Hi, all.
Been working through the various junk drawers, cabinets, hiding spots, etc. and I keep coming across little pieces that were, at least at one point, for something either I needed to repair or add to something else. Do you all keep those or just toss 'em. As I write this I'm guessing you absolutely toss them. I just hate that moment where I find thing that needed the miscellaneous doodad that is now GONE!
Ah well, such is life, right?
Overall Rating: 1 vote
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Posted 2 years ago #
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If it is something small or cheap I will toss it. Other items that look more substantial I set out and if I haven't figured out what it belongs to within a week I toss it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
"mystery bits"- love that term. In general we've found them to be leftovers from things long gone. I ask other household memebers if they can identify it first which has on more than one occasion saved me from tossing things that were important.
Posted 2 years ago # -
i used to keep it all....but now i just toss it all.
if it was really vital, it would be where it is supposed to be and not lurking uselessly in a drawer/box/basket.Posted 2 years ago # -
Yup... if it was important, it would be attached! I moved twice with a thing in my 'assorted items' kitchen drawer that after 4 years was identified as the grill-extension for some toaster my former roommate had (which could never be used or attached properly because someone attached it wrong the first time and a part melted). So if you don't use it and don't even know what it's for -- toss it :o)
For the future, someone on this forum suggested somewhere to use labeled ziploc bag so they never become "mystery" bits. So if you buy a new item that comes with a lot of accessories, put them in one bag and label it. I've been using sheet protectors to also hold the instruction manual, but the drawback is they have to stand upright so nothing falls out.
Posted 2 years ago # -
@Trillie,
I also use sheet protectors for the manuals but the sheets are hole-punched so they stand in a binder in the bookcase. The receipts are stapled to the front page of the manual.
If there are loose bits that go in the plastic sleeve I use oversize paperclips to clip the top. I have also stapled the top for items I am not likely to need to open until that appliance actually breaks or whatever.
The ziplock baggie idea is great--I stick the bag at the back of the appliance (i.e. the fridge's weird little stuff that came with it to switch the door hinges or whatever) and tape it on. Of course it is a great idea to have all that stuff together in a box of some type. Maybe all those labeled baggies could live in one of those little plastic hinged boxes where large index cards are held in.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Taping things to the back of an appliance is a great idea! I keep my sheet protectors with manual, receipt and accessories upright in one magazine file that once fell over, hence the fear of sorting everything again. The paperclips are a great (and so obvious *facepalm*) solution, thanks! Oh, and whenever I declutter the magazine file, I take a look at the receipts and the date of purchase to convince myself that if I haven't used accessory X in several years, it's okay to throw it out and just keep the manual (if that -- I recently thought most manuals must be available online by now, too).
Posted 2 years ago # -
these plastic bag ideas are terrific, thank you.
labelling would solve a lot of this before the problem even arises.
it is identifying mystery bits that is the hard part!Posted 2 years ago # -
This isn't a "mystery bit", but I cleared out a TON of electronic wires a few months ago. I had a box of tons of cords that I "might use someday." I finally realized everything I use is hooked up, so I don't need these. Then I got rid of them.
Well, I think the power cable for my TiVo (which I don't use any longer) may have been in there. I realized this when I sold it, then went to get all the stuff and couldn't find the power cords. So I couldn't sell it, and am now stuck with a TiVo and its remote, but no power cord. Guess I'll have to sell at a discount now.
This is the first "problem" I've encountered from uncluttering. Lesson Learned: be careful of mystery power cables. :)
Posted 2 years ago # -
I have a small box (2"X 2") labeled W.T.H.I.I. (what the hell is it) for little "mystery bits" I find that I have no idea what they are. Occasionally, I figure out somethings use, then every once in a while I dump it all in the trash.
Posted 2 years ago # -
In most of these threads I see myself, but I'm happy (and relieved) to say that as of two weeks ago, I no longer have a junk drawer, cabinet, or hidey-hole. Combine that with my now two-year-old habit of PEEP, and I have no mystery bits. :-)
Posted 2 years ago # -
I keep a nice-looking white laminated cardbard box with a lid that is about 16"x20"x6" on my closet shelf. I call it the "Magic Box"... into it goes all the doo-dads... the buttons, the tool for taking the bookshelf apart (labeled as such), the screw that fell out something but we don't know out of what but we fear we might need it when we find out, the sewing kit, the extra key chains, a plastic bag of saftey pins, various lock and key combos (tape the key to the lock), a pack of cards, a back brace I hope I never have to wear again but would not want to re-purchase in case of re-injury.... the trick is that I keep nothing that doesn't fit into the box. I suppose it's a version of a junk drawer, but it keeps it limited. If husband asks for something odd, he knows the answer is likely "look in the Magic Box"
Posted 2 years ago # -
I like the idea of the magic box or zip lock labelled bags. For me, it's the spare buttons and bits of cotton that you get with new clothes that end up in mystery drawers and cubby holes. Then, when it comes to actually needing to repair an item, you can't find the spare bits or even know what button belongs to what outfit if you do happen upon some spare buttons/cotton... to get around the problem we set up a sewing box where we keep all cotton, spare buttons and other items needed to fix clothes. Only problem is they are not labelled very well. This would be an improvement.
The other piece of advice is to only have one mystery box. When I first started out on this idea, I had numerous mystery boxes which defeated the problem really.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I threw away some mystery keys once. They turned out to be the keys for the locking hubcaps on my MIL's car. That was a really big oops!
Posted 1 year ago # -
While still in the process of cleaning/decluttering, it might be good to keep them - I've kept a few things (my partner always recognizes the mystery bits, which helps) that made stuff sell/donateable - detachable cords, mysterious little metal things ("that's the piece that makes the straps on the car seat adjustable for very small infants.").
But they have a definite shelf life - maybe set them aside in a box for a week and then spend one decluttering session identifying bits & tossing the useless ones?
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have a small ceramic bowl of mysteries on my desk.
I learned my lesson after chucking an oddly large screw with a wobbly chunk of plastic on once end. Couldn't even remember seeing it before when I chucked it. A few days after the bins were collected I realised it was one of the adjustable feet from my beautiful 1950s drawings board. It's now propped up with an old book.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I threw out a power cord a few months ago. I still have no idea what it goes to but I'm afraid that one day I'll find out. :)
Posted 1 year ago # -
LOVE the idea of a W.T.H.I.I. box :o)
It's an awful feeling when you notice you find out you threw out something like a key or that adjustable foot and when you run outside, you see rear of the garbage collection truck fading into the distance... I think this is why we hang on to the mystery bits in the first place!
On the power cords: You can buy spare power cords on Amazon (or wherever else)! Also, lots of technical equipment has the same kind of cord, so you can just mix and match ;o)
Posted 1 year ago # -
I found sets of small glass jars from Salvation Army in March that I used to organize my "mystery parts" in the garage. I don't like to throw away pieces to repair or replace furniture pieces, there are several kits to secure bookshelves to the wall (earthquake country). I've got room in the garage, the items are organized in glass jars and it's saved me running to the store for one this or that several times.
The jars were $1 for 6 and have saved me much more than that at Home Depot.Posted 1 year ago # -
Some really terrific ideas!
I try to put them in ziplocs and label them with a Sharpie as soon as I purchase an item. That helps a LOT.
But there are still stray things that I do not dare toss.
Now why can't they make more standard cords? Or put mufflers on lawn mowers and the worst being leaf blowers? (I know that is off topic but...)
Most of the USO's (Unidentified Stationary Objects) go into the junk drawer. As they tend not to take up too much room, it does not bother me. Of course, I have a kitchen junk drawer and a junk drawer in two dressers but I find such neat stuff in there sometimes!
Those tin muffin pans are terrific for organizing that sort of stuff.
My brother dropped his keys down a sewer once. I good-naturedly thought it was hysterical. Guess what I did the very next week? Instant Karma...
Posted 1 year ago #
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