Don’t Forget Your Furnace When Decluttering and Organizing the Attic

Decluttering has been a trendy topic recently. Everyone wants to tidy up their homes and create more storage space, but where do most of those boxes go? In the attic, of course! However, you need to be mindful of your furnace when decluttering and organizing the attic. Here are some of our favorite tips and tricks.

Assess the Attic Situation

It’s important to assess the situation before decluttering your attic. Where will everything go? How much floor space is there? How will you access the boxes?

It’s a good idea to measure your attic space. The more accurately you can measure it, the better idea you’ll have of what size containers to buy and how much stuff to store in each one.

You’ll need to determine how much square footage you have available and how much time and energy you’re willing to spend moving things around.

Pull Everything Out of Your Attic and Clean

Before you cram those boxes into your attic, you must be sure that the space is clean, dry, and free of pests. If there’s dust or other contaminants in the air, it will settle on everything you store up there, which may cause problems later on.

You should also check that there are no leaks in your roof and make sure if there are any windows that they have been properly sealed. It’s also a good idea to remove and donate any extra items that are no longer needed.

Declutter and Sort

Most of the time, attic storage bins are made of opaque plastic or metal, which means you can’t see what’s inside. That can make it challenging to keep track of your stuff — especially if you have a big attic and lots of bins.

Fortunately, there’s an easy solution – transparent storage bins! These handy boxes let you see exactly what’s inside. You don’t want to spend hours looking for that box full of Christmas decorations when December rolls around again. With clear bins, you’ll be able to see what’s in each one without opening every individual lid.

Labeling storage boxes is another great way to keep your belongings organized and safe from damage. Use stickers and a Sharpie or go wild with a label maker. Don’t just label the top of the box; label all sides. This will help ensure that you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for later  down the line when you need it most.

Create a Shelving System

Shelves make it easy to neatly store items like books and toys while keeping them out of the way. They also make it easier to find things when you need them. Attics often have unused space between rafters that’s perfect for installing shelving. If not, consider using wall-mounted shelving units instead.

be able to get around the attic. You also need space for a qualified and experienced technician to carry out your furnace maintenance.

Shelving in the attic is a great way to keep things off the floor, so they don’t get dirty. But make sure your shelves are sturdy. You don’t want them collapsing and messing up your beautiful attic organization!

What Not to Store in the Attic or Furnace Room

Certain items should never be stored in the attic or furnace room, including –

• Electronics can be damaged by high heat and humidity.
• Delicate fabrics like wedding gowns or formal clothing can easily be damaged by insects, mice, or mold spores.
• Important papers such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and other legal documents are at risk of dust, humidity, and heat damage. They are also a fire hazard when kept near a furnace.
• Food will attract pests and rodents to your home. If you must keep food items in the attic, ensure they’re tightly sealed in airtight containers or bags so nothing can get into them.
• Paint and flammable materials can cause fires if left near a furnace.

Mind Your Furnace

If you keep your furnace in your attic, there are a few safety measures to consider.

The furnace is the heart of your home’s heating system. So, it’s important to keep it in good working order by providing plenty of room for airflow around the unit. Therefore, when storing items near your furnace, you should ensure they don’t block vents or ducts.

Keep everything at least 30 inches away from the furnace. If you have large items that need to be stored, it’s best to keep them at least 6 feet away from the furnace to allow room for air circulation.

If there’s enough room in your attic, you should have a dedicated area for the furnace and its associated ductwork. This allows for easier access to the equipment for furnace maintenance.

Worried your furnace might need a maintenance tune-up? Call the Bell Bros experts and book afurnace maintenance for peace of mind.