A dusty, cluttered attic attracts pests, poor airIt’s easy to forget about your attic, but then when it comes to cleaning the attic, this space can become a nightmare. Most people ignore this part of the house, and as a result, a lot o quality, mold and can cause health issues for the entire family. The attic needs to be cleaned and maintained just like the other rooms in your house.
These 7 tips will help you keep the space clean and dust free for good.
Before you start cleaning your attic, it is important to wear a mask with grading to filter airborne particles. I would recommend wearing a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) mask, which filters a high percentage of airborne particles.
1.Get Rid of the Mess
We keep filling up our attic with unused items and things that we think we might use in the future. We keep stacking up things in an unorganized way. So, the first step is to take all these items out of your attic. You might find some items difficult to move out of the attic, but you can arrange these types of items in the corner and cover them. If you have a lot of unused items, pile them all together. Separate the items which you are really going to use and donate the rest.
2.Seal Air Gaps
Air gaps can bring in dust and pests into your attic. You can use weatherproof caulk around these gaps and cracks to fortify the space. Fill all the holes developed while installing wires and plumbing work. You can use expanding foam to fill these holes. Another advantage of sealing these types of cracks and holes is that it will expand the life of the insulation system of the attic.
3.Dusting
The next step is to clear the dust accumulated in the attic, but instead of using a feather duster or cotton cloth which just pushes the dust around, I would recommend using a microfiber cloth. The material used in microfiber cloth is made up of tiny wedges that trap dust and dirt. You can also use a synthetic duster which attracts dust like a magnet. Clear the dust from the wall, windows, fan, frames, etc. with ease.
4.Vacuum Cleaning
You can also take out your vacuum cleaner to clean the dust and solid debris on the floor. If you are allergic to dust, I would recommend you to use a vacuum with HEPA or high-efficiency particulate air filters. These vacuum cleaners throw less dirt and fewer microscopic dust mites back into the room as you vacuum. You can use dust bags in vacuums to avoid messing emptying the dust into a bin and dispose the dust easily. You will get rid of all the dead insects, droppings, debris, dust mites, and allergens after vacuum cleaning your attic.
5.Insulation Inspection
Attic insulation blocks the hot or cold air trying to escape your house. Top-notch attic insulation increases your house energy efficiency and saves you money on electricity bills. So, it is important to inspect your attic insulation regularly and do the necessary changes whenever required.
6.Molds and Mildew Inspection
Attics are one of the most common areas of mold and mildew growth in the house. This space has ideal conditions for thriving mold and mildew growth. Mold can grow and travel from your attic down into your living room, kitchen, and bedroom. So, it is important to clean it in a safe environment. Wear a protective gear and face mask. This will help you in not breathing dangerous mold spores. Molds on items that can’t be cleaned should be disposed safely.
7.Move your Belongings Back
Once you follow all the steps mentioned above, the final step is to bring in all the items back into the attic. Make sure you clean all the items before moving them back in the attic. Sort the items, get rid of the junk, use labels on boxes & cartons and consider installing shelves.
Key Takeaways
A clean attic is an important part of your house. Attic cleaning can save you and your family from unnecessary illness. It can also make your house more energy-efficient. Even though you use your attic less often, clean it regularly.
