Every week day in May, I’m challenging my readers to try to find at least 7 things to get rid of. These can be big or small things, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you actually throw them out, sell them, donate them, recycle them, or find someone else who can use them. Think you’re up for the challenge?
I’m flying to Pennsylvania today to speak in Harrisburg, so I worked ahead on the challenge. 🙂
Today’s things I got rid of:
- 4 books
- 2 plates
- 1 loan little candle — I have no idea where this came from!
- 1 placemat
- 1 tub of half-used cappuccino mix purchased for an event we hosted. I was shocked to discover this expired in 2011 — yikes! I can’t believe it was sitting on my pantry shelf for that long!
How did your clutter-busting go today? Link up your blog post and/or Instagram pictures below. Or, leave a comment telling us how many things you got rid of. Let’s clear our homes of clutter so we can be more productive and efficient!
Money Saving Enthusiast says
Once the other challenge ended I got off track. I’m happy to declutter. HOORAY! It’s perfect timing because I have to officially swap my kids clothes out. I’ve been meaning to do that.
Cleaning every day is VITAL!
I’m also looking to actively take care of my home.
Andrea @the Distracted Housewife.com says
Sometimes I wonder how clutter can be so obvious yet I don’t see it.
Melissa says
Just four items designated to go yesterday- a magazine, 2 Christmas ornaments and a rather large magnet. But we did dump off a large box at Goodwill of things that were previously designated to be donated.
Carrie says
*Junk drawer – 20+ items
*Plastic containers drawer – 4 lids (for some reason the containers disappear. I’m guessing they are in the woods filled with creatures!)
*Files – bags of papers
*4 pillow pets – donation box
*necklace – donation box
*3 cookbooks
I’m really hoping to do a lot this weekend.
Marie says
okay, so I really need to know what is a normal amount of pj’s to have for a 6 year old?
Carrie says
I would say 3 pairs of pajamas is more than enough.
Bethany says
It depends on the kid and how often you do laundry. My 7 year old has close to 10 and sometimes we’re scrounging to find clean ones.
Erica Lynn @ Optimal Health Consultant says
I feel really good after everything I got rid of today. I found a lot of items I have been holding on to hoping to reuse them but I haven’t found a need. So they all went out today. 🙂
Linda says
Love the Clutter Busting Posts! I did some spring cleaning today. (Is that a thing of the past?) Cleaned the soffits above my kitchen cabinets & will start cleaning the cabinets tomorrow. My husband logged a big bin of clothes to be donated & I cleaned out my coupon binder. Does that count as clutter busting?
Carol@simple_catholic says
I hope you have a wonderful trip, Crystal.
I didn’t do any decluttering yesterday, but today was a HUGE decluttering day. 🙂 I don’t have a craft room so I use a “craft dresser.” I spent some time cleaning it out today and got rid of a TON of stuff. I also managed to find a little bit of money ($2), a roll of forever stamps and my inlaws’ DVD remote! (How that stuff got in my craft stuff I will never know!)
cheranne says
Today I cleaned out my 5 year old son’s desk. This yielded quite a haul for the trash bucket…included today are: a dried out highlighter, 3 fully used coloring books, 2 used activity books, the birth certificate to a build a bear, a party horn, Easter Bunny Pez dispenser, directions to a toy we don’t own anymore, and a toy that was missing most of the parts. In addition to the desk cleanout, I got rid of 2 skirts, a few expired coupons, and 2 tote bags.
I did not post yesterday, but my major accomplishment was the fact that the shower doors we removed off our tub 5 months ago finally made it to the curb for pickup with the trash!
FMR says
Trying to keep up with 7 things a day is not as difficult as I thought it would be!
computer tower-freecycle
computer keyboard-freecycle
3 kitchen towels and 2 pot holders-donation
I know there is more stuff to get rid of lurking in this house!
Crystal says
Yay! I’m so glad that you’re finding it’s not as hard as you thought it would be!
Cambria says
Posted 6 new things for sale, and reposted 1 thing posted last week:
Black Suit Jacket
3 Cloth diaper covers
Ink Cartridge for a printer that broke
White Noise maker.
Yay!
Sarah says
I probably would’ve used that cappuccino mix, although if it has sugar in it, good for you for throwing it out!
I’ve been purging for months, since a major water intrusion/home damage issue. Today was trash day and a bunch of stuff went. I just put our broken pressure washer at the street awhile ago. Someone will take it.
Something I discovered yesterday is that the day before trash day, people drive around looking for stuff to pick up. I had two stop by our junk yesterday, looking for metal to recycle. Fortunately, we had some for them. 🙂 I like to donate things when I can, but I just can’t now, so anything there is to get rid of, I set by the street, and someone takes it.
Lydia says
Love how much stuff you are purging…I need to join you!
Maybe I’m strange, but I often use outdated food. That cappuccino mix? It most likely was still fine. Companies put dates on things as a precaution, not because they are harmful.
Sarah says
I just saw your comment, Lydia. I said the same thing!
Bethany says
It’s not strange to use outdated food! Other than dairy, produce, and meat most food doesn’t go bad. Americans waste A LOT of food!
Susan says
I’ve been purging by specific areas everyday: 27 pairs of outgrown kids shoes, then 28 tween books, then 25 pairs of sports shorts and 6 t-shirts, on Saturday we hit the jackpot: 16 hefty bags of recycled bottles and cans (we made $29 by recycling them.) I just keep going when I’m in an area I’m purging. I don’t stop at 7.
Anna says
Yeah, I throw away 7 things throughout the course of any given day. If I’m on a de-clutter mission, I throw away bags and bags of junk!
Shelly says
I found a bag yesterday with a receipt from 2009 in it. I had been hanging onto that bag for 4 years. I couldn’t believe it.
Crystal says
Wow! That’s pretty crazy!
Anna (Frugal For You) says
I have more than 1 lone candle to get rid of! Will do that tomorrow. Have a great trip at the Homeschool Convention. Met you last year in Richmond VA. You are such a blessing!
Crystal says
You are so sweet! Thank you for your kind encouragement!
Julie H says
Today I tossed:
1 magazine
1 catalog
1 manila envelope full of junk
1 broken kid’s light saber
1 ball
2 placemats
1 headband
1 picture frame
1 Valentine toy
Plus old food in the freezer!
Crystal says
Woohoo! Great job!
Melissa says
Just curious what you do with all of the things you’re getting rid of.
Crystal says
They are mostly going to Goodwill, though the books will be traded in on Amazon. 🙂
Anna says
Today I got rid of about 10 cans of food that were soon to expire. Bonus: the mail sponsored food drive pick up is tomorrow, so hopefully someone will get to eat those green beans and potatoes before that expiration date!
Jessica says
THANK YOU for heading this up, it’s awesome and I’m doing a great job weeding things out 🙂
Donna B says
Not sure how many items I am up to today…….trying to clean up my room……reward for that will be repainting to match the new comforter set we got 3 months ago!!!!
Jessica says
May 9:
t-shirt with a hole in it (trash- I have enough rags)
bottle of open expired children’s Tylenol (trash)
Donate:
2 baby sleepers
2 pairs baby pants
2 onesies
longsleeved baby shirt
long sleeved boy’s shirt
boy’s t-shirt
New 150-pack embroidery thread (I’ve had this sitting around for 3 years)
Marie says
I’m continuing my kid’s clothes purge. Really does a two year old need 20 dresses!! I assure you I did not buy them all! We seem to have an over abundance of pj’s too. What is a “normal” amount of pj’s for a kid if you do laundry once a week?
Susan says
7
Kim M says
mine each have about 5 sets of actual pjs, but I buy them the 3-piece sets that come with the shirt, pants and shorts, that way they can wear them any season. Most of the time they go in right at bedtime, then we get dressed as soon as they get up so unless the baby leaks thru her diaper, they’re still in ok shape to re-wear the next night. Extends the life of the pjs and saves on constant laundry.
Anitra says
My kids have about 4 sets of (weather-appropriate) PJs each. I figure each set will get worn twice before being thrown in the laundry, on average. When we get over 5 sets in the drawer, I know that it’s time to get rid of some – either they are the wrong season and need to be put away, or there are some that are being outgrown or otherwise not preferred.
Jennifer says
My attack on my makeup cabinet continued this morning. I threw away three empty lipstick boxes, a couple of half-used perfume samples, a couple of random lids for who knows what and wadded up tissues. Donating to my favorite thrift store, which supports a food pantry, a purse I bought and have never used.
Day nine and I’m still really loving this challenge! I feel so much lighter and in control.
Sarah says
**1 lone little candle
Jen says
I was about to say that! 🙂
Jessica says
LOL! I was wondering why anyone would need a candle on loan! 😉 (You know we all love you, Crystal!)