How’s the decluttering going at your house? We’re making good headway here!
Today’s assignment is a bigger one–at least for me! Take a few days to finish it, if you need to:
Clear Out the Clutter Assignment #2
::Go through your kitchen cupboards, pantry, under the sink, stockpile shelves and any other closets or cupboards which reside in your kitchen and then ruthlessly clear out any and all clutter and unnecessary items you find. Consider passing on extra food and household items to friends or donate these to someone in need.
::Tally up the approximate amount of items you’re getting rid of and input it into the Items Decluttered Tally Form in order to be entered to win some fun prizes!
I’ll post my pictures and accomplishments later on today–once I finish this fairly mammoth task! Looks like I have my work cut out for me:
Are you blogging about your Clear Out the Clutter accomplishments and progress? If so, leave your direct link to your blog post below (with pictures, if possible!) so we can visit your blog, cheer you on and be inspired!
Misty says
We got a new fridge, so that helped me hurry up in getting my kitchen clean! We are working on clearing out our pantry with our meals this week!
Alyson @ Family Style School says
I am just jumping on board. What am I in for? YIKES!
Deanna says
Thanks for the challenge. I have been thinking the linen closet and coat closet was really needing a good going over. I was cringing over the kitchen though. I will be posting my kitchen progress soon. Definitely a challenge!
Naomi says
My husband and I actually cleaned out most of the kitchen cabinets a week ago and what I do not use or need is in the garage for the block sale in June. I have not organized the cabinets that hold our food and I am going to do that today. I have cans and boxes stuffed here and there and I do not even know what is on the shelves.
Sara B. says
I’m gearing up for a garage sale the first weekend in June and I never would have thought I had so much in my kitchen to get rid of, let alone just one drawer!! Last night while making dinner, I thought ‘I have to stand here, why don’t I get one drawer done.’ I pulled at least 40 items out of that drawer that I don’t need!!! I discovered 4 vegetable peelers and 3 cheese slicers that I didn’t even know we had!
I am so glad you made me think to look through my kitchen! Thanks!!
: )
Kara says
I have been working on decluttering the house for some time. My front porch is completely full of stuff that I have been posting to craigslist as I find it or we are having a garage sale in two weeks. It has been so awesome to read what you are doing to keep me moving!!
Alex & Cassie - The Thrifty Couple says
Crystal,
Thank you again for encouraging us all to “declutter” and simplify our lives! Our Kitchen pantry is done and we actually ended up throwing out about 20 lbs of old holiday candy that we were apparently “hiding!” Anyway, looking forward to coat closet next! Moving a bit backwards 😉
Cassie and Alex
The Thrifty Couple
Jenn K says
We moved in 6 months ago and let me tell you after tackling the cupboards I moved all the appliances and I was shocked at what was hiding under there in just that short time
YUCK
WilliamB says
Would you believe me if I said there was no clutter in my kitchen?
I would like to say it’s because the kitchen is my favorite place, and that I do an amazing job of keeping it organized, and that there’s no food here I don’t want – no, not even the 100 lbs of rice. And all of this is mostly true. But it’s only 100% true because I did a thorough kitchen review over the winter.
It started when I realized that, since I plan never to move again, that if my wok doesn’t fit the stove it will never fit the stove. Hard on the heels of that I realized since I’ve lived here a number of years it’s time to see if I guessed right about where everything should be. I cleared out 4-5 knee-high boxes of kitchen stuff by giving it to friends and family, and inventoried the remaining two boxes of spares – spares won’t do me any good if I don’t remember that I have them.
Can I submit those 4-5 boxes for the contest?
Erin says
Crystal, I look at your blog occasionally and decided to do a little decluttering in the kitchen today. Well, what should I find under the kitchen sink but a little leak and quite a bit of mold! Thankfully I got it cleaned up and the plumber visited before it was worse. Just wanted to say thanks for the reminder…
Joy says
I decluttered our kitchen area today.
I am adding four items to my “Box to Give Away”.
I added a spice rack, two pizza cutters, and an egg slicer to my “Box to Give Away”.
My husband and I just got married in October 2009 and live in a very small house. I have been keeping up with decluttering on a regular basis, yet, I wanted to join in with your Clutter Challenge as there is never a time soon enough to get rid of clutter that always piles up regardless of how often I declutter.
becca says
that was not my favorite! 🙂
Kristy says
I just did this today. Last night I had to run to the store to buy baking powder and guess what I found in my cupboards when I cleared them out… 2 FULL cans of baking powder… ugh!
Katherine says
We just did this yesterday! We took a bunch of grocery items and shampoo and such to the Seminary down the road for the pastoral students. It’s the second time we’ve brought them a box of stuff this semester, and apparently we’re the only ones who have donated anything this year. How sad. I hope many more people take your advice and donate things to a good cause.
Ashley Bullock says
We are having a yard sale at church to raise money for our summer mission trips! It’s a GREAT reason to clean house! 🙂
Kimberly says
Thank you so much for this challenge. It is always a challenge to get motivated to do things especially kitchens !
Kimberly says
Thank you so much for this challenge. It is nice to see your not alone with clutter!
michelle bank says
So excited to start this challenge with my readers. We began it yesterday, I went home last night to take pictures of my mess to find out I left my camera at my sisters on Easter! UGGG! Thanks for this awesome idea and the opportunity to share!
Andrea says
Ugh. That it is all.
I have some plastic tupperware cups to get rid of…those things have been irritating me for years. I know I’ve got plenty to declutter…and making a trip to our local charity this weekend will really help. I don’t even bother with rummage sales – our subdivision doesn’t allow advertising from what I understand, so I never got anyone the last time I tried to have one. I’d rather just donate what we can’t and don’t use.
Lucky says
I need to clean out my shampoo & soap stockpile before the summer sales start again. Thanks for the motivation!
Tara says
Yeah, needed motivation in the kitchen for sure!!!
nanasewn says
The only advantage to a tiny kitchen. Only 5 small cupboards to clean
boo hoo!
Kristine says
Ugh! Don’t make me go there! The kitchen…yes…the kitchen cabinets…no! Hehehe…okay, I’ll give in! I have to stand on a step stool and reach around into the dark unknown for things as it is. Maybe I’ll get things moved towards the front.
Heather says
My sister in law is coming in town from DC tonight so this coincides nicely with my major spring clean anyway. Thanks for the extra motivation and blogging topic. 🙂
Hope says
Just yesterday I dropped 2 large bags off to our local food pantry….it’s so nice to clear out clutter & give back to my community! I love the idea of blessing someone else with things that we are not using or will eat….does a heart good!
Tiffany (As For My House) says
@Hope,
This is so cool, Hope!
I struggle with stewardship issues when I try to declutter – am I “wasting” things? Will I be wasting money to replace them?
But giving things to a good cause is… well… just GOOD! 🙂
Heather says
It just so happens that this coincides with my sister in law coming in town from DC so it’s nice extra motivation to clean obviously! Thanks for hosting, Michelle!
Heather @ http://www.savingmoneylivinglife.com
Laura says
Okay! I thought my hall closet was just fine. I had, afterall, just cleaned it out not long ago. Boy, was I wrong! Just to get to the door I had to put my slippers away and then box up the Easter wreath. I knew then I had some work to do! Thanks for these challenges!
Chris says
I completed our pantry last week and worked on one other cupboard earlier this week. Needless to say, I still have a ways to go! It will take a few days, but ohhhhh so worth it!!
Jessica @ Boy Terrain says
I don’t know why but decluttering the kitchen is the HARDEST of places to declutter.
I think maybe it’s because most items in the kitchen have a use and even if I don’t use the item often it’s hard to get rid of “just in case.”
Or maybe because a lot of the gifts I got at showers and my wedding were kitchen items and I have an emotional connection and associate a person with each item.
Or maybe it’s because I have a lot of family items – my great grandma’s silver, a collection of tea cups from various older women in my life and I can’t part with the family heirlooms and yet they take up space and aren’t being put to (frequent) use.
Regardless- decluttering the kitchen is always HARD for me!!
Ashley Bullock says
@Jessica @ Boy Terrain, Jessica, consider decorating with the heirloom pieces…a curio cabinet or high shelf on one wall is a great place to display your tea cups.
I know those emotional attachments are hard, but is it really honoring that person to hold on to it if it only sits in a dark cabinet? Just a thought.
Jessica @ Boy Terrain says
@Ashley Bullock,
They definitely get used – I pull them out for special teas and dinners and they’re used at least weekly.
They just aren’t the most practical things to own. I love them dearly, and won’t ever part with them, but because they are there and unnecessary items they promote clutter of other unnecessary items 🙂
Rebecca Burgener says
Hi Crystal,
I’m not sure if my Clutterbug Confessions quite fit in with your decluttering challenge, but I linked up.
You are an inspiration! I am trying to change my whole way of thinking and doing things as a SAHM that wants to be a WAHM, and your site is enormously helpful.
Thanks for all you do.
Rebecca
Cherity says
OH NO! The kitchen…I’ve been avoiding this for months. Guess I can’t avoid it anymore. Thanks again for the motivation! It’s actually a little more fun when others are doing it too. Here goes nothing…
Ann B says
I cleared out a few of my kitchen cabinets a few weeks ago, but I definately didn’t hit all of the cabinets. Hopefully, I will be able to finish this today!
When I get to the basement and toy area, that’s when I’m going to be in trouble!
charlene says
ugh! i have put off cleaning out my kitchen for a month. I guess I should get started.
Becky says
It is so nice to have something to keep me on track. I have gotten quite a bit done already. It will be great once everything is done!
sara says
I love that someone else is going through this spring cleaning/garage sale stock pile struggle with me. Thanks for the helpful hints!
Rebekah says
Oh my! I was dreading this one! It will def. take me a few days, but I will be oh so happy afterwards! 🙂 Thank you so much for the motivation!!
Melissa S. says
Eeeks!!!! NOT THE DREADED KITCHEN!!! At least the weekend is coming up so my husband can help me 🙂