30-Day Organize-athon | Day 27: Declutter By Donating A Dozen

30-Day Organize-athon 27

Welcome to the 30-Day Organize-athon!

In today’s 5 minutes we’re going to declutter by finding at least 12 things to give away.

Don’t worry – it’ll be easier than you think!

Day 27: Declutter By Donating A Dozen

Step 1: Grab a bag. Quickly fill the bag as you move through your home – and don’t stop until you have at least 12 items.

Throw into the bag anything that:

  • You don’t use
  • You don’t like
  • Has negative associations
  • Is no longer your style
  • Keeps you stuck in the past
  • Is more than you need to feel good about your space.

Ideas for Items To Donate

Living Room
  • Unloved rugs, throws and cushions
  • Unloved ornaments, gifts, vases, etc
  • Knickknacks that don’t enhance your space
  • Extra pieces of furniture
  • Unloved lamps
  • No-longer used entertainment devices – TVs, DVD players, stereos, etc
  • No-longer-played DVDs and CDs
Study
  • Excess stationery, notebooks, pens, etc
  • Knickknacks that provide no meaning, beauty or inspiration
  • Functioning phones, computers, cells, PDAs, etc that you don’t need
  • Supplies, storage containers and accoutrements relating to abandoned craft, knitting, scrapbooking, and other projects
  • Old lamps and equipment in good condition
Closet
  • Anything (clothes, footwear, coats, purses, accessories, etc) you’ve not worn in a year
  • Anything that doesn’t fit
  • Anything that’s not your style
  • Anything that’s unflattering on you
  • Anything that’s uncomfortable, scratchy or ill-fitting (it may be perfect on someone else)
  • Anything you bought ages ago that still has the label on it
  • Anything with negative memories or associations
Kitchen/Dining
  • Mismatched or unloved crockery
  • Mismatched or unloved cutlery
  • Cookware, plungers, teapots, gadgets, and sundry infomercial purchases not used in the past 12 months
  • Cookbooks not used in the past 12 months
  • Knickknacks you don’t love
  • Fancy appliances you never use
  • Doubles of utensils, cookware, etc
Bathroom
  • Excess, unused towels, bathmats, etc
  • Excess, unopened perfumes, lotions, etc
  • Unloved bathroom ornaments
  • Storage gizmos that encourage clutter
Kids’ Stuff
  • No-longer-used toys
  • No-longer-used games consoles
  • Outgrown clothes
  • Outgrown CDs, DVDs, etc
  • Outgrown back-packs
Garden
  • Unloved garden ornaments

Step 2: Take your bag straight out to the car for charity-store drop-off.

And you’re done!

Got an Extra 5 Minutes?

  1. Find another 12 or more items for donation.
  2. Set up a donation box or basket: Place it in a hall closet or the laundry (somewhere tidy that will still be a visual prompt), and use it any time you notice something unused or unloved in your home, wardrobe, car or office.

Now you’re a power donator!

The 30-Day Organize-athon Mantra

Move fast. Don’t overthink. Let it go!

Start the 5-minute timer now.

Got a Question?

If you have questions about any of the 30-Day Organize-athon tasks, or the 30-Day Organize-athon program in general, please ask your question on this Q&A post or on this Facebook post.

I’ll put together a special Q&A post and answer the questions for you.

Leave Your Comment Below…

Please leave your comment below to say you’ve completed today’s task.

See you tomorrow!

[Image by aussiegall]

Michele | Get Organized Gal

Michele is into writing, books, simplicity, love, TV, productivity, and staying thin in a world of chocolate.

108 thoughts on “30-Day Organize-athon | Day 27: Declutter By Donating A Dozen”

  1. Bernadette says:

    Seemed like it was too much work but it’s not that bad. I’ve done everything. Threw like 30 things away.

  7. Brenda says:

    I love getting rid of all my excess stuff. I am having my daughters go through their room now and doing the same thing. Phew. I anticipate my trip to the thrift store – but I think that I will need to go in a truck :-}
    All Done

  9. Leanne says:

    Love that our Good Will truck is so close by! It’s harder to donate toys, but still a few places that take them — Veterans, Epilepsy Foundation, etc.

    Done!

  11. Karen Z. says:

    Nothing like getting ready to move to declutter. Moving sale and then to Good Will. An entire car load was dropped off with baby clothes, men and women’s clothing, dusty knick knacks, picture frames…how did I get so many?…toddler toys, and more. I feel like Spring has finally arrived.

  13. Luca S. says:

    Hey, you are emptying my house! Hmm, done, I collected the things, but I wonder who can want them…

  18. Debra Stanley says:

    Hi
    We are a day ahead on this one as when we have been cleaning and decluttering we hung a bag up to donate to a friend doing a fundraiser and a lot of stuff went into it

    I could hear the Mantra
    My hubby was even shocked at what went into the bag

    There is another box filled with dress up clothes that Jalan has either grown out of or i am sick of and they are in a large roller box along with a pile of kids story books to donate to a lady starting up craft activities for kids
    We even had Jalan going through some of the books left in her room and choosing some that she no longer wants

    I am starting to love the extra room

    Oh and we donated one DVD storage unit to my daughters house and one to my sons bedroom for him when he moves out and now there is more room in my lounge room as well getting ready to move around for winter to take advantage of the firebox

    Luv Deb

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