It’s that time of year you want to throw open your closet doors and clear the sucker out. Get rid of the old crap and see the back wall for once. Only problem is, eventually, you’ll probably refill it, right?
I just read a book on the “new minimalists,” guys who’ve discovered less is more, etc. They emptied out their closets, so to speak, both literally and metaphorically, and they’re never filling them up again. They claim this will make them happier and more creative, but they’re barely thirty, so I’ll wait for the ten-year update. (The book, Everything That Remains, was pretty good. I reviewed it here.)
After I finished it, I went and cleaned out my closet, getting rid of about 20% of the stuff that I feel guilty about never wearing. Along with my new mission to go silver, I’m going to dress more simply, too.
While I was cleaning and fussing, I came up with a solution for an admittedly very small problem. But still, it’s pretty clever, so I share it with you here. Because I never want you to leave empty-handed.
Do you ever wonder what to do with leftover soap bars, when they’re too small to use but too nice to pitch?
You know how it goes. They’re more of a pain than anything else, but still smell like that time you went to the beach with your sweetie and there was this cute gift shop where you bought them? Well, you don’t have to throw that skinny thing away.
Just bag it, using one of those little cloth bags they gave you the last time you bought a pair of glorified gift-shop earrings. Then break it into pieces and hang it in the shower.
Here’s what you get:
- A pretty, fragrant way to use your specialty soaps right down to nothing. How frugal of you.
- The bag imparts a loofah effect, resulting in smoother skin.
- When you exfoliate in this way, it increases the effectiveness of any follow-up skin product you might use.
Smart, eh? Thanks to the nice lady at Michael’s for this crafty idea.
What clever thing did you discover, concoct, or invent recently?
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Oh, and I forgot to say that I am going to clean my closets as well. I counted my jeans and I have over 30 pair. Have had some of them for over ten years and I think they still fit but how would I know cause I always reach for the same three pair-my personal favorites. I am going to go through them this week!!!!and make a donation to a charity or else recycle some of my old t-shirts for rags. I do this every year but then I hit the sales and that’s that.
When my kids were small I used to save small pieces of soap and then take an old wash cloth, dump them (the soap, not the kids) into it and sew around the edges. They liked to clean themselves in the bathtub with them. I don’t use soap any more now. Well in a way I do, but it is called body wash and it is liquid. I like that better, and even though it is a bit more expensive-you don’t have to use much and it doesn’t make a mess in the soap dish.
Timely post Lynne 🙂 I have been reading, and making simple reference notes as I go a book by Marie Kondo about tidying up once and for all by discarding, donating, gifting, and organizing what brings you joy to keep. It is the best. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up-marie-kondo/1119564096?ean=9781607747307
I am starting with the boxes of files, papers etc. as a local free shredding day is coming up in April 🙂 Feeling good as I go through the process.
Great idea about the pieces of soap. Thanks.
Thanks for the book link, Ann. I will try to not refill the empty spaces as the months roll by. It’s so great to go into my closet and see space.
You are welcome Lynne. It makes us feel freer when we get rid of unnecessary “stuff” 🙂
Okay, Lynne, this post reminds me of a recent “Gracie” episode. She’s our dog and at a past holiday dinner, my daughter’s family brought their new puppy (35 lbs at the time). Well, Grace was quite distressed at first, running around all over. We noticed she was foamy at the mouth, not unusual in this type of situation … but it got quite bad. I went to wipe her chin and realized it smelled like bar soap.
Evidently she had taste-tested a chip she found, from when I had “soaped” a newly purchased “used” bureau piece! I use your same trick for that … AND closet refreshers!
Oh, no!
No, dog mouth cleaner is definitely not on the list of Lynne’s Recommendations for Repurposing Household Products.
Hi Lynne,
I want to clean my closets, too. I Have several winter coats I never wear even a maxi lenght fur coat that is reversible. (It was a gift ) but I never wear it. I would rather gift this item to someone I know than to give it to good will. Don’t you think?
Also sometimes churches have a good yard sale to make money. Some of my clothes will go there, too. I just hate thinking my nice clothes will be thrown out if the good will doens’t find a home for them. They only keep that seasons clothes.
The coat hanger idea sounds good. I ‘ll try it. 🙂
Clara, some years ago I had a chocolate leather duster. Oh, it was beeeeutiful. But I live in SoCal, in a Mediterranean climate. So I packed it up and sent it to my friend who lives in coastal Oregon, where it is often cold and damp. It was perfect for her, and she was excited to receive it. That might have been ten years ago, and it still gives me pleasure to think of it. So, yes, think of a special someone who can actually use the coats. Best wishes.
Hi Lynne,
Good idea I hate throwing out small soap bits and will give it a try.
Sometime ago I was having difficulty deciding which clothes to donate as my closet was buldging. You know, the clothes that are perfectly good and would do in a pinch yet never seem to get worn. Well a friend told me to hang all my clothes with the hanger hooks facing outwards and when I wore a piece hang it back the correct way, hanger hook facing inwards. After 6 months if there are any hangers still facing the wrong way, those are the items to donate. I tried it and reduced my wardrobe by about 2/3’s! It felt very liberating and good to know someone else was perhaps making use of these items. It makes shopping easier as well when you know what’s already in your closet. I was interesting to see how many pieces I had that were almost the same which told me something else!
On another topic… I stopped colouring my hair 10 years ago and it is a lovely silvery white now, who knew? I get compliments regularly from folks I don’t even know! Do you ever wonder if there are any side effects to all that hair dye we plastered on our scalp for decades? Yikes!
Enjoy your posts.
Lynda
Lynda, one of the best bits of that book was the idea that we own things “just in case.” I had a couple dozen old shirts that I never wore because of the way they fit. Once I articulated that to myself, it was easy to fold it and slap it into the Goodwill pile.
I had tried that “backwards hook” idea but having the items in the closet was like a challenge to see if I could figure out a use for them. This time, if I think I might regret getting rid of them but never use them, I put them in the guest room closet with the date, and I hope to forget them and live without them for a good long while, long enough to one day feel easy with getting rid of them.
As for the chemicals, I don’t want to think about it. Too late now!
Enjoy your day.