2008 12:43 |
Where do I start!
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Ladies,
Where on earth do I start to de-clutter. I usually start with drawers and cupboards as then I have somewhere to put other stuff away, however my OH doesn,t agree and says that he can,t understand my logic, in the end I only half heartedly tackle the problem and soon I,m back to square one. I live in a household of four men, six males if counting dogs, so I dont seem to get a lot of help unless I direct precise instructions, I,m desperate to get my christmas tree up and decorated but want a reasonably organised home first
| Jenniferpl |
| (member) |
| 17/12/2008 13:06 |
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Re: Where do I start!
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I'd do one room at a time and start with something that will make an immidiate impact, with me it was the huge bookcase of DVD's I went through them and took out all the ones I thought we would never watch again and sent them off to other members of the family, carity and the bin as appropriate. Dont make the mistake of asking OH if there are any that he wants to keep thoough, you'll find that the pile you want to get rid of isn't quite as large as you would like. While all the things are off the book case give it a clean and pull it out and hoover behind it. Then move on to the next cupboard or drawer, again, just do one at a time otherwise it will be to daunting! Don't let the OH put you off, ban him from the room, put your fave music on, poor a glass of wine and get to it! Good luck
| JustJulesy |
| (member) |
| 17/12/2008 13:09 |
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Re: Where do I start!
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I'd pm Mrs Twiddle if I were you!!!! Or visit her helpful blog.
| mrs_riffty |
| (member) |
| 17/12/2008 13:11 |
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Re: Where do I start!
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Thankyou Jennifer,
I think I will do that, maybe the lounge first then I will have somewhere tidy to retreat to when I want to have a break.
| Jenniferpl |
| (member) |
| 17/12/2008 13:15 |
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Re: Where do I start!
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Hi Mrs Rifty
Sounds like a good plan! just think how great your tree will look when you put it up in a nice tidy room.
J
| issi |
| (member) |
| 17/12/2008 13:57 |
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Re: Where do I start!
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If I tried to do cupboards and drawers out now it would take me until the New Year. My method would be to tidy a room at a time, taking out anything that doesn't belong there. Do the lounge first, put up the tree, and then you will feel better. The rest won't seem so urgent.
| annemari |
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| 17/12/2008 16:16 |
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Re: Where do I start!
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Hi Mrs Rifty, In the past when I've a task such as yours,the first thing I do is to ask a friend if she would help,it great fun that way and doesn't seem such a chore.
Then between us we would empty the room of everything that appears to be causing the clutter,sort it out into piles of RETURN to room,KEEP and put away,then finally DITCH.
With a cup of tea or coffee each,we would set to and soon the job was done.
I think it was having the company and the 'two heads are better one' approach that helped.
| Twiddledout |
| (member) |
| 17/12/2008 18:48 |
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Re: Where do I start!
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Great answers!
I would also add that you need to know what the room is used for and remove anything that doesn't apply!
Also, we all need a junk drawer, just not one in every room.
To start with, put like with like and build from there. I'd start in the lounge, start at the door, work your way around clockwise with a laundry basket or large box. If it doesn't live in the lounge, you having already decided what the lounge is used for, then it goes in the basket/box.
Now sort the basket/box.
Charity shop
Rubbish bin
Other room in the house
There are no half-measures doing it this way so be warned
It's very thorough!
| Thimble |
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| 17/12/2008 19:58 |
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Re: Where do I start!
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Mrs T you are so organised and have such great ideas. By the way did you enjoy your week-end?
I am looking forward to seeing more of your twiddles for us in the new year and I shall be following them.
I have decided one idea of my own for my men. When I come to do the hoovering if there is anything on the floor that doesn't belong there they have 15 mins to remove it then if it is still there it will be put in the bin!!!!!!!
One item from the 2009 programme.............
| ChrissiFi |
| (member) |
| 18/12/2008 09:34 |
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Re: Where do I start!
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Are there less hours in the day in December? I've got a mass of things to do and by the time I get home from work and cook dinner it seems that the whole evening's gone. Luckily OH is working Saturday morning so will try to fit as much housework as possible in then (in between cooking mince pies, putting the marzipan on the cake etc).
I would ask OH to help tidy things away but he's got a tendancy to bin anything that he himself doesn't actually need so not a safe option. Will get him on bathroom cleaning and hoovering I think - much safer.