10 Things You Really Need to Remove From Your Attic

If you’re anything like me, finding a place for everything in our busy home can sometimes mean relegating less-used items to the attic. It’s the easiest way to clear out space and keep our living areas a bit tidier.

But over the years, I’ve learned the hard way that the attic isn’t the best spot for everything. Some items can end up damaged, or worse, turn into a safety hazard if they’re stashed away up there.

Here’s a look at 10 things that should definitely skip the trip to the attic.

Food (For You and Your Pets)

Let’s face it, as much as we’d love extra pantry space, the attic isn’t the place to keep any kind of food—human or pet. Storing food in the attic is like rolling out the welcome mat for pests. Even in sealed containers, food can attract all sorts of unwelcome visitors, from ants to rodents.

And don’t even get me started on canned goods in the garage or basement; those areas aren’t much better due to their temperature fluctuations and dampness, which can lead to spoilage way faster than you’d expect.

Electronics

Living in a warm climate means learning a few tricks about storing electronics. The attic, with its temperature spikes, is a no-go zone for any old devices. High heat can melt plastic components and damage internal parts, turning your valuable electronics into nothing more than space fillers.

And if you’re holding onto vintage electronics like VCRs and those precious home videos, heed the advice of organizing experts like Lisa Dooley—these items need a preservation upgrade. Tapes and older tech were never meant to last forever, and the risk of losing those irreplaceable memories to degradation is real. Digitizing old tapes is a way to ensure you can enjoy those moments for years to come, without the worry of them fading away in the attic.

Delicate Holiday Decorations

Around here, the holidays mean decking out every corner of the house. But, despite the convenience, the attic is the last place I’d store my fragile holiday baubles.

Extreme temperatures and moisture can wreak havoc on delicate fabrics and painted ornaments, leading to faded colors and damaged materials. After a couple of seasons, you might find that your favorite decorations no longer sparkle like they used to.

Art

Art in the attic? Think again. Art pieces, especially painted ones, are incredibly sensitive to environmental changes. Like holiday decorations, art can suffer in fluctuating conditions typical of unfinished attics.

Heat can cause canvases to stretch or materials to warp, while moisture might bring on mold or fading. And if pests get to them, you could end up with damaged, chewed, or stained masterpieces—definitely not the legacy you want for your cherished art.

Fire Extinguishers

In our house, we’ve learned that the attic is not the place for a fire extinguisher. You might think it’s a good idea to have one on every floor, attic included, but here’s the thing: fire extinguishers aren’t built for the high temperatures that can cook your attic in the summer.

Manufacturers often warn that keeping them in places warmer than 120 degrees Fahrenheit can shorten their life or even lead to dangerous situations like explosions—though thankfully, that’s pretty rare.

Things Made of Fabric, Including Leather

Storing fabric items in the attic might free up closet space, but it’s not worth the risk. Heat, humidity, and pests can do a number on delicate materials.

For instance, that vintage wedding dress you hope to hand down or the leather jacket you snagged at a thrift store can suffer from water damage, fading, or become a feast for moths.

Even rugs and stuffed animals aren’t safe up there—they could turn into nesting grounds for critters or simply deteriorate over time.

Candles and Crayons

Never use the attic for candles or crayons. Trust me, the heat up there can turn your neatly stored candles and crayon boxes into a waxy disaster zone. Last summer, I learned this the hard way when I found my Christmas candles had turned into one big, unsalvageable blob.

Books

Storing your books in the attic would be a huge mistake. The humidity up there can cause mold to grow on the pages, ruining them forever.

And don’t get me started on silverfish—those little pests love a good book as much as I do, but for all the wrong reasons. They nibble on the paper and glue, leaving your beloved books damaged beyond repair.

Paints, Cleaning Products, or Other Toxins

Even the best-sealed containers can leak fumes. Stowed away in your attic, these fumes can seep through air ducts right into the rooms where your family spends the most time. That’s not something you want mixing into the air your little ones breathe while they’re dreaming at night.

Better to play it safe and stash these toxic items in a detached shed. It’s a bit more walking, but keeping those harsh chemicals out of your main living space can make a huge difference in the air quality of your home. Trust me, it’s worth the extra steps for the peace of mind.

Highly Flammable Items

Then there’s the fire risk. My attic seems to swallow up everything from old magazines to decorations that are too good to throw away, but I draw the line at flammable items.

Things like leftover fireworks from the Fourth of July or that half-used can of varnish from your last craft project can turn dangerous if a fire were to start. Attics, typically quiet and isolated, could let a small fire become a big problem before anyone notices.

I keep anything that could easily catch fire in a safer spot, like my metal cabinet in the garage, away from the house.