Attic Storage - Do's and Don'ts

[kp11364]

I'm currently "up north" :sad:, and while I'm cleaning out my attic for my TV move, I'd just like to get some recommended rules of thumb from you for what CAN be stored in the attic. My attic never gets boiling hot in the summer, but that's not going to be the case in Florida.

So I'm wondering about the location (if space is available) "closet", "garage" or "attic" for the following:


Luggage with plastic wheels (hard plastic or canvas suitcases)
Christmas ornaments (wood, glass, plastic)
Extra knicknacks (glass, wood)
Papers (e.g. CC statements, old legal docs, tax returns)


I'm also guessing that cardboard boxes for storage are not recommended either? Rubbermaid or plastic file boxes are okay?

Many thanks in advance,

Kevin

[Garywt]

In New England we cannot put anything with water like a snow globe in the attic as well as no candles etc in the attic as they melt. In Florida you can get away with the snow globes but not the candles etc. We currently don’t really have anything in the attic and keep most things in the closets. That will change some when/if we sell up north but we cannot at this time. We hope to get rid of most things up north is we ever sell. Back to the attic, most things can still go up in the attic and will be fine.

[Michael 61]

Just purchased a new home that I will close on in a few weeks - I’m thinking I’m just going to keep my attic clear - as I get older, I don’t want to be going up and down attic stairs and Schleping things up and down. I’m in the process of down-sizing now, and don’t plan to bring a lot of “stuff” with me to TV. Also, I plan to install some garage cabinets to store the few items that I will be taking with me.

[UnwindRN]

I not TV yet,,,,hoping soon (fingers crossed for 2023) but in watching one the 'The Village newcomers' Jerry and Linda I they said they put their luggage in the attic and the little wheel melted. Opps.

[coffeebean]

We have all our luggage with hard plastic wheels in the attic for several years and the wheels have been fine. I guess it depends on the quality of the wheel. We have insulation on the ceiling of our attic (silver sheets of some sort) to deflect heat so that keeps our garage a bit cooler than it used to be.

I put everything in the attic with the exception of candles as they will melt.

[Toymeister]

I put everything in the attic, I don't have candles. I have increased the attic top venting with static vents by 80% over the standard builder's ventilation, which is the minimum required. I have magic stairs so it's easy access.

I do have wax (for waxing bicycle chains) in the garage and it's never softened.

[GpaVader]

They do make safe stairs and lifts so you can easily put things into your attic. We just have the aluminum ladder, and it works fine for us. We store our seasonal things, minus candles or anything else that could be adversely affected by the heat. I put a bunch of monster racks up there so we have ample storage even if it is only about 4' tall.... We make use of the space. We also store our luggage up there when its not in use. Coolers, etc... We did invest in solar attic fans, while it keeps the air moving and helps get rid of moisture, not sure it does anything else...

[justjim]

Christmas Decorations, luggage, etc. in the storage space above the garage are fine. There is a lot of excellent space above our designer model garage. We Currently have a pull down stairs but soon looking into the magic stairs. Residents in “poor health” or over 75 shouldn’t climb the pull down type stairs nor get on the rooftop via a ladder. I personally know two healthy men who were badly injured climbing such ladders. We tend to be “stubborn” about such things as we age and the payback can severely limit our lifestyle forever. Be safe.

[Deckboat234]

you might want to check and see if you have any room to store much at all up there. Our brand new home is a cottage villa and the attic layout does not allow for much storage at all. I have some empty tubs and a few other things up there and that is it. We would not ever need to install attic stairs as we do not have much space to store items up there.

[MandoMan]

I'm currently "up north" :sad:, and while I'm cleaning out my attic for my TV move, I'd just like to get some recommended rules of thumb from you for what CAN be stored in the attic. My attic never gets boiling hot in the summer, but that's not going to be the case in Florida.

So I'm wondering about the location (if space is available) "closet", "garage" or "attic" for the following:


Luggage with plastic wheels (hard plastic or canvas suitcases)
Christmas ornaments (wood, glass, plastic)
Extra knicknacks (glass, wood)
Papers (e.g. CC statements, old legal docs, tax returns)


I'm also guessing that cardboard boxes for storage are not recommended either? Rubbermaid or plastic file boxes are okay?

Many thanks in advance,

Kevin

I have one good carry-on suitcase I keep in my closet. That’s all. I have a reusable Christmas tree in the attic, but I’m moving to a place with no access. No Christmas ornaments. No extra knickknacks. All my papers are in one 18” deep file drawer. I have a friend who was a consultant in mental health for twenty years and brought down several big file cabinets. Last year she had it all shredded. Most “attics” don’t have ladders or flooring! There are no basements. Garages are very hot and humid.

[NotGolfer]

Been here over a decade. We do have those plastic bins up there. Most are now probably empty. Also a few Christmas items (outside decorations). We'd heard that paper, cardboard draws bugs so that's out. We've had items in the garage that we rarely use and it degrades. Plastic won't do well and to the OP that says they've had no issues, they're lucky. Our luggage is tucked in our closet. You can stack smaller inside of larger. Some people re-do their closet storage. It's a conundrum for sure when you're used to basements, lots of closets as well as storage areas of "up north".

[skippy05]

The heat combined with the UV rays will destroy anything you put in the attic. Do what everyone else does. Park your car in the driveway and use the garage as storage.

[bark4me]

I'm currently "up north" :sad:, and while I'm cleaning out my attic for my TV move, I'd just like to get some recommended rules of thumb from you for what CAN be stored in the attic. My attic never gets boiling hot in the summer, but that's not going to be the case in Florida.

So I'm wondering about the location (if space is available) "closet", "garage" or "attic" for the following:


Luggage with plastic wheels (hard plastic or canvas suitcases)
Christmas ornaments (wood, glass, plastic)
Extra knicknacks (glass, wood)
Papers (e.g. CC statements, old legal docs, tax returns)


I'm also guessing that cardboard boxes for storage are not recommended either? Rubbermaid or plastic file boxes are okay?

Many thanks in advance,

Kevin
I'm not sure how paper would do in the attic in a plastic container. I would put those in cardboard boxes to allow them to breath. Plastic might hold moisture in. We keep all seasonal decorations up there with no issues. We also added a solar attic fan over the attic space.

[DonnaNi4os]

I keep seasonal items in the attic in Rubbermaid containers with gasket seals on the locking lids to keep moisture out. While the attic obviously gets hot, mine has a radiant barrier that keeps it somewhat insulated. Obviously no candles up there and cardboard boxes are a no-no. Besides encouraging bugs, cardboard can combust as they deteriorate.

[sowilts]

The one things not to put in a hot attic are golf clubs. The grips will dissolve. Be careful going up and down the stairs and watch out for stud and nails from the roof.

[Aces4]

I'm not sure how paper would do in the attic in a plastic container. I would put those in cardboard boxes to allow them to breath. Plastic might hold moisture in. We keep all seasonal decorations up there with no issues. We also added a solar attic fan over the attic space.

DO NOT PUT CARDBOARD IN THE ATTIC OR YOUR GARAGE AREA…. cockroaches love it and it’s an invitation for infestation.

[Carla B]

Ours is a "working" attic to which I've never ventured, not being sure-footed. When we moved here husband installed sheets of plywood out to the eaves to maximize floor area and proceeded to move stuff up there. He built regular wood/laminated shelving in all the closets and relocated the wire shelves to the attic, to store paper towels, toilet paper, etc.

Everything has survived intact after 14 years except for a couple Xmas candles.

[dtennent]

We redid our master bedroom closets so that there is now a shelf above our clothes. We use this space for our suitcases. As we travel extensively, we have both carry ons and larger suitcases. Also, consider getting some storage cabinets for your garage if possible. I would hold onto the car until you have your new car in your driveway. As of last May, it was a 6 week wait for a new car to be delivered. Welcome to The Villages!

[bluecenturian]

We store all the items you have listed in our attic area without any major problems. I would recommend getting humidifier packs/powder to put in the storage containers to keep out moisture and smell.

You can’t put soft plastics or wax in the space as they will melt.

[HRDave]

The heat combined with the UV rays will destroy anything you put in the attic. Do what everyone else does. Park your car in the driveway and use the garage as storage.

Heat yes. Ultra Violet Radiation (light) No.
UV cannot penetrate the roof. The attic is safe from UV.

[Jerry Leinsing]

The plastic wheels on your luggage will break apart like there’s too much heat. Shouldn’t store cardboard in the attic because of bugs. Anything that has rubber or simulated rubber handles will get very sticky I need to be cleaned off with whatever does it paint thinner alcohol etc. Attic is fully insulated above the garage, with foil on the slanted part of the roof rafters, with two solar fans and it’s still hot as hell. Things that have wooden metal probably small store fine up there. Plastic candles delicate stuff may be damaged. Choose wisely what you decide to bring down.

[Notsure]

We store Christmas lights and decorations in the attic as long as they are glass or ceramic or hard plastic…no Christmas Tree in attic….no cloth items, expensive ornaments (paint will chip over time), music boxes, paper items. We also store outdoor blow ups in the attic. We keep luggage in the house, as well as indoor Christmas wreaths and the artificial tree. Anything cloth or paper in garage or attic will get musty smell. Use plastic bins.

[Djean1981]

We downsized- so, nothing in the attic. At the last house we put stuff in the attic and never saw it again for 15 years.

[biker59]

I've been informed that the glue used to hold cardboard boxes together gives off a scent that attracts all sorts of bugs, they'll enter the attic through the eaves or vents. Avoid cardboard. We stored our cardboard boxes on the floor of the closet in one of the spare rooms, put plastic storage containers in the garage. We decided not to use the attic at all, too tough to access and unsure of what would keep properly.

[Debset]

If a friend offers their attic storage for you to use, DON'T!! You just might never get it back. My items did not contain candles!! The boxes just walked down the attic stairs by themselves??

[Shimpy]

I'm currently "up north" :sad:, and while I'm cleaning out my attic for my TV move, I'd just like to get some recommended rules of thumb from you for what CAN be stored in the attic. My attic never gets boiling hot in the summer, but that's not going to be the case in Florida.

So I'm wondering about the location (if space is available) "closet", "garage" or "attic" for the following:


Luggage with plastic wheels (hard plastic or canvas suitcases)
Christmas ornaments (wood, glass, plastic)
Extra knicknacks (glass, wood)
Papers (e.g. CC statements, old legal docs, tax returns)


I'm also guessing that cardboard boxes for storage are not recommended either? Rubbermaid or plastic file boxes are okay?

Many thanks in advance,

Kevin

The wheels melted off my luggage stored in attic.

[VApeople]

All we have stored over our garage is some large plastic boxes we used when we moved and our medium sized Christmas tree.

[Greentee]

I’m willing to bet that most of what you now have in the attic you won’t need in FL. Better to have an attic sale in your driveway and save on the cost of shipping stuff to TV. At least that way you will end up in the black.

[Retiring]

I find myself using the attic quite a bit. I have the majic stairs and versa lift. I don’t carry anything up the stairs, put it on the lift and package goes to the attic with the touch of a button. I then go up a comfortable stair with handrails. In a nutshell the majic/versa lift combo have given me a “second” floor. When I need to bring something to the attic I sometimes catch myself saying “this goes upstairs.” That is what the stairs has given me, an “upstairs.” During the homes construction I did add extra lighting in the attic. When I turn on the lights the attic is very bright. As to the OP, I too am curious if there are dangerous items to keep out of the attic. Other than the obvious, fuel, aerosols, etc.

[Michael 61]

We downsized- so, nothing in the attic. At the last house we put stuff in the attic and never saw it again for 15 years.

I will be moving to TV in three weeks when my new house closes. I am I the process of down sizing now in preparation of my move. I have lots of stuff in my attic that I too have not looked at in over a decade - it’s all going to Goodwill or trash - I’m over “storing” stuff that just sits and never gets looked at or used.

[Nana2Teddy]

Just purchased a new home that I will close on in a few weeks - I’m thinking I’m just going to keep my attic clear - as I get older, I don’t want to be going up and down attic stairs and Schleping things up and down. I’m in the process of down-sizing now, and don’t plan to bring a lot of “stuff” with me to TV. Also, I plan to install some garage cabinets to store the few items that I will be taking with me.
This is our plan. We don’t need to be schlepping up and down a ladder. We only have a 16’ POD-like container coming when we move in next month, and the Veranda home we bought is bigger than our former home. No need for attic storage. 😊

[DAVES]

I'm currently "up north" :sad:, and while I'm cleaning out my attic for my TV move, I'd just like to get some recommended rules of thumb from you for what CAN be stored in the attic. My attic never gets boiling hot in the summer, but that's not going to be the case in Florida.

So I'm wondering about the location (if space is available) "closet", "garage" or "attic" for the following:


Luggage with plastic wheels (hard plastic or canvas suitcases)
Christmas ornaments (wood, glass, plastic)
Extra knicknacks (glass, wood)
Papers (e.g. CC statements, old legal docs, tax returns)


I'm also guessing that cardboard boxes for storage are not recommended either? Rubbermaid or plastic file boxes are okay?

Many thanks in advance,

Kevin

A big thing to consider is how you plan on getting stuff up into the attic. The typical fold down attic stairs that many people have installed are not really safe.
There is a quality fold down electrically system that costs around 3,000.

I've put more of the wire shelves into the closets. That plastic shelving I have like ten of them in our garage. Be sure there is still room for your car. I've seen some great shelf systems that install above your car. There is a great deal of space there that people do not even consider.

[DAVES]

We were in our previous home for 40 years and I am a pack rat. We had 4-5 garage sales and I did minimum of 2,000 a day. One man's trash is another mans treasure. Lots of stuff can be recycled. Copper is like 2.30 a pound. Wife just throw it out. Trip to a place that buys scrap. Here is $200 I got for it.

[rjm1cc]

Do you have to put in flooring? Stairs? Are the beams smaller than up North. My guess is they are. Pay attention to weight. From what you said I do not see a problem. Consider storage racks you hang from the ceiling. Might be easier to get too. I would not store the paper in non A/C space. Sorry! Something went wrong! (https://www.amazon.com/s?k=garage+ceiling+storage+racks&crid=2R0H7G7GIU557&sprefix=ceiling+stor%2Caps%2C161&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_12) Link does work and goes to Amazon.