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As you may already know, Georgia summers can get scorching hot, and so can your attic. While you may not use your attic for much other than storage, since it’s probably unfinished, it’s a good idea to keep it clean and organized to reduce heat in that area. Dense piles of junk in the attic can create a heat blanket, making your home hotter than it needs to be. Clutter in your attic can also cause your HVAC system to work harder than it should. If you want to bring the temperature down a bit in your attic and reduce your energy bill, you’ll want to organize it. Here are some tips on cleaning and decluttering your attic this summer.

Clean the Attic, Beat the Heat

Your attic may have become a secondary storage area in your home, piled with boxes, old furniture, holiday decorations, and additional knick-knacks that you don’t need. Since it’s already hot in this part of the house, especially if it is unfinished, you’ll only make it hotter by storing these items here. Items stored in this area act like a thermal battery, absorbing heat all day and pushing it through to other areas of the house like a dense heat blanket.

Attics in most homes, particularly unfinished ones, can reach 130 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. The heat blanket that forms from clutter in the attic can make the floor below it warmer, causing the HVAC system to work overtime to cool the area. Clearing out the junk in the attic and organizing what remains can help dissipate stagnant heat by lowering the temperature in the roof area. Here are some tips on clearing clutter and organizing the attic of your Atlanta home.

Clear the floor.

The best way to eliminate the blanket effect in the attic that’s heating up the rest of the house is to clear the floor. Instead of piling items in the middle of the floor, store them in containers and place them on shelves near the walls of the attic.

Toss out old furniture.

You may be storing old furniture in your attic in hopes of using it someday. Essentially, you are adding to the thermal battery effect that’s heating up your house while you wait. Instead, move this furniture somewhere in the house to put it to good use, donate it, or sell it.

Remove heat-sensitive items.

Ideally, you’ll want to also remove heat-sensitive items from your attic. While removing these things won’t reduce your energy bill, you’ll minimize the mess they can make when they melt in extreme summer temperatures. These items include old vinyl albums, candles, toys, VHS cassettes, and the like.

Get rid of cardboard.

If you have plenty of cardboard boxes lying around, they may be adding to the heat blanket. Additionally, they may be attracting cockroaches and silverfish to your house and attic. Eliminate the boxes and replace them with storage containers.

Items to Purchase from the Container Store

Not only should you clean up and get rid of items, but you’ll also need to organize what remains. Here are some items from the Container Store that can help you organize your attic.

Weathertight Tote Clear (Various Sizes)

Check the price on the Container Store website.

InterMetro 3-Shelf Solution

Check the price on the Container Store website.

Large Bike Rack

Check the price on the Container Store website.

Ready to tackle your attic? Shop for these key items from the Container Store today to prep your home for the summer heat!

Cover image courtesy of AI.

Product image courtesy of The Container Store.

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Mel is the author of this article, the owner of Move Me To Atlanta, and the founder of her own writing company in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia. With many years of hands-on experience working in premium and luxury retail, Mel Childs knows exactly how to spot quality products that deliver true value. Additionally, she has written freelance for a diverse range of national publications, including Parade Home & Garden, Dengarden, Bob Vila, This Old House, and many more.