TOP TIPS for DECLUTTERING A BOY HOUSEHOLD
As part of the "Mothers Of Boys Series" 21 Tips for DECLUTTERING A BOY HOUSEHOLD as (sometimes) practiced by our very own Sophia
First day back after a holiday I feel conflicted – the sense of relief, space and quiet spliced with a feeling of bereft. And then I look at the mess, and a whole host of less poetic emotions flood through.
So post declutter (almost), here are my tips for decluttering a boy household:
- Tuck little notes, impossibly sweet drawings into cook books to rediscover weeks/months/years later.
- With that distance it will be easier to decide whether to keep them or re-cycle…
- And don’t be afraid to throw away “art work” – give it the necessary shelf life and then quietly slip them away.
- NEVER try to create a system for Lego (no matter how easy Pinterest make it look). After the initial euphoria at what you may have achieved, watching the chaos return will break you.
- TEDDY BEARS. Cute. Yes. Cuddly. Yes. Sentimental. Most definitely – functional NOPE. Cluttering YUP. Time to let them go…? Probably…
- Plastic animals. From bedroom (age 3-5), to bathroom (age 6 to 8), to bin (forever).
- Craft activities that are still untouched?
- Think about how much money you can make from local FB groups/ebay/gumtree for pre-loved clothing and toys….
- And profit share with the little people - incentive their decluttering enhusiasm
- Always have an old bag for life in the bottom of a cupboard for charity shop contributions
- When you see something too small/too young/just not popular add it to the bag
- When the bag is full, take it to the charity shop
- NEVER look in the bag again and risk sentiment
- NEVER EVER let them look in the bag
And then into their drawers (or just off the floor)
- Holey trousers = chop for cut offs
- Holey sweaters = bin
- Clothes they one child hasn’t worn EVER
- Will it fit/suit next child? Yes = keep No = b
- Has it got a resale value? Yes = sell No =c
- Has it got charity shop value Yes = put it in the bag No = d
- BIN
- Swimming costumes / elasticated waists don’t last forever – pass them on while they are still good
- Same goes for shoes
- Waterproofs that aren’t waterproof won’t ever be. This includes seams. Bin it.
- And finally, Buying big doesn't always work. Just means clothes hang around. I have jeans my Mum bought me which I still haven't grown into...
Have you got any de-cluttering tips to share? We'd love to hear them.
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Tracey at mummyshire
June 09, 2016
It’s so true, sometimes the old clothes and over flowing cupboards just seems too big a mountain to climb! I often feel like that at birthdays – new toys but no new space.
Like your tip about a bag for life always being close by. Any completely agree that sentiment can too easily get in the way!
Enjoyed this read!