Whether it’s a cozy reading room where you like to snuggle in with a good book, a fully furnished guest room, or you just use it for storage, your attic needs a good cleaning from time to time. According to the leading Kirkwood home cleaning services, most people rarely clean their attics and lofts during the winter so the spring offers an ideal opportunity to scour it and let some fresh air in.
Even if you don’t use your attic that often, it’s still advisable to do an inspection after the winter season has passed to make sure there is no structural damage, developing mold, pests, ants, or other unwanted visitors.
In today’s post, we outline key steps to clean up your attic space and create a healthier environment, whether it serves as a useful storage space, occasional lounging area, or a kids’ playroom.
How do you deep clean an attic?
While it’s recommended to declutter and sanitize your attic 2 or 3 times per year, you should definitely give it a thorough deep clean at least once a year, preferably as part of your spring cleaning routine. If you live in a high-humidity or high-rainfall area, you should inspect your attic every 2 months for signs of water damage, developing mold, or the presence of pests.
Here’s a list of 5 crucial steps needed to ensure that your attic or loft is neat and tidy:
1. Start with basic preparation
Before you crack the attic open, you need to make sure that you have the tools to deal with possible surprises that are waiting behind the door. Do you have all the necessary cleaning equipment and supplies to do the job? Make sure you have the necessities such as a face mask, gloves, broom, trash bags, mop and bucket, sponges, microfiber cloths, and a scrub brush. Remember, if you don’t have a natural source of light or a light bulb in the attic, you’ll need to have a flashlight or a work light close at hand.
2. Take everything out
Once you’ve gathered all the supplies, it’s time to get your hands dirty and take out as much stuff as you can. It would be best if you could take everything out because it will not only allow you to tackle every corner but also provide valuable insight into the state of your possessions and the space itself. As you keep removing the items, you’ll get a chance to decide which ones you need and wish to keep and which ones are just a waste of space and you need to discard.
3. Clean & scrub
Now that everything’s out your way, you can proceed with proper sanitization. Start by sweeping up the floor and dusting various surfaces. After that, vacuum the flooring, making sure to address all those hard-to-reach corners where the deposits of dust and dirt are hiding out of sight. To top it off, use a sponge, scrub brush, and microfiber cloth to tackle different areas of your attic space and leave everything shiny and clean.
4. Do an in-depth inspection
With all the stuff out and the place spick-and-span, it’s time for an inspection. Walk through your attic and pay close attention to your roof truss, ventilation, and insulation to make sure there are no visible signs of damage. Inspect the area for symptoms of water damage, dampness, mold, and mildew. It’s also smart to look for traces that may indicate the presence of pests such as mice or insects.
5. Pest-proofing & repair
If your attic inspection finds some issues, now’s the time to address them. Pest-proof your attic by sealing any openings or holes that may serve as an entry point for various insects and pests. If you need to call professionals to take care of the mold, repair your insulation, or restore your roofing, you should deal with those problems before you bring back your belongings and furniture.
Once you’ve taken these 5 steps, you should be left with a sanitary and decluttered attic that is free of intruders and mess. On the other hand, if all this seems like too much work for you or you’re struggling to find time for cleaning, turn to proven pros and they’ll help you sanitize your attic with minimum inconvenience. Remember, if you haven’t used your attic that much before, now’s a wonderful opportunity to reconsider how you can revamp the space and put it to good use.
