Chances are if you don’t use your attic regularly as a playroom, office, or even a guest room, you probably haven’t been in that part of your house for a while. More than likely, it is a dusty mess. Attics are part of our living space, and anything that affects the attic directly affects the house’s atmosphere. If the attic is full of dust, then there is no doubt that the air quality in your home will be affected. When people neglect their attic, other microorganisms such as insects, mold, and algae may come into play. Cleaning the attic a couple of times each year can also help keep the creepy crawlies away and you and your family safe.
Considerations When Cleaning
When you clean the attic, the overall goal is to clean, eliminate things you don’t want, declutter, and organize. Below are a few things to consider for your project.
Scale – First things first, before you start cleaning, assess the attic to get an idea of how big a job you have ahead of you. Next, take a look around for pests such as rodents. If you find rodent droppings, the insulation in the attic is more than likely contaminated. If this is the case, your project scale is much bigger than you may have thought initially. It is also a good idea to check for other types of damage such as wood rot or frayed wires.
What To Spare – Deciding what to keep can be tricky if you are in any way sentimental. It’s my experience that the boxes, old trunks, and storage containers usually hold long-lost treasure not seen in ages. There might be antiques from past generations, childhood toys, and other items that are special to you. Set your keep rules before you start the sorting process. Otherwise, you may have difficulty getting rid of things.
The Unwanted and Unused Stuff – What do you do with unwanted or unused stuff? There are various ways to dispose of the items that you no longer need or want. The first thing to do is contact KC Dumpster to schedule your roll-off dumpster. It is a great way to get rid of broken chairs, tables, and any other damaged or unwanted items and is also quite affordable. Another option for the things you do not need or want is to pass them along to your relatives and friends. You may find that your unwanted items become their new cherished treasures.
Tips to Clean the Attic
The attic is one area that no one thinks of when they clean their home or do spring cleaning. Everything old but still of value is often put into the attic to get it out of the way. Given these facts, it is challenging to clean the attic. However, with the following tips, you are guaranteed to reduce the clutter, regain some space and end up with a nice clean attic.
Putting Safety First When Cleaning the Attic
Cleaning the attic can be a dirty job with potential unknown hazards. Be cautious as you are cleaning or moving things as accidents can happen.
- Wear a respirator mask, so you do not inhale any harmful airborne particles.
- Wear protective clothing that covers your arms and legs completely to protect your skin from things like insulation and dust.
- Watch where you are stepping or crawling in case nails, or staples are sticking out. You may want to consider wearing knee pads and work boots for additional protection.
Remove as Much as You Can
Before you start cleaning, remove everything that can move. Having less stuff to workaround will allow you to focus on cleaning your attic. Once you have cleared everything out of the attic and taken the necessary precautions, you are ready to start the cleaning process.
Attic Cleaning Supplies
You should have the right tools for your attic cleaning project to make sure you do a thorough job. Below is a list of things you may need to get the job done.
- Broom and dustpan
- Cleaning cloths such as microfiber or shop towels
- Disposable dusters
- Glass cleaner for windows
- A step ladder for hard to reach areas
- Shop light or another bright source of light and a flashlight
- Trash bags
Rules to Efficiently Clean the Attic
When you clean, start from the top down. Start in the higher areas heading to the lower region to vacuum or sweep anything that falls to the floor. The top-down cleaning process helps to ensure you aren’t recleaning things you may have already cleaned.
How to Check for Damage in Your Attic
Your attic has vents from your HVAC system, cables, plumbing, and many other components that service your house. When you leave it unchecked, you may find yourself dealing with damage in the attic. It is advisable to check for damage regularly to prevent issues such as mold or rodents chewing on your cables/lines.
Ensure that you get enough light when checking for damage by carrying a flashlight to check all the nooks and crannies. Check for watermarks on the plywood. If you notice any damp areas or mold, you may have a leak in the roof or an issue with water getting in through the vents. Make a note of damage you will need to repair, such as wood rot or roof repairs.
Make sure that your vents are cleaned by a professional to prevent dust and dirt build-up. You should also check for rodent droppings to see if any pests have made a habitat in the attic. If you notice rat droppings or other pest droppings, you may want to consider calling a professional. Removing pests like bats or rodents should be done by a professional to avoid health problems such as respiratory issues.
Organizing the Attic
Once all of the cleaning is complete, you are ready to organize. A cluttered attic will still look dirty if you do not take steps to organize it. Before you put anything back in the attic, decide on a system to organize your belongings.
Start by placing small items in storage containers or boxes. A great way to group things is by type. You may have a container for picture frames, one for books, another for toys and games, and so on. It is also a good idea to create sections or specific areas for the different types of things you are keeping. Later on, to prevent the trouble of searching for items, consider adding labels to your boxes or shelves. Otherwise, you may end up disorganized once again and not know where anything is.
By organizing everything and designating specific areas for storing items, it will be easy to locate objects in the future when you need them quickly.
Hauling off the Things you Don’t Want
Now that you have finished cleaning and organizing, it’s time to get rid of things you no longer need or want. The quickest and easiest solution is renting a dumpster to get rid of clutter from the attic. A dumpster will ensure that all the items are in one place after you finish cleaning the attic. For fast, friendly, affordable service, contact KC Dumpster Company.
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