Nony here! I’m excited to share this decluttering guest post sent in by “Fran”! I hope you’ll be encouraged that we are a community of declutterers and that you’ll be inspired as you see what others have done.
Here is a project that I did recently (similar to an old one of yours–kitchen cabinets with the dreaded plastic containers). Things had reached critical mass in my cupboards. Every time I went to pull out a dish, an avalanche of plastic tubs greeted me. It was time for a change.
Here is the before. It is the real before. I just opened the cabinets.
Blech. And I am pretty sure that pot had been “drying” for 5 days when I took this photo. Good thing that a clutter photo is kryptonite to slob vision.
So, the first thing that I did was empty the cabinets. I left a few that I knew would be staying for sure, such as my everyday dishes.
This was pretty bad.
The crazy thing is that half of the containers aren’t even in a pattern that I remember buying! See that blue banded clear lid at the bottom? Yeah, I have never seen that before. And where did that yellow cup on the right come from? There aren’t any other ones like that in my house…
Enough was enough.
I put back the things that I remember using in the last 6 months, putting the less-used (but still used) things on the top shelf. Immersion blender, popsicle molds, etc. Then I matched up whatever lids I could out of what was left.
As you can see below, there were plenty left over.
I threw the orphans out. I also threw out all the old sippy cups that I have had up there for years. You see, the child who used them originally is almost four. I kept them thinking I would reuse them. But, who am I kidding? The soft lids are chewed up and probably a choking hazard at this point. I am also a bit of a germophobe. I feel like those things never TRULY get clean. Too many cracks and crevices. And who knows what they have grown in those tiny cracks in the last three years. So, good bye. Besides, as you can see below (top left corner), I had a two-pack from three years ago that was still in the package. Kept that because I now have a 7-month old who will use them soon. So why did I keep the old ones? Because I am a slob. Sigh.
I also re-homed several items that shouldn’t have been there in the first place.Here is my after. Not perfect, but certainly functional. And yes, I realize how sadly mismatched they are. But at least they all have lids!
Putting the lids on makes so much more sense! They stack better that way, and I can see what I have at a glance. Thanks Nony!
Next project: I am working up the courage to make a decision about that (still in the box) electric skillet above my cabinets. It was given to me when I got married. Eight years ago. Did I mention it has never been used or even opened? My problem is I still dream about needing it in a few years when I fix big pancake breakfasts for my whole family.
About the author: Fran “Less” has made the transition from working outside the home to being a stay-at-home-mom. Now that she is at home staring at it all day, she realizes she has way too much stuff. She is slowly whittling it down over time while trying to avoid any hoarding relapses.
Theresa says
I have to declutter my cabinets about every three months. They get so bad! We actually tossed out all of our plastic dishes (and mismatched lids) and bought a few cases of twist’n’locks. The lids fit both sizes, and they stack into a nice tower.
Such a stress reliever!
Kristy K. James says
This just makes me cringe. Not because of the pictures, but because I have cabinets that need decluttered. And two armoires – two large armoires. So things like this are certainly great motivation, but the picture taking…that’s genius! Nothing points out clutter like a neon sign quite like a photograph, does it. I’m going to have to give that a try.
Congratulations to Fran! Her cupboard, whether everything matches or not, looks great. Besides, non-matching stuff is considered ‘country’ style, which a lot of people try to do on purpose.
By the way…about the electric skillet. If you have the right set up, things like that come in handy on hot summer days. You can cook on a picnic (or other sturdy) surface outside, keeping all of the extra heat out there. 🙂
Bettie says
I use my electric skillet all the time!! For things like roasts and veggies, stuffed pork chops, fried green tomatoes, etc. I would suggest taking it out of the box, washing it so it will be ready and handy, then putting it to use. It is great to use outside, also, especially in summer, or to take on trips for motel room cooking. Couldn’t (wouldn’t want to) do without mine now!! Great job on the cabinets!!! Now, I need to get to work on mine! ;o))
hsmominmo says
Great job, Fran! I’m sure you are loving your newly organized and oh-so-accessible cabinet. The spots in my home that we’ve cleaned out and organized the ‘Nony Way’ are pretty much staying that way. She’s been such a great help in our home.
That electric skillet is a fantastic tool for a growing family – but, if it’s just going to sit there, it might be time to let it go. Would you use it if you took it out of the box? You could give yourself a deadline, like, if I don’t use this by January 1, then it’s out of here!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful plasticware cupboard!
Kristin says
You did great! My plastic ware is in the lazy Susan so when you swing it around, they all go flying off. Thanks for the encouragement! (If you truly don’t think you’re going to use the electric fry pan, sell it at a garage sale or donate it. You’ll be blessing someone else.)
Catherine says
I had same issue w/plasticware. At one point I bought several large clear plastic containers (sweater size?). Then figured that what I needed would fit in one (donated extras), put lid down on cupboard shelf so it can act like a drawer. No longer in my lazy susan cupboard (that now only holds casseroles, serving dishes and pitchers). Since moving these things they now have a home, I’ve been able to limit quantity and they’re still accessible. Now if I could figure out how to deal w/yogourt containers!
Kristin says
Fabulous idea!!
Sue says
I have a round bread pan I got when I got married 37 years ago (divorced 27 years ago). Last remember using it about 30 years ago. Can’t bear to part with it because I “might’ used it again someday, LOL!
margaret minor says
I wouldn’t get rid of it either. I still have some things that are 42 years old (married that long) The quality of things today just aren’t the same as they were “way back when”
Kayote says
My mother used her electric skillet all the time. So I was thrilled when I got mine. I never used it.
Finally realized, the house I grew up in had no air conditioning. My mother took the skillet and plugged in into an outdoor outlet to keep from heating up the kitchen. As I had A/C, and no convenient outdoor outlet, I had no reason to use it rather than a pan on the stove.
It’s still in the house, but in the pile to be donated. Different situation. Since my mom moved to a house with A/C, she doesn’t use hers either.
(Oh, and the yellow cup looks like ones we had that came in 50lb bags of dog food in the…80s?)
Fran says
Kayote, I think you are on to something with the “my mother used her electric skillet all the time” comment. I may have gotten it into my head that a good cook owns and uses an electric skillet from watching my mom and grandmother use theirs. And, in fact, my grandmother is the person that gave it to us as a gift. When I understand why I keep things, I am that much closer to being able to get rid of them. Thanks!
Catherine says
I love Fran’s process. I’ve got the “horizontal blues” you know it’s when things pile up on every available flat surface? Will pull out my camera before I start to tackle it and give it a good look to really get familiar with the issue. Then think: what would I recommend to deal w/situation?
I’m with the others here re: electric frying pan. Either get it out of the box and give it a home in kitchen so you’re likely to use it, put it in storage (is it really camping gear?) or remove it from the premises would be my thinking.
I love seeing how others solve situations similar to my own, Thanks, Nonny!
Lindsay says
This was great! Isn’t it funny we don’t even remember where we get our tupperware! Pretty sure I have never bought any and yet I have a cupboard just like this! Need to go declutter! Thanks for the inspiration!
Kim says
Another way that I read on a blog is to put all the lids in a shoe box so all the containers can stack better and there’s so much less hunting when all the lids are standing on end in ONE place. You use a lot less cupboard space that way. I did it about a year ago and it’s made looking for lids/containers SO much easier.
Melissa Middleswart says
Fran, I enjoyed this post, so I went to your website and read a bit and enjoyed it. Then tonight I had more time so I planned to spend it reading back thru your blog–which I did, but it was much shorter than I had hoped. With 2 small children, totally understandable! 🙂
I wanted to tell you, though, that I was very interested in your posts about your cookbooks and particularly about the old Better Homes and Gardens one actually having healthier recipes. That is a surprise! I had tried to leave a comment there, but it wouldn’t let me unless I signed with livejournal or some other form. And then my comment I’d written disappeared, and I couldn’t find anywhere on your site that gave another way to contact you.
I actually have 3 BH&G cookbooks–one from about 1973, as it was a wedding gift, then 2 others much newer. I use all of them, but the older one the most. In fact, most of my cookbooks are from the early years of my marriage or before, and some were gifts from my mother. She died in 2001, so I won’t ever get rid of those particular cookbooks with her inscriptions in them. I know lots of recipes can be found online, and I do use that convenience at times, but I’m more likely to go to the library when I need a cookbook (I was a librarian at a public library for 30 years–so borrow from yours when you need to, and save shelf space in your kitchen! 🙂
Fran says
oh, sorry Melissa! I am new to blogging, so I will take a look and see if I can make commenting easier. I am adding some more posts (I have done the projects, just have to get them written up). I have to say that Nony’s blog has been such a huge inspiration to me. I have a lot of the same struggles as she does, and seeing how she has made such huge strides has empowered me to take control of my house one bite at a time.
I am so glad you enjoyed my blog. I was surprised that the old recipes were healthier, too! I use the older BH&G a lot. Although I don’t think I’ll be making the aspics any time soon…
Melissa Middleswart says
LOL, no, the aspics don’t have much appeal, do they? Looking at my 2 newer BHG cookbooks (one from 2000, the other one 2005) I discovered the newest one had crockpot recipes. As someone old enough to remember a lot of cookng trends (I have been married 40 years) I well remember when we first all got crockpots, and loved them, then they were somewhat displaced by microwaves, and then in the last few years crockpots seem to be making a comeback. As they should, a good helpful cooking tool in any kitchen.
I love Nony’s site, too–have just made my way thru all of the past posts, just in time for her to take a summer off! (As you should, Nony, your family time is more important and I hope you’re having a wonderful summer).
I certainly have clutter issues, particularly with paper, and reading here reminds me to work on projects a bit at a time, and to keep plugging away at it. As I should do right now! I’ll look in again at your site, Fran, and see if it’s easier to comment. If not, at least you’ll know I’m reading, if not commenting. 🙂