Any part of the house can be used for storage, and the attic is no exception. Smaller attics that cannot be living spaces, could be turned into storage units. It also largely depends on the accessibility of your attic. With that in mind, how do you store your luggage effectively in the attic? We've researched, and found some curious methods of how to go about it.
Finished and unfinished attics can have moisture levels that spoil things kept in them. Accessing your attic might be another challenge you might encounter. Therefore, to protect and access stuff that you have stored in the attic, do the following:
- Ensure the attic is accessible for heavy suitcases
- Organize the layout for storage
- Add a dehumidifier or use desiccant bags
- Use sturdy plastic storage boxes with fitting lids
- Use non-biodegradable plastic bags vacuum sealed
- Hang your luggage on hooks
- Put carrier bags in large suitcases
Storage, luggage, access, and attics, seem a lot to consider. But read on as we explain why you need all of the above.
Storing Luggage In The Attic
Holiday gear, decorations, and old furniture always seem to find their way into the attic. Luggage might find its way there too! But before you dump every other suitcase you own, you will have to take some steps.
Not only ghosts and mythical creatures lurk in the attic, but also moisture, impossible ladders, low ceilings, and sticking out nails. So, before you start using the attic as storage, you'll need to:
Make The Attic Accessible
A steep ladder is not the ideal route with a heavy suitcase. Before you start scaling the attic ladder with your luggage, make the attic accessible. If necessary, change the attic ladder to a much wider or stable one.
The attic access door is another hurdle to consider. The size of the attic door might be too small for some suitcases or luggage. You could make it wider or forget about large luggage going into the attic.
Organize The Attic
Now that you are finally in the attic, access its condition. Clean and dust the area and seal any windows or peepholes. Look out for any nails that might be sticking out.
Take out any unnecessary items in the attic. At this point, you can put shelves, racks, and hooks that you can use in storage. Organize your attic according to its size.
Dehumidify The Attic
You can have a dehumidifier working in the attic intended for luggage storage. If your attic has a socket, connect the humidifier. It's the key to proper air circulation.
Otherwise, you can also purchase a large quantity of desiccant bags to dehumidify the space. Place the desiccant bags can in the luggage as well. They come in different sizes and are readily available.
Have a look at these desiccant bags on Amazon
Use Sturdy Plastic Boxes
Plastic boxes are the best because moisture will not seep through when covered with snug-fitting lids. Small bags and cases can fit in standard size plastic boxes.
Ensure that the plastic boxes you choose are for storage and transportation. Such boxes or containers are readily available in home improvement stores.
Have a look at these storage boxes on Amazon
Use Vacuum Sealed Bags
You can use generic plastic and wrap the luggage before removing excess air using a vacuum cleaner.
Alternatively, you can use non-biodegradable plastic bags meant for packing. They have a valve that lets out all excess air in the bag.
Getting rid of excess makes it impossible for any mold or mildew to thrive.
Have a look at these vacuum-sealed bags on Amazon
Hang Luggage On Hooks
If your attic has no space for plastic boxes or shelves, you can hang your luggage on hooks. The luggage can be in vacuum-sealed plastic bags and hung from hooks.
Place the hooks strategically to allow proper air circulation around the luggage.
Luggage Into Luggage
Carrier bags are often smaller than suitcases. They are sometimes made of cloth and need to be kept dust-free. You can put them into bigger cases and wrap the cases with plastic vacuum bags.
This also helps save valuable space in the attic and use it to the maximum.
Observe Safety Measures
You should be careful when moving around an attic with limited space. You can easily hit yourself on the low roof. Ensure that you don't lift heavy bags.
Seek help to carry them up steep attics ladders without help. Look out for sticking out nails or screws during the renovation or upgrade of your attic.
Can You Store Luggage In A Hot Attic?
Yes, you can! Hot attics are preferable to damp, musty attics and basements. Unlike attics, basements and garages can flood easily.
What you should not have in your luggage are photos and anything wooden. Too much heat will destroy photos and any wooden momentos. It applies to any other non-heat-resistant items.
What Not To Store In Your Attic
In a quest to store everything out of sight until you need it, not everything is suitable to store in your attic. The following will not survive storage in a hot attic.
Linen, Wool, or Silk
Pricey woolen sweaters, silk scarves, or nice linen shirts shouldn't be in your luggage in the attic. Moth love these materials! Ensure they are safe by storing them in vacuum-sealed plastic bags. After that, put them in a suitcase.
Documents
The attic seems to be a safe place for your documents, but the temperature fluctuations will cause them to deteriorate quickly.
Dust mites can be another menace. It's safe to keep your documents in a safe somewhere in the home or a home office.
Wooden Furniture and Instruments
Wooden musical instruments and furniture can warp due to excessive heat. Thus, your beloved violins and rocking chairs shouldn't be kept in hot attics. The ideal place to store wooden things is a room with a properly regulated temperature.
Candles
You can buy candles in bulk when they are on sale. But storing the candles in a hot attic is not a good idea. The only thing you'll finally get is hot melted wax!
The best place to store your candles will be in kitchen cabinets or drawers.
Paint
Leftover paint should not be kept in an overheated attic. Keep paints in a cool place such as the garage. Temperature fluctuations can tamper with the quality of the paint, too!
You cannot keep nail polish and hair chemicals in the attic either. They could leak and spoil your luggage. Ensure that you pack them separately and store them in a cool place in the house.
Photographs
Like documents, old photographs will not survive the heat fluctuations in the attic. Old photographs and film need a regulated temperature to stay preserved.
You can use archival paper boxes and PVC sleeves for the photographs. Then stick them in a bedroom closet. Here the temperatures stay cool because of proper air circulation.
Best Storage Containers For The Attic
You can use different containers to store your items in the attic. Hot attics are not conducive to a lot of things. However, you can still use the attic for storage by using suitable containers.
Dust mites and moths will not penetrate:
- Plastic containers
- Plastic bags
- Glass containers
- Ceramic jars
However, wrap large items in old newspapers or magazines to keep dust away. Paper will cushion items and shield them from cracking or breaking.
In Closing
Before you store any luggage in your attic, ensure that you can easily access your attic. Use plastic boxes or non-biodegradable bags to keep dust mites, moths, mold, and mildew at bay.
Desiccant bags or a humidifier will reduce any moisture in the attic for better and longer storage. Using your attic as storage space will help you free up more living space in your home!
