Survey #243—Full Response from Ellen in W Michigan
| If you shop in thrift stores, resale shops, charity stores, pawn shops, or other sources of second-hand goods, what kinds of things do you look for? Are there any categories of items that you would ONLY buy used? Any categories of items that you would NEVER buy used? | I don't usually shop at thrift stores. I don't have the patience and would rather go without than spend hours looking for what I need. I did, though, buy two kitchen chairs from the Habitat for Humanity Resale store when I went to donate some items. I had been shopping for chairs and I couldn't even find anything I like, much less could afford. For $20 I got two chairs that will get me by. |
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| If you’ve ever completed a major decluttering project, have you experienced re-cluttering anxiety afterwards? Please describe your experience and how you’ve tried to manage this feeling. | Some. I got rid of so much before and after I moved into my new apartment and I love the open, airy feel, but I have a hide-a-bed for guests (I used to sleep in a chair and give them my bed.) and I got new bedding for that, but then I had to find a place to store it. It is a balancing act to decide if the benefit of any thing will be worth the space it takes up. My closets are fuller than I'd like, not yet packed, but my cooler is currently stored in the back of my car. |
| How often do you deep-clean your kitchen, going above and beyond whatever daily or several-time-a-week routines you maintain? | At least once a year |
| What routines or habits have been useful to ensure that your kitchen is always clean? | I wipe down all counters and stove-top every time I do dishes. This means that I need to take care of anything that doesn't belong there. I wipe out my microwave (inside and out) every Friday. I usually clear out my refrigerator before I go grocery shopping and wipe up any spills. I have 3 acrylic trays on my shelves where I usually put anything likely to leak or drip so that I can take the tray out and wash it easily. My refrigerator has loosely defined "zones" to make it easy to find things. If/when I notice dirty spots on my cupboards or appliances, I try to wipe them right away or when I am wiping counters. I seldom do a full wipe-down. I'm bad about floors and make do with my robot vac/mop. |
| Here’s your chance to ask Gayle and Ed any question you’re curious about. It need not be related to this survey’s topic(s). If we think that your question—and our answer—might be useful or instructive to The Clutter Fairy Weekly audience, we’ll share them in an upcoming episode. | I feel like I've done pretty well at decluttering and organizing. The laundry and kitchen never get far out of hand and I even make my bed every day (3 months!), but I have a real problem making myself do the actual cleaning: I haven't dusted in 2 1/2 months! Am I missing some tricks? |
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