Do you feel the need to clean your attic but are dreading the process? It can be a long and dirty job; however, a clean and organized attic can help you feel better about your home. Some challenges come with cleaning out the attic – sometimes, things can even get dangerous. If you are ready to tackle the challenge, the following tips may be of help to you.

Get Everything Cleared Out

It is hard to clean if you are surrounded by junk. Instead of cleaning around items, take everything out. This removes tripping hazards and makes the process more manageable in the long run – even if it seems like a big job right off the bat.

Dust Every Surface

When everything is out of your attic, you have the freedom to move about and dust every surface. Shelves, window sills, and other flat surfaces collecting dust can be easily wiped down when there is nothing in the way. You may even find dust in places you didn’t think to look, so be sure to dust everything, less the dust be blown onto other surfaces when you move the removed items back in. Additionally, if the dust has truly accumulated, wearing a mask can prevent any allergens from irritating you.

Floors Come Next

After dusting, it’s time to vacuum and sweep the floors. Vacuuming before sweeping means that there will be less dirt flying around when you do sweep. You could benefit from using a full-size vacuum the first time, sweeping, and then using a handheld vacuum to get the small pieces the dustpan leaves behind.

Check Insulation Quality and Cleanliness

The quality of your insulation is crucial to the heating or cooling of your home. Its cleanliness also plays a part in the health of those living in the house. Mold can grow on insulation and cause concerns. Ensuring that you have adequate insulation for heating and cooling and clean insulation for the benefit of your health is ideal. If you do find mold in your insulation or other areas of your attic, it is crucial to hire a professional for the cleaning to avoid dangers.

Seal Cracks and Holes

Cracks and holes allow air and critters to enter your attic. A professional can help you do this, or some homeowners prefer to DIY this kind of problem. Spray foam is a popular option for sealing cracks that you can purchase at any hardware store. If you notice a rodent or pest problem, you can buy supplies to remove the problem or hire an exterminator to help.

Organize and Donate

Before moving every item back into the attic, consider what you want to donate. Organize the items into piles. Consider these factors:

Do you want to keep it?
Do you want to donate it?
Is it garbage?

By sorting items into piles for keep, donate, and trash, you can easily decide what things to return to the attic. You will likely find that you have to return fewer items to the attic than you removed. When you do return the items to keep, logically organize them. They will be easier to find and use in the future when you know how you’ve organized your items.

Develop a Routine

Rather than cleaning out the attic once every few years, make it part of your routine. By cleaning a few times a year, you will not have to undertake a vast project in cleaning out the attic. Instead, it will be a quick part of your spring cleaning.

Hire Help

If it has been a while since you’ve cleaned out your attic, you may find it easiest to hire help. Elite Services is an expert in junk removal and can easily take care of the cleanout for you. Give Elite Services Junk Removal & Demolition a call to determine the best course of action for your attic situation.

Attic Cleanout Safety Tips