https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:24:22 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method/page/2#post-1702611 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 11:46:35 +0000 bella 1702611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I moved around 10 times in my adult life, so I am very much used to sorting and purging, but I have definitely gotten lazier in the last 3 years. We have been in the same apartment and now have a kid, so I am sure that we've been accumulating a lot of non-essential stuff. I would love to be able to do another big purge if I could find the time.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method/page/2#post-1702597 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 11:10:42 +0000 Lucy 1702597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So very interesting!&nbsp;<br />We lived in a house in Sydney for many years that backed onto the bush. In about 2000 we had a very close call with a fire, basically we had flames about a stone's throw from the back of the house, though they were not enormous flames we sometimes get in Australia, where nothing will stop them. They were water bombed with helicopters which brought it under control.&nbsp;<br />In that instance, we were about an hour from home when we got a call to say that the street was under threat. So I had an hour in the car to make a list of first things to save. Luckily we had the dog with us, so we dropped her off on the way. I was worried about the birds though.&nbsp;<br />Other than that, the list was fairly short. *Almost* everything is replaceable, as long as the humans and pets are safe. I had to pack up once or twice after that, under fear of evacuation, and again, it really honed my thinking about what was important, and what was not. I only remember being really attached to one item of clothing, a very expensive black wrap cardigan which I adored. The rest? Well, I could live without it. <br />&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method/page/2#post-1702572 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 09:52:06 +0000 Summer 1702572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>First, I'm so glad you didn't need your escape plan after all, and that you are safe.&nbsp; These events do force a rethink about priorities, though, don't they?</p> <p>Since DH and I retired, our focus has been to declutter regularly, so that we don't leave behind a huge problem for our children to sort out, should anything happen to us: not being morbid, just practical!</p> <p>Good luck with the clear-out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method/page/2#post-1702569 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 09:30:23 +0000 Jaime 1702569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well it has been four weeks since I have seen my closet and I will be delighted to meet up with it again and get reacquainted. My functional equivalent to the fire test is what gets on the carry on (as I operate under the assumption that the luggage may be lost). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702424 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 02:33:34 +0000 Nishaa 1702424@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Happy you are okay.<br /> I love to declutter. My problem is what Brie said others who don't think it's necessary. That and in laws and two kids.<br /> When I move next... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702362 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 00:51:55 +0000 Glory 1702362@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chiming back in to say that much of it you really don't miss. In my case they carted out loads of stuff that was damaged and then some they tried to salvage. Over the course of time you barely give thought to it. I can say so far I haven't missed too much of what was lost. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702356 Tue, 26 Jul 2016 00:34:11 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1702356@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Watch out you might get what you're after ...<br />but it feels so good to get rid of old stuff. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702297 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 23:28:31 +0000 Cerinda 1702297@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Glad y'all are ok. &nbsp;I'm overdue for such a catharsis.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702292 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 23:20:49 +0000 chewyspaghetti 1702292@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Una! I haven't been here in a long time, but I decided to check back in and am pleasantly surprised to still see some people here that I recognize. During my divorce and subsequent moves, I had to really downsize. I found it very liberating and I hope that I can keep from getting back to the point where I ever need to purge that much again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702284 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 23:09:59 +0000 unfrumped 1702284@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I'm in some transition times as well and doing hybrid of regular by-room de cluttering and KonMari by- category.<br /> I like your mantra and am also using , who am I and what do I want to do with my time &amp; energy? What stuff is " past life" and what stuff, and space, supports new goals/activities / lifestyle?<br /> It is s lot like clothing style. Hanging on vs. Evolving.<br /> Also, " use your stuff" is like Angie's " "wear your items. " if I unearth something and think, oh, this is still cool, useful, brings joy, I try to think how I might start using it so I can REALLY see if it's all that, or if I just liked the idea if it. That helps, same as remixing wardrobe items to see if they really work. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702213 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 21:35:07 +0000 deb 1702213@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mary, I am glad the priorities are right. Wine is very important. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702204 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 21:23:10 +0000 MsMary 1702204@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's so interesting because I'm numbering my boxes and making a detailed list of the contents of each one. So other than the clothes that are in wardrobe boxes, I will end up with a list of pretty much every single thing I own! (Or at least everything that is going with me.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702179 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 20:53:30 +0000 Greyscale 1702179@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hah! I also have a stash of old polypro and Sorels from the early 1990s! (Some of it is still at my parents' house.) And I thought I was the only one who called that whole category polypro! Remember how stinky the old, stretchy polypropylene got? Gear has gotten so much nicer for the most part, but my old Sorels are still going strong. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702175 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 20:43:38 +0000 jenanded 1702175@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I did it when we moved house and probably got rid of 2/3 of what we had. But we helped people evacuate with an impending flood... talk about human behaviour.... a REAL threat was coming, people upstream were dying as it moved so quickly, for us time and extent unknown but we needed to move quickly to be able to use escape routes. And people were pondering whether to keep or move old 'brand name' electrical appliances etc. Yes perspective is an interesting thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702171 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 20:42:37 +0000 jenanded 1702171@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I did it when we moved house and probably got rid of 2/3 of what we had. But we helped people evacuate with an impending flood... talk about human behaviour.... a REAL threat was coming, people upstream were dying as it moved so quickly, for us time and extent unknown but we needed to move quickly to be able to use escape routes. And people were pondering whether to keep or move old 'brand name' electrical appliances etc. Yes perspective is an interesting thing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702165 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 20:33:44 +0000 Amy 1702165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I did that kind of purge when I moved last year. It was cathartic! Good for you </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702158 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 20:22:05 +0000 JAileen 1702158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Twenty or twenty two years ago we had a wildfire burn down the hillside near our (then) home. We did the same, going through items that were irreplaceable and sentimental. Photos, a coverlet hand woven by my MIL, blanket chest made by my long gone grandfather. Things like that made the cut. TVs, stereos, etc., did not. I put stuff in my car and went to work. My husband stayed home and hosed down the roof. He was packed and ready to evacuate if need be. Fortunately it didn't happen to us either. It definitely put everything in perspective, though! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702146 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 20:13:04 +0000 Ornella 1702146@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sort of, when I was moving countries last time (4 years ago). It truly was catarthic. I had a game with myself, I aimed to get rid of 1000 things in a few months and actually took inventory as a (sad) reminder if what sort of stuff we can find justification for to keep. I'm talking old phone cards from when I lived in country X because, hey, I needed that piece of plastic to remember all the good moments I had... and other nonsense.<br /> I often think I should attack current home with the same purging mentality as before the relocation because I feel we could do with less of everything (except Legos), somehow having space had taken my focus off reducing, so thanks for the reminder!</p> <p>ETA: I think there is a website Burning house or similar, where people post what would they keep in case of having to quickly leave the burning house. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702144 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 20:12:50 +0000 Anonymous 1702144@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We used to move frequently (as in from one state to the other), so periodic purges were imposed on our entire family. Now that we've been in one place for over 5 years (a record for us), the stuff is starting to accumulate. I did manage to get my DD to take stuff to the Goodwill Store after my MIL passed away, so that helped a lot. I'm still stuck with 2 hospital beds that are taking up too much space, not needed anymore, and require special tools to disassemble. I've called all over town to various charitable organizations, and no one wants to take them. They're only 4 years old and I'm giving them away, for goodness sake, but still no takers. I may have to try Craig's List, but we need to figure out how to disassemble them first. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702131 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 19:57:51 +0000 Anonymous 1702131@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love a good cleaning and purging binge. Both DH and I get each other going on it and we're pretty good at it. Except for when I find his stuff (aforementioned old electronic crap) never made it past the garage. &nbsp;But yeah - I am determined not to leave this earth with a pile of old things left behind for someone else to deal with and carry my mother's words with me on that subject. Something to the tune of "quit buying so much stuff" . &nbsp;Also - space and tidyness is such a calming feeling .&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702127 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 19:55:52 +0000 rachylou 1702127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh gosh, moving from the burbs back to the city was like that. My size of abode has been half since. I had a room devoted to books once, now I'm pretty much not allowed to buy a physical book - or dvd/cd for that matter. I threw out all the cases for the dvds and got rid of more than half my books. I can have no more paintings. I got rid of half my clothes. And furniture. My furniture! Gave my lovely 'French country' table and cabinet to my mum. Lots of bookcases gone. My big round poufy hassock. My grandma's hand carved chairs. And all my happy meal toys! And no more wall of Barbies! Wahhh!</p> <p>Lol. Amazing what you can do without when you have to. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702118 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 19:46:38 +0000 MsMary 1702118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And of course yesterday everything had to stop because the grapes were ripe and we had to harvest them and make wine... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702108 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 19:34:44 +0000 catgirl 1702108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, that is a sacrifice! I can't imagine that plus planning a wedding... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702107 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 19:30:42 +0000 MsMary 1702107@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Omg this is so me right now! I'm moving to Lovely Fiance's house this weekend and am trying to be ruthless about what I take with me. And he will need to be similarly ruthless to make room for me!</p> <p>Fortunately I am able to leave the furniture and many of the other things (kitchen equipment, linens) for my tenants, but I am still getting rid of massive amounts of stuff including half of my shoes and handbags and most of my jewelry.</p> <p>It feels good but strange. And oh it is SO MUCH WORK!!!</p> <p>I really mean it this time: I am NEVER moving again! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702104 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 19:23:27 +0000 AviaMariah 1702104@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I try to use "what would I keep if we're moving" mentality. I love the feeling when you've gotten rid of all the extra c*ap! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702086 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 18:55:04 +0000 RobinF 1702086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's a good way to look at it, I know we have way more stuff than we need and it is starting to bother me. It's just built up over the years. I have been thinking this about my clothes but I should apply it to our whole house.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702077 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 18:45:38 +0000 texstyle 1702077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So glad it was just a metaphor!</p> <p>Moving is a great catalyst for this too - we moved several years ago after a very long time in one house and got rid of a lot of stuff. I still have some work to do though as I have collected more again and I did take some things that I probably should have sold back then. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702064 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 18:27:32 +0000 Anonymous 1702064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do that, too, although I don't have to picture the house burning down in order to decide what stays and what goes. My DD, on the other hand... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702063 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 18:27:07 +0000 BrieN 1702063@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>oh, yes. We are selling our home that we've been in for 20 years and moving to a smaller place. We've spent many hours discarding and organizing, and I am stunned how much more we need to do. I read recently in the NYT that it gets increasingly difficult to do this type of work the older you get, and I see why. It's exhausting! It's also hard to do with the other people in your family who have different keep/toss tendencies than you do.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/burning-down-the-house-my-new-cleaning-method#post-1702053 Mon, 25 Jul 2016 18:14:44 +0000 Ledonna N. 1702053@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh wow, I love the title. I do the same thought process. When something I have to make a decision about. </p>