Pre Xmas De-cluttering Pledge support requested

I've found an odd, unwanted, suitcase so have packed OH's reject clothes in that and will be off to charity shop tomorrow.
Also found a bath towel I don't need so I will be offering that to anyone with a dog who needs bathing!

Yesterday I got a bag through my door from BHF, and they are coming to collect it next Tuesday so now I can get rid of a few larger items and loads more books. My neighbour has given me her bag too, so I have already filled it with some scarfs. a set of cut glass glasses. A tablecloth and some old aprons I kept that were my Mum's, mostly I think because I could picture her in them. I can still do this without the need for keeping the aprons. A few ornaments and some very old Tupper Ware. I have found three large blankets I shall give them when they come and a toaster too. I have also thrown away a sheet that was getting thin too

I must admit as I now have room in my cupboard I did buy a new lasagne dish.

I still have so much paperwork still to go through which I shall do when we have a wet day. I shall bring a down a large box and sift through it while watching a Xmas movie and shred at same time.

Necklaces & scarves: good idea; it's odd how dated they can look. I'm going to have a purge on mine. And how about duplicated items of clothing: how many white linen shirts does anyone need? Especially when you hate ironing. Likewise duvet covers: I tend to wash, dry and put back the same day - so why do I need so many in the linen cupboard? Charity shop here I come.

It was more rearranging than actual purging today. It felt good though and I have turned a reception room into a bedroom for my 2 French Helpers who arrived a couple of hours ago. They seemed pleased.

I should have been a set/stage designer. I love scenery changes. I've even hung sheets at the windows in lieu of curtains.
I am glad I haven't thrown out all the duvet covers but while searching for bed linen I came across drawers full of old curtains, dressing up clothes, a stash of dressmaking fabric. Will they ever be needed again. I doubt it.
It is hard to part from these old friends isn't it.

It's recycle collection day tomorrow so doubly satisfying as I have ditched masses of old programmes/tourist info/bus timetables and the like.

I've had a clear out in my wardrobe today. 7 shirts and sweatshirts to go on ebay tonight and 2 brand new children's games for my charity shop box. 1 box full was taken last week.

newnanny
I only just found this thread.
I can't promise to throw out something each day but will try to send some things to the charity shop, throw some out and use some others.
Does adapting some clothes in the wardrobe which I haven't worn for ages count?

A nightlife with a little hole in it, but it did go into Dh's rag bag.
Some socks with a hole in one toe.
Lots of junk mail

I did throw a lot of bedding out about 2 months ago - can I count that?

Aurocoresct!!
Nightie

Where do old shoes go?
DH has piles of old shoes, some in not too bad condition. Do they go into a clothing bank? I wondered if any charity deal with them.

Grammaretto
All charity shops take shoes. The shop where I volunteer put the really bad ones in the rag bags.

We put aside a lot of men's shoes for a gentleman who comes in every couple of months. He sends them to friends and family in Iraq.

Just cleared out a cupboard of old next directories, dozens of out of date National Trust magazines, beautiful homes magazines, Lakeland, Oka, toys, Boden etc.
They have all gone into the recycling.

I tend not to keep magazines (i rarely buy any but we do get the NT ones, U3A etc) but DH keeps his of interest in magazine holders and has been persuaded to pass them on to a friend who is housebound.
Thank goodness

Thanks petra. I didn't know that. Some shoes are broken and completely worn out. Others are perfectly good but he doesn't wear them.
I will ask at Oxfam later.

Magazines for a housebound friend Callistermon what a good idea. My old magazines date from the 1990s. Anyway I have just recycled them so it's too late

A pair of blackout curtain linings and some costume jewelry are today's decluttering items.

Just a tip to aid the clearing out: there are some things that charity shops may not want but which are welcomed by night shelters and organisations that deal with rough sleepers: blankets, sleeping bags and other bedding, warm socks, gloves and vests, men's pyjamas and tracksuits, etc.

I never trust the charities that leave bags: they never come back for them around here.

I have 2 big carrier bags of books to go, tomorrow.

I keep holding some back, and I've still lots to sort.

I'm hoping i'll get fed up with it being such a big chore that i'll throw the lot.

We have a Salvation Army large recycle metal thing and they take shoes. My son often takes a pair across as he is always buying new ones and does not like to throw away ones with a lot of wear left. I am quite heavy on shoes so usually wear them out and throw away. I put out some old tee shirts today to go into charity bag. Sorting though old paper work again and found some old cards so out they went into recycling bin. Tomorrow I am having oven cleaning man in so going to go through baking tins then.

Charity bags got collected and they took a lot of books I had sorted out too. So no having to lug them to town.

Oh, you lucky thing!
All the way to the charity shops laden with bags, I tell myself I'm not doing this anymore. Been doing it for years!

Since I last posted I have put several more books in charity bag. A pile of old English Heritage, NAS and U3A magazines are going in recycling bag. I offered them to my doctors' surgery but they refused (germs I suppose).

Looking for a white pillowslip for granddaughter's trick and treat,I decided to turn out the linen cupboard and got rid of five pairs of curtains,and some juvenile duvet covers and pillowslips.

You helped me with shoes but what do you do with old curtains?
Greenfinch ?

I have 2 sets which are designer curtains from Heals bought by DM in 1960s. I'm not specially attached to them but should I try to find an appreciative home?

I didn't part with anything today.

Could you sell them on eBay?
You may or may not get much, but you'll know they're going to a good home.

Another bag of books gone to charity today.
I was going to throw away two postcards, bought on bleak days out in Brighton, at a not very happy time.

Grandson asked to keep them, then I was turning out a cupboard looking for something else, and found two quaint little wooden picture frames.

Ideal for the postcards to go into, and I'm excited to be able to put the frames to use, as I haven't as yet. (25p the two, from a charity shop)

Grammaretto Some of our charity shops sell curtains so mine will go there. They are not very special but they are in excellent condition being hardly used as they are floral and lightweight and we are gradually changing over to blinds.
Today I will round up old specs.I have at least three pairs and others in the family will have some too.I will take them to Boots,the Library or the Opticians.