5 Things In Your Attic You Should Toss Immediately, According To A Pro

Few projects sound quite as unappetizing as cleaning out the attic. Who knows what lies beyond the rafters, after all? But that doesn’t mean we should shut the door and forget we ever started piling all our unwantables in there a decade ago. In fact, the attic is one space that demands our attention.

“It's crucial to recognize that clearing out attic clutter goes beyond creating more space; it contributes to a safer and healthier living environment,” says Lisa Merry, president, Junk King, a Neighborly company. “Cluttered attics can contain pests, mold, and fire hazards, posing risks to both the home and the people who live there.” Merry suggests regular decluttering both to help maintain the attic and also to keep the home’s overall safety in check.

While cleaning out the attic is a project worth tackling—and soon, at that—it’s important to know when to call in the pros, what items are the real red flags, and how to get started. Here Merry sounds off on all these topics and more.   

How To Get Started

Merry understands the myriad of reasons that can make cleaning out an attic more than just a chore.

“Emotional connections to items, the perception of the task as overwhelming, and time constraints are common reasons,” she says. “Some people may also be reluctant to part with belongings that hold memories, even if those items are no longer useful.”

Beyond the emotional aspects are the physical demands which can be downright daunting. While it’s tempting to keep hitting snooze on this project, Merry says clearing out the attic shouldn’t be a task that you continue to put off as it could lead to damage or loss of functionality within your attic or even more accumulating junk.

To get started, make the job manageable for you. Put an appointment in your calendar, set a timer, and start putting one foot in front of the other when it comes to clearing out. Depending on your energy and enthusiasm for the job, you might schedule an hour or even 15-minute sessions once a week or daily. Just set rules that are manageable for you to actually stick to. Whether the job takes a week or six months, you’ll have a major sense of accomplishment when all is said and done.

Things You Should Toss Immediately

From appliances that haven’t worked in years to items with no sentimental or practical value, Merry shares her top toss-able attic items that you need to ditch ASAP. Just make sure to dispose of these items by recycling or donation in order to reduce environmental impact, she advises.

Broken Appliances

Why we’re hanging on to that electric kettle that hasn’t even put forth a simple simmer in years is a question for the ages, but the fact that it doesn’t belong in your attic is a sure thing. Like electronics, appliances might require special recycling or disposal sites so do your research to ensure you’re removing your appliances safely.

Outdated Electronics

You know you have a stash of electronics that you just haven’t been able to part with stowed somewhere up there. Consider this your sign that it’s time to make a clean sweep. Before you haul it all to the trash though, find safe ways to dispose of or recycle your batteries and other electronic items.

Cardboard Boxes Full of Miscellaneous Items

Not only are cardboard boxes that haven’t been unpacked since your move ten years ago unsightly, but they’re also susceptible to humidity and moisture which can make them a magnet for insects—especially roaches. If going through boxes is a particularly loathsome task, set a timer once a week for 30 minutes to start hacking away one cardboard box at a time. Merry says items that don’t serve a practical purpose and don’t have any sentimental value are probably best to donate, recycle, or dispose of.

Old or Damaged Furniture

It’s so tempting to hang onto a charming table with a wobbly leg or Grandma’s rattan chair, even though it has a grapefruit-sized hole in the seat, but it might just be time to say goodbye and cherish the memories instead. This is one group of items where being self-aware will pay off. If you enjoy refurbishing furniture and know you’ll execute your plan for these old or damaged treasures then you have our full permission to hang on to them until time allows for your DIY dreams to come true. Otherwise, it’s best to cherish the memories and hope that someone else can bring your storied pieces back to life, whether that’s a stranger who picks it up from the curb or your second cousin who always admired that wobbly pine table and has been known to work wonders with previously loved furnishings.

Items Susceptible to Decay

Merry says items like old magazines, papers, and clothing can all be potentially susceptible to decay, which means you’re going to want to get them out of your attic as soon as possible. All of these items are typically easy to recycle or donate, so create piles and move them directly to the car or recycling bin, instead of just moving your mess down to the garage where it has the potential to sit for a few more months or even years. Doing the job of clearing out the attic should be thought of as a start-to-finish project, even if that means going through one box every week rather than 10 boxes in a day but with a major mess left on your hands (or in your garage).

When To Hire A Pro

“Hiring a professional junk removal service becomes worthwhile when the task is too extensive, physically demanding, or emotionally challenging for individuals to manage independently,” says Merry. In situations where the attic requires extensive organization and sorting, there is hazardous waste or other items that require specialized disposal, or even if it’s simply filled with items that are heavy and difficult to safely remove, Merry says it’s time to call in the pros. “If time constraints or health concerns are factors, bringing in experts ensures a thorough and swift cleanup, allowing homeowners to reclaim their space without stress,” she explains.