Updated: Dec 29, 2022
Contrary to popular belief, your attic is not just extra storage space! The attic has a role in supporting the roof and regulating the temperature of your house.
But… It’s hard to deny that even an unfinished attic makes for very convenient storage space, without the dampness you may have to deal with in a basement.
However, there are some things you should avoid storing in your attic. Whatever goods you keep in the attic will be susceptible to dramatic temperature fluctuations, there is still some risk of moisture, and some items can attract rodents. With that in mind, here is our list of things you should never store in your attic.
Food
Hopefully, this first item on our list is obvious. Food is the main thing that attracts rodents to homes, especially if they can smell it. Additionally, the temperature fluctuations in your attic mean that it’s not a suitable space to store most foods, with the exception of canned goods.
Dry goods like rice, flour, and dried beans are best kept in sealed plastic containers in your pantry, instead.
Paper, Documents, Cardboard, and Books
Rodents can easily chew through cardboard, and many of them love using paper scraps to line their nests. Don’t store anything in your attic in cardboard boxes, and avoid keeping precious books or documents up there.
As for less important paper goods, keeping them in an inaccessible plastic box or container will work well to protect them from pests or the elements.
Wooden Furniture and Fabric
Without temperature control, items made of natural fabric or wood can fall apart pretty quickly. They can get eaten by moths, and rodents may also be tempted to chew away at them to line their nests.
Even in tightly sealed boxes, they can still end up ruined. It’s best to keep them in a room or closet in your house where the temperature is easier to control and there’s less humidity.
Exposed Insulation
Mice and rats love to chew through insulation, so it’s very important that you don’t leave it exposed. Building a floor over the insulation is a great way of hiding it, while also creating more usable space in your attic. You can hire the expertise of a carpenter, or attempt to do it yourself!
General Clutter
Finally, no matter what you choose to store in your attic, it’s important to avoid clutter in general. If your attic is cluttered, you’ll have a difficult time accessing the things you store in it when you need them. Just as importantly, a cluttered attic will be more attractive to rodents, since it’ll offer them so many hiding places.
Instead, keep all of the items in your attic organized and stored in containers that rodents can’t access. Try to stack them in an organized manner. Be mindful of how close or far the containers are from the walls and from each other since rodents love to hide behind tight spaces.
Final Note
Hopefully, with these tips, you can make the most of your attic as a storage space without attracting rodents or putting your goods in harm’s way. However, there’s more to keeping your attic in great shape than just mindful storage.
Making sure that your attic is properly insulated and dry will help maintain the integrity of your home, and it’ll also keep rodents away. If you’d like help with the arduous process of cleaning and insulating your attic, check out our attic insulation service page and reach out to us for expert advice!
