When Attics Become a Dumping Ground

“My attic, my attic someone come help thee.  The forgotten, the treasured and little mice three.”

If your attic is like most, it’s one of the most forgotten areas in the home when it comes to cleaning projects.  It’s where the seasonal clothes and decorations are stored.  Sometimes even furiture and housewares that you’re sure you’ll use again will find it’s way up the stairs and into that space above our heads. 

I recommend bringing a vacuum or broom up to your attic at least twice a year to attack the webs and dust that accumulates in the rafters.  Plus, move things around a bit to check for extra inhabitants – rodents (and their droppings) and insects.  Nobody likes to pull out their summer clothes with mouse droppings on (or in) the box or have it covered in spider webs.  In the case you do have “visitors” up there an exterminator can be your best friend and should be called to consult on the situation. 

While your moving things around, it’s also a great time to asses what really needs to be up there & what could be sold, given or donated.  Old or vintage clothing could be donated to a theater group, old toys or other items could be loaned or donated to museums & travel around the country on display and books could be donated to the library to update their collections.  There’s plenty of tax write offs waiting to be had in our attics. 

Good luck!  Please submit your questions to:  www.sortmyspace.com