If your house has an attic, it’s time to conduct an audit and check whether there are things from our selection there: books, items made of delicate fabrics, wooden furniture, and others.
1. Books and papers
An unheated or uninsulated attic can be too damp during the cold season or during prolonged rainfall, and in hot weather, the temperature in the room under the roof rises to high levels. Such conditions have a bad effect on paper products: books, photographs, various documents. It’s better to remove them from there.
2. Items made from delicate fabrics
Silk, wool, and natural fabrics such as linen and cotton are often attacked by moths. In addition, it is better not to store them in damp or too-hot areas. If you have put away seasonal items in the attic, find a place for them in the house on the top shelves of the closet. By the way, it is also better not to store leather jackets and raincoats, as well as fur products, in the attic; these materials need a cool place.
3. Wooden furniture
Often, furniture that is not needed at the moment is taken to the attic so that it can wait in the wings there. Even more often, this furniture is broken or worn out. If you plan to renovate it or put it up for sale, it is better not to store wooden furnishings in the attic. Possible dampness and roof leaks (which happen in old houses) can cause mold to appear on the wood. High temperatures for natural materials are also contraindicated.
4. Food supplies
If you store crops or cereals in the attic, they can attract pests: insects and rodents. Not only will the supplies be spoiled, the pests will have to be driven out, and this takes time and effort. In addition, in conditions of humidity and temperature changes, food can spoil. It is better to store them in the kitchen in dry cabinets or in the pantry.
When the attic is the only possible place to store supplies, you can try packing food in airtight plastic boxes. This will potentially protect them from pests.
5. Canned foods
Turning your attic into a storage room for canned goods (either purchased or homemade) is not a good idea. Temperature changes can damage jars. Preservation should be stored in a cool, dark, and dry place.
6. Technique
The reasons why it is not recommended to store household appliances and electronics in the attic are the same heat and humidity. But there is another argument against it – rodents can chew the wires. The equipment will become unusable.
7. Fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are not recommended to be stored at temperatures above 50 degrees. In the summer, when there is a lot of sun, the temperature under the roof can go through the roof.
8. Everything that ignites
Gasoline, turpentine, household chemicals, and other substances that have flammable properties should not be stored in the attic if the temperature is high. Also keep in mind that they cannot be placed in rooms where there are stoves, gas water heaters, and any source of gas and open fire.
9. Paints and enamels
A dry, covered, and unheated room is recommended for storing paints and varnishes. And it would seem that the attic is quite suitable. But in summer it can be too hot under the roof, and if the roof is also leaking, this can damage the materials – if the cans are not closed tightly, and water gets inside.
10. Carton boxes
Cardboard and glue are very attractive to pests. Therefore, it is not worth the risk. For storage in the attic, it is better to choose plastic boxes.
