Hello, and clutter clearing madness!

I haven't been around much lately, partly because I got a bit frustrated with my wardrobe and have been avoiding thinking about it. In the meantime I have not really been doing much that was terribly interesting or important. Mostly just surfing the web and looking for jobs I can apply for. And I definitely wasn't dressed in a fab way while doing it. ;-p But I have been feeling the urge to purge again recently, so I might tackle the wardrobe once again.

As part of this, yesterday I started on a little project to clear up a few cluttered areas of my house, namely the dressing table which was overflowing with odds and ends and the big bag of travel-sized toiletries, freebies from hotels or trans-Atlantic flights, and other miscellaneous "travel" stuff I've been collecting. You know, just in case it comes in handy.

Just for fun, I thought I'd share what I found in the bag:

Travel toothbrushes -- 6
Toothpaste -- 4
Pairs of socks to keep your feet warm on the plane -- 2
Eye masks -- 7
Bars of soap -- 16, plus two packs of soap leaves
Shampoo samples in foil packets -- 7
Shampoo and conditioner in bottles -- 4 each
Toner and makeup remover -- 3
Eye drops -- 2
Hand sanitizer -- 3
Lotion and hand cream -- 11
Face cream samples in foil packets -- 4
Hair goop -- 3
Deodorant -- 5
Various empty containers -- 8
Makeup/toiletry pouches -- 5
Zip-lock bags -- 6

Good grief. The soap is especially astounding, more so because DH just bought a big package of soap last week because he didn't know where to look for the other soap! I don't need to buy any for a few years at this rate! Maybe there is a homeless charity or something like that where I can donate the unused sample bars.

Most of the bottles are now in the shower so I can use them up, and I dumped several that were old or that I never liked the smell of. A small selection went into my wash bag that I usually take when travelling, and I kept a couple of the unopened items to use on future trips. The makeup pouches can go to the thrift store -- I have tons of them for some reason!

Sometimes I think I am a borderline hoarder, although a lot of my messiness just stems from bad habits and an overdeveloped sense of sentimental value. But I do find myself struggling to let go of really stupid things, like lipsticks that didn't look right on once I got them home, or favorite socks that are a little worn out.

Speaking of socks, that's next on the list. I have an entire laundry basket full of them! It's definitely time to clean that out!

13 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

Oh Mander - I feel your pain! I have a basket of hair products that have been accumulating after everyone decided for some reason they didn't like or want to go through.

I think with purging and cleaning, I have to be in the right mood. Once I am started on the task though I try to be ruthless and toss or make a giveaway bag quickly.
Not sure what to do with unmated socks so I do put some in the car wash/rag bag and that works. Athletic socks are fine for cleaning mirrors and small areas

Kiwichik

LOL definitely time for some therapeutic purging.

goldenpig

(website)

Mander, I sympathize--our house is way cluttered too! I did do a bathroom purge recently and tossed a bunch of old half-used toiletries that we don't need. DH loves to collect the hotel toiletries too but we never use them--actually he does use them sometimes (the scent reminds him of being on vacation), but we have tons! Even after my purge we have a whole drawerful of little soaps & shampoos. And I prefer unscented Dove soap and the kids need tear-free soap/shampoo, otherwise I'd try to use them up as well. I know that women's or homeless shelters might be a good place to donate unused toiletries. There used to be a donation bin in the local police station that I would bring them to when I lived in the city.

velvetychocolate

I am the same way! Tons of extra little toiletries, or way too many bath-type things I've been given.

I sometimes arrange some of them in a pretty basket and tuck into the guest room when I have out of town guests - in case they want to try them too.

Also - just found out that my husband's workplace has a drop box - "Hotel Soaps for the Homeless". I thought this was a great idea. The people in his department travel a LOT (like 50% of the time), so you can imagine how many little hotel toiletries these people accumulate. Speaking of which, I think I'll go through that pile of stuff again, and put together a box for my husband to take to work.

ETA: Just found this too:

http://www.cleantheworld.org/

modgrl

I know! I always keep stuff "just in case" but then I never end up using it. Perhaps it's time to let go!

Kristin L

I use to have a bunch of those. I gave a bunch of my samples and tiny sizes of the nice ones to a friend who was putting together baskets for the women's shelter in her area. If you want to get rid of it, check and see is anyone is willing to take it.

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