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. Am says:

    I gotta learn how to actually donate the items. I just keep organizing the boxes just in case I’ll need it.

  3. JuliaJayne says:

    Done! 7 big items, due to some major room rearranging, and 5 smaller items from my jewelery drawer.

  4. m says:

    with each task decluttering is easier; even fun. Instead of feng shui it should be fun shway! Thanks for getting us on track.

  6. Raleigh says:

    OK I found a bunch of un needed stationary but thought that I would put it all away so that when the kids put together those shoe box christmas gifts at the end of the year, we already have one aspect completely covered. I will just have to grab some toothbrushes, hair clips, colouring books and some shoe boxes.

    Does that count as done? It will be donated and it is out of the study area so I think it should count.

    I can’t beleive how easy this challenge has been and how much I look forward to the new days post. Because Hubby cooks dinner, I can work on my assignments while he cooks but this last month has seen me refresh the blog page every 5 minutes because I am excited to do/see what the next one will be (where I live, they come through at dinner time). Did that comment really just come from me? I start back at school today and am really hoping that it doesn’t become an excuse for me not to continue with the decluttering.

    Another one bites the dust!

  8. Tanya says:

    Done. I’m sure it should have been harder than it was so there’s still a lot of ‘stuff’ around. Off to the Salvation Army shop now and also a big bag of books for the annual charity book fair. 🙂

  9. Sue says:

    I thought when I started today, that after all of the decluttering…how would I find 12 more things…I did it! I should do that every day! Day #27 done!!

  14. Laura B says:

    This is good, a girl from my neighborhood came around yesterday about a community yard sale in 2 weeks. I think I’ll do this every day till then.

  19. Arielle says:

    Done! I have a dozen things ready to go, but I still see a few more things that I will be adding to the donation pile.

Comments are closed.