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How to Keep Your Attic Clean
The truth is that your attic is probably one of the most overlooked areas in your home. Most of us almost never clean our attic space which can end up causing several problems down the road.
A clean attic will prevent harmful allergens, mold, and pests from invading crawl spaces.
Here are some tips on how to keep attics clean and tidy just like any other living area of the home:
- Firstly, wear protective gear like gloves and a mask for protection from harmful allergens and irritants. If you’re prone to suffering from allergies that’s especially important.
- Gather all cleaning supplies to clean out the attic space. Some good things to use are vinegar and water in a spray bottle for disinfecting & cleaning, a vacuum cleaner with a filter, old towels for dusting or a microfiber duster, and a broom and dustpan (along with garbage bags).
- Empty the attic by removing all items, including furniture, bags, boxes, and toys, to make the cleaning process quicker and easier. The easier it is for you to have access to dirty areas the faster it’ll go. (It can feel like extra work to move things I know but it really does make cleaning easier & better!)
- Remove the dust by using a micro-fiber duster. Wipe away the dirty window frames, doors, light fixtures, baseboards, ceiling, fans, etc.
- Clean the windows and screens with glass cleaners using a micro-fiber cloth.
- Check for mold or mildew growth. Mold can be toxic when inhaled, and the attic serves as the ideal environment for mold to thrive due to high humidity levels and excess moisture.
- Sort all your belongings and try your best to keep only the things you’ll really need. I recommend donating any unwanted items to the local charity to reduce clutter or sell it locally on a marketplace, classified ads site, or even sell online for a few extra dollars in your pocket.
How Can I Reduce Dust in My Attic?
A good way to keep your attic clean is to get rid of unnecessary items to free up as much space as possible. If there are any air gaps, seal them using a weatherproof caulk, expanding foam, or other supplies.
Filling up these holes will prevent dust and pests from entering your attic while making the home more energy-efficient. A homeowner still has to maintain adequate attic ventilation, however.
Regular dusting is the best way to keep an attic clean. Use a microfiber cloth or synthetic duster for crawl space cleaning.
How Do You Vacuum Your Attic?
Most people are allergic to dust which makes vacuuming a little complicated. One of the best things you can do is to use a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air filter) vacuum cleaner. These throw significantly less dust, mites, and old attic insulation into the air while vacuuming the floor because the air is filtered through a highly efficient material.
Before proceeding, remove any large debris that may clog the vacuum. Wear a dust mask, and start to vacuum the flooring to eliminate dust mites, dead insects, and other allergens. Use vacuum extensions to clean up the tight corners and hard-to-reach spots.
How Often Should You Clean Your Attic?
Schedule attic cleanup, decluttering, and attic decontamination at least twice a year to keep dust under control. Yearly deep cleaning of the attic and organization is really helpful to avoid pesky problems like mold, mildew, and damage from pests like rodents. If you feel overwhelmed or just don’t have the time, you could always hire a professional attic cleaning service to handle it.
At the very least I recommend doing it once a year and being sure to set aside enough time so you can clean it out thoroughly. It can take some time to dust, sweep, clean, and re-arrange things well.
Is it OK to Store Stuff in Your Attic?
Yes, for some items you own, not all it’s ok to store stuff in your attic. There are certain things that really aren’t a good idea to store there because of the heat, potential moisture, the possibility of rats or pests bothering them, and dirt or dust.
What Should Not Be Stored in an Attic?
Here are a few items that don’t belong there for long-term storage:
- Paints and cleaning products are highly flammable and can affect the home’s air quality by releasing toxic fumes.
- Other flammable items; they’re open spaces, which means a fire in your attic can quickly spread to other areas of the home like the rafters and roof.
- Leather products are easily affected by humidity and moisture
- Paintings, photographs, and other artwork or decorative pieces (especially those made with paper or cardstock) can be ruined due to excess heat and moisture levels.
- Clothing or anything made of wool is susceptible to damage from pests
- Books and other important documents can also be damaged by moisture and mold.
- Food or surplus items like meals, drinks, powders, or supplements you consume.
- Agricultural items like seeds, plants, plant supplements, or soils.
Can Attic Dust Make You Sick?
Actually, yes, even though you might not realize it a dusty attic can pose several health hazards due to exposure to dust mites. Some example symptoms are asthma, severe colds, sneezing, and watery eyes.
Dust can enter your house through your HVAC unit or your roof. Learning how to keep your attic clean makes will help make your home a healthier place to live – especially for those suffering respiratory conditions and allergic reactions to dust.
