Comments on: Spring Cleaning (aka Mom vs. Clutter)

By: Enid Awad

Enid Awad — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:50:49 +0000

Art Work solution- A TV program suggested that you take photos of your child’s art work and then you can print them up in a book form. Target, shutterfly etc. all make photo books. You can have all your child’s art work at your finger tips without the clutter.

By: Trish - Minnesota

Trish - Minnesota — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:57:55 +0000

I’m glad to hear that so many of us are in the same boat….too bad we are sinking in our clutter! I’ve been decluttering for years and it seems to continue to accumulate. One book that always comes back to me is Clear your Clutter with Fen Shui by Karen Kingston. It’s very motivating to read about how draining clutter is to our energy and how fresh and clear we feel when we don’t have so much stuff around.
Good Luck…I know I need it.

By: Greenseeds

Greenseeds — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 13:30:46 +0000

We, too, had been overrun by stuffed animals. And my sons enjoyed them. But in a quest to live more simply and teach them about moderation, we began asking them to pick out their favorites of the larger ones (5). Then we have a wicker basket that we asked the kids to fill with their favorite beanie babies. The rest we donated to a local grief counseling agency that gives children a stuffed animal when they come for services. You might have a non profit agency or hospital that would be happy to receive them. My kids loved being able to help other kids out!

By: Stacy

Stacy — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:58:32 +0000

I found that the “Flylady” has excellent advice regarding cleaning and clutter. Of course, it was a Chinaberry recommendation! I love the part about shining your kitchen sink…it really works!

By: Vicki K.

Vicki K. — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 01:28:25 +0000

I have been a “collector” and a “keeper” from childhood on.
I now solve the problem of too much stuff by moving every few years. (I don’t move because of the clutter–I just seem to move on.) As someone else mentioned, moving is such a great way of clearing the clutter. I really like the idea of having the thought, “Now, if I was moving, would I really want to pack, unpack, and find storage space for this?”

Also, at one point, I wrote myself a sticky note that said, “WHY AM I HANGING ON TO THIS?” It helped me think about the stuff in my junk drawers and storage boxes and make it easier to toss.

By: Jill

Jill — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 22:45:41 +0000

When I was 5 mos pregnant with my third I “organized” the attic. It wasn’t cleaned out, but I knew what was where plus I threw out a bunch of junk. When I was bigger & couldn’t get up the stairs, Hubby “helped” clean the rest of the house by shoving stuff in the attic. Baby just turned two and I still haven’t won back the attic.

We have loads of stuffed animals, but to my 8 YO son they are real friends, every last one of them. I can’t complain when he actually uses them individually and often, but they do take up lots of space. And I have no idea what we’ll do when he outgrows them.

When I have the energy, I deal with every piece of paper as it comes into the house. I used to “save” things to show Hubby, but now that he’s a full-time student he doesn’t have time or reading energy. I open, read, pay, file or recycle asap and it really helps. The “broken window” theory of urban blight works in the kitchen, too. One broken window will lead to a slum; one stack of papers to be dealt with will multiply in the night.
Thanks for the blog.

By: Louise in WA

Louise in WA — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:28:39 +0000

Does anyone have a recommendation of good books on the subject of de-cluttering? I have read a few, but none have been all I’d hoped for. For example, I’m wanting some sound advice about the paper stuff that accumulates in all our homes on a daily basis. You know the type of of clutter: it swallows all your available counter space while waiting to be dealt with or ends up in a pile until filed. I find this stuff suffocating. (And think of the TREES that produced it all!) I’d like definitive answers that tell me what, for records purposes, really needs to be saved & what can GO into the recycle? Suggestions, anyone?

By: Ann

Ann — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:42:41 +0000

Perhaps because we have moved several times and lived in rather small homes clearing our space has become a practice. Every few months, I sort through our children’s clothing and recycle or consign what they have outgrown. The same is true for toys, art supplies and books. We display their artwork for a period of time, save only a few cherished places and take the rest to the recycling center or pass it along to others who will enjoy the items. The sorting process is not limited to the children–the same applies to the adults’ possessions as well! I feel it is a fine lesson for all of us. Ask yourself, if I moved would I really want to pack and unpack this item? It may help your sorting process.

By: Alyson

Alyson — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 10:55:51 +0000

I do have the same clutter problem. It is refreshing to have someone else help, point out the obvious and then help and hold you accountable. I need that kind of push. I have too much stuff but we are very challenged with no attic and our garage is useless as it gets too hot here (nothing can be stored in it mildews, humid, melts, etc).
I actually am looking forward to selling our home and down-sizing. Thanks for the idea to laminate artwork and use as placemats. Great idea!

Alyzabeth’s Mommy for almost SIX Months!

By: Forest

Forest — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 09:28:10 +0000

Amazing! or not depending on how you look at it. I was just pondering going through the entire mansion…OK tiny Cottage. But when you’re cleaning it feels that big…To get rid of or pack away all the stuff accumulated. And BAM! I check my mail and here is a whole blog on it. This must be telling me something…Or maybe its the Tangerine Marmalade I made wanting me to eat it on an English muffin?
I guess its off to the Store to get some Trash Bags and Plastic bins…Hummm…maybe I will go to the Super Target to get a Orange Mocha Nonfat with whip…this will help me face the task ahead. This would go good with the English muffin…its got the whole citrus thing going! OK, I think I’m hungry.