How to Clean the Attic

The attic is probably one of those places in your home that you don’t think about very often. Maybe you have something you don’t want to get rid of every now and then, but you don’t have much room for it anywhere. Such items usually end up in your attic. Attics stress many people outs because the thought of cleaning the ever-increasing mess becomes overwhelming. Even an empty, dusty attic degrades a home’s air quality, which is especially harmful to those who suffer from asthma and allergies. Allergens such as insect excrement, dust, and mould enter your living spaces through attic doors, ceiling hatches, recessed lighting, and if located in the attic, HVAC systems. Cleaning the attic properly will keep you and your family safe and healthy.

An attic is an integral part of many homes across the country, providing extra storage almost always! Unfortunately, homeowners rarely visit their attics, allowing dust, moisture, mould, and rotting wood to accumulate. Although most attics become cluttered and messy, they are not intended to be junk storage areas. You might not enjoy cleaning out your attic. However, dust, mould, and allergens can begin to nest if this frequently overlooked room is not cleaned regularly. Regular attic maintenance keeps your home in good shape and can even save you money in the long run. Although attic cleaning may appear daunting initially, there is a method to follow for more accessible and better results. The first step, however, is to prepare for the cleaning.

How Often Should You Clean Your Attic?

Attics should ideally be cleaned and decluttered seasonally to remove dust and check for problems. A regular cleaning, including sorting essential items and thorough cleaning, should be done yearly. Choose a day with mild weather, especially if the space is not temperature controlled, and allow plenty of time to finish the job. Unless you are among the minority of people who clean their attics regularly and know what to look for, it is recommended that you use professional attic cleaning services at least once every two years.

Why Should you Clean your Attic?

Attics should always be cleaned and decluttered regularly to remove dust and check for problem

Attics should always be cleaned and decluttered regularly to remove dust and check for problems. A thorough cleaning is required once a year. Pests such as bugs, mice, and rats will be drawn to a dirty, cluttered attic. Pests can also cause damage to them.

How to Clean the Attic: 9 Simple Steps

1. Clear the Attic

Before beginning the cleaning process, it is best to try to empty the entire room. This is because space is easier to clean while ensuring no spots are overlooked. You will undoubtedly require assistance from a couple of helping hands to carry out the items stored in your attic; however, if assistance is unavailable, there is an alternative way to go about attic cleaning. The alternative method is to move all items to one common side of the room and clean half of it at a time. Of course, you’ll need to thoroughly clean each item before moving it to the side of the space you just cleaned.

2. Remove Cobwebs and Dust

Allergic reactions can be mainly caused by a dusty attic if left in this state for an extended time, and it will begin to affect other areas of your home. Dusting after a long time adds layers of thick, accumulated dust that a vacuum cleaner alone cannot effectively remove. As a result, manual dusting with a damp cloth is recommended afterwards.

Begin by cleaning the attic ceiling and work your way down the walls, leaving the floor for last to avoid doubling your work. To prevent forming new cobwebs, eliminate spiders while cleaning. Always properly clean the vents and windows for a thorough, all-around deep clean.

3. Clean the Floor

Dust will not be the only thing on the floor; debris from the roof or deteriorated objects will also be present. Before vacuuming, pick up any large trash by hand to avoid damaging the appliance. Before sweeping the floor with a broom, use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust. Using the proper vacuum head will significantly improve efficiency, especially for corners, narrow spaces, and difficult-to-reach nooks and crannies. Finally, sweep any remaining dust and debris from the floor before mopping it.

4. Examine the Room for Damages

If you rarely visit, let alone clean, your attic, there’s a good chance that a few issues have arisen over time. This could include issues with the insulation, ventilation, walls, beams, and floor of the room. If not identified and repaired promptly, such damages can cause problems with your home’s foundation, resulting in costly repairs in the long run.

In some cases, identifying and dealing with attic damage can be done by oneself. Still, larger issues will necessitate professional assistance to safely and effectively resolve the issue. The best time to inspect your attic for damage is after you’ve emptied and cleaned it!

5. Determine Moisture and Mold

In enclosed spaces, moisture and mould coexist. The presence of water in an attic can cause mould to grow in both visible and hidden areas. In addition, condensation can build up due to temperature changes, poor ventilation, leaking pipes, roof leaks, or water in the foundation. If mould grows in your attic for an extended time, it can affect your respiratory system.

6. Get Rid of your Stuff

After you’ve cleaned your attic, it’s time to clear out the room’s contents. The best way to do this is to go through everything one item at a time and organise it into plastic or cardboard boxes. Then, pack similar items together and label the box with the contents for easy identification.

7. Remove Unwanted Items

After you’ve finished sorting through your attic belongings, you’ll need to get rid of any unwanted items set aside

After you’ve finished sorting through your attic belongings, you’ll need to get rid of any unwanted items set aside. The best way to do so is to donate usable items to charity while discarding worn-out or broken items. Make sure that any items that must be discarded are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.

8. Reorganise Your Attic

After cleaning the attic and organising the small items into storage boxes, it’s time to reassemble everything as neatly as possible. Things that would be useful regularly should be kept in more easily accessible areas of the room. In contrast, souvenirs and sentimental items can be safely stored in boxes at the back. Take your time organising your newly cleaned attic, so you have more space to store items in the future. This will also make it easier to dust and sweep the attic regularly.

9. Regularly Clean the Attic

Cleaning your attic regularly will help you avoid the dread of doing three times the work that comes with cleaning after longer periods! Consider doing this at least twice or thrice a year to maintain a healthier environment throughout the house. To keep your attic clean and organised, store future items in an orderly manner, and keep a broom and duster in the room for a quick clean the next time you go up there!

Final Takeaways

Attics are the spaces between the roof and the ceiling of the house’s highest floor. They are usually filled with insulation and, on occasion, heating or air conditioning equipment. Cleaning the attic regularly can reduce the number of allergens and toxins in your home’s air and your monthly utility and maintenance costs over time.