The attic is one of the most overlooked and forgotten rooms in the home. In fact, most homeowners don’t go in their attic unless they are putting something in storage. 

It’s not wise to neglect your attic. The attic needs to be cleaned and maintained just like the other rooms in your home. Here’s why attic cleaning is so important: 

• Improve Air Quality 
• Keep Pests Out
• Maximize Storage Space
• Improve Energy Efficiency

Improve Air Quality

Dust will start to settle in your attic if it’s not cleaned regularly. The dust in your attic will eventually get sucked into your air ducts and distributed throughout your home. Inhaling dust particles can affect the respiratory system and lead to decreased lung function and illnesses. Fortunately, you can get rid of these dust particles and immediately improve the air quality in your home by cleaning your attic.

Keep Pests Out

A dirty, cluttered attic will attract pests such as bugs, mice, and rats. Many of these pests—and the droppings they leave behind—carry infectious diseases that could harm someone in your family. These pests can also damage the structure of your home by chewing through wooden beams, insulation, or wires. To prevent infestations, clean your attic on a regular basis.

Maximize Storage Space

Most homeowners store their personal belongings in the attic. But, if you haven’t cleaned your attic in a long time, there probably isn’t much storage space available. Sorting through your belongings will help you get rid of things you no longer want or need and clear up a great deal of storage space in your attic. 

Improve Energy Efficiency

A dirty attic can also affect the amount of energy used in your home. How? Most attics are designed with wooden beams, walls, and perhaps even flooring. Wood naturally starts to break down over time, leading to small cracks and holes in its surface. The air inside your home can escape through these cracks and holes, which means your heating and cooling system will have to work even harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. 

Attic cleaning can help you identify these cracks and holes so you can get them repaired as soon as possible. Sealing these leaks will improve your home’s energy efficiency. Another bonus? You will also save money on your monthly utility bills since you won’t be using as much energy!

Tips For Cleaning Your Attic

There’s no doubt that maintaining a neat and tidy attic is important. If you’re ready to clean your attic, follow these tips:

• Remove your belongings so you can access every inch of the attic. If your belongings are too heavy to carry, simply stack them up in a corner so they don’t get in the way.
• Sort through your belongings to clear out some of the clutter in your attic. Donate, recycle, or throw away any items you no longer want or need. This is also a good time to inspect your items to make sure they have not been damaged while sitting in the attic.
• Dust all surfaces in your attic. Make sure you use a duster with a long handle so you can clean wooden beams, windows, and other hard-to-reach surfaces. Don’t forget to dust ceiling fans and light fixtures before you move onto the next step.
• Sweep and vacuum to remove dead bugs, dirt, and other debris that may have accumulated in your attic over time. Use the hose attachments to vacuum every nook and cranny in this space.
• Clean the windows using glass cleaner and a soft, non-abrasive cloth. 
• Inspect the attic as you clean it to look for signs of infestations, air leaks, or structural damage. If you see something, hire a professional to investigate the issue further. 
• Replace your belongings after you are finished cleaning your attic. If you spotted an issue while cleaning, it’s best to keep your belongings out of the attic until the problem has been resolved. 

A clean attic is the key to a happy and healthy home, so ask your family to help you follow these tips and keep your attic in good condition.

Add Attic Cleaning to Your To-Do List

Keeping your attic clean can improve your health, reduce your carbon footprint, and make living in your home more comfortable. It’s best to inspect your attic once a year to determine if it’s in need of a cleaning, so mark a date on your calendar so you don’t forget to add this task to your to-do list!