10 things you should never store in the attic

Having attic space certainly comes with its advantages. It allows you to tuck away items you don’t want cluttering up your living areas. However, hauling things upstairs with little to no intention can lead to a couple of problems.

Understand your attic

There are two main factors to consider when deciding what to store in the attic: high temperatures in the summertime and possible condensation during the winter.

Ideally, your attic shouldn’t be more than 10 to 20 degrees above the outside temperature. More realistically, however, they can go much higher than that (sometimes up to between 150 degrees Fahrenheit or more!).

The second issue usually occurs more often during the colder months. Warm air from heating the home can rise into the attic and mix with cooler air under the roof. This causes moisture to develop that can turn to frost during the winter months. Once spring rolls around, the frost will melt and cause more condensation.

You’ll know if you’re experiencing either of these conditions by smelling a musty odor, seeing water droplets on a window, or feeling overly hot or cold when in the attic depending on the time of year.

1. Candles and crayons

While it’s unlikely you’ll store these two items together, they fall under the same category. The wax that makes up both candles and crayons can melt in high heat and become a mess to clean up.

2. Books

Your beloved childhood collection, or those old textbooks from school, should never be stored in the attic for several reasons. High moisture levels can cause mold and mildew to quickly grow on the covers and pages in between. And silverfish thrive in hot, humid environments and are known to feast on both paper and glue (such as the kind used in bindings). Discovering an infestation when you go to grab an old book would be an unwelcome experience, to say the least.

3. Instruments

Have you put a musical hobby aside for the time being? While you might plan to pick it up again in the future, don’t think about keeping your instruments in the attic until then. Mold and mildew can actually sneak their way inside them, putting your health at risk, specifically if it’s a wind instrument. Otherwise, those made of wood will warp in high heat and their cases, especially those with fabric interiors, are susceptible to mold, mildew, and insects.

4. Fabric

As a general rule, all fabric should be excluded from attic storage. But pay special attention to anything made of wool, linen and silk. Common attic critters, like moths, mice, and carpet beetles, are highly attracted to these materials. Leather clothing or furniture can begin to crack and take on a musty smell so leave it out as well. Along the same line, avoid using the attic to store excess rugs and bedding.

5. Holiday and home decor

It’s fairly common to think of the attic as a good space to store holiday decorations once the season is over. Well, considering that a lot of decor consists of materials like fabric and paper, it’s best to pick another place. The same goes for home accessories, particularly paintings that can fade or turn into a meal for pests and wood furnishings that will warp in high temperatures.

6. Keepsakes

Anything that’s irreplaceable, and therefore invaluable to you, is also off limits. This can include photos, as previously mentioned, as well as home videos, sentimental mementos, and family heirlooms or antiques. There’s simply too much at stake and the fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels in the attic create an unreliable storage space.

7. Electronics and batteries

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can permanently damage electronics, rendering them defective. Heat can shorten battery life or cause them to rapidly corrode and potentially explode, creating a hazard. Recycle old electronics at a local scrap metal facility and rehome the ones you utilize occasionally downstairs.

8. Toxic or flammable substances

These items should be kept to a minimum in your home, but attics can be an especially dangerous place to store them. The fumes from chemicals emit gases into the air, which may seep into HVAC ducts and blow into the living spaces below. Additionally, fires are known to sweep through attic space rapidly as flames can spread up to the rafters and then down the walls of the entire house. While paint may seem somewhat harmless, some types such as oil-based or aerosol, can combust if they get too hot.

9. Fire extinguishers

Now that you’ve removed any fire hazards from the attic, there’s no reason to stow an extinguisher in the space. Most companies that manufacture these essential pieces of safety equipment warn that they are not designed to withstand temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Every home should have at least one extinguisher that perpetually lives in the kitchen, where most fires originate. It’s also smart to keep one on the second story and another in the laundry room in the event of a fire caused by a clogged dryer vent.

10. Heavy items

Depending on the entryway to your attic, getting items in and out of it may be tricky. Make the process more painless by storing only lightweight things or containers up there. Moreover, overloading the area with heavy stuff can compromise the delicate attic floor.

(Better Homes and Gardens is a magazine and website devoted to ideas and improvement projects for your home and garden, plus recipes and entertaining ideas. Online at www.bhg.com.)