[Aces4]

Originally Posted by bark4me

I'm not sure how paper would do in the attic in a plastic container. I would put those in cardboard boxes to allow them to breath. Plastic might hold moisture in. We keep all seasonal decorations up there with no issues. We also added a solar attic fan over the attic space.

DO NOT PUT CARDBOARD IN THE ATTIC OR YOUR GARAGE AREA…. cockroaches love it and it’s an invitation for infestation.

[Carla B]

Ours is a "working" attic to which I've never ventured, not being sure-footed. When we moved here husband installed sheets of plywood out to the eaves to maximize floor area and proceeded to move stuff up there. He built regular wood/laminated shelving in all the closets and relocated the wire shelves to the attic, to store paper towels, toilet paper, etc.

Everything has survived intact after 14 years except for a couple Xmas candles.

[dtennent]

We redid our master bedroom closets so that there is now a shelf above our clothes. We use this space for our suitcases. As we travel extensively, we have both carry ons and larger suitcases. Also, consider getting some storage cabinets for your garage if possible. I would hold onto the car until you have your new car in your driveway. As of last May, it was a 6 week wait for a new car to be delivered. Welcome to The Villages!

[bluecenturian]

We store all the items you have listed in our attic area without any major problems. I would recommend getting humidifier packs/powder to put in the storage containers to keep out moisture and smell.

You can’t put soft plastics or wax in the space as they will melt.

[HRDave]

Originally Posted by skippy05

The heat combined with the UV rays will destroy anything you put in the attic. Do what everyone else does. Park your car in the driveway and use the garage as storage.

Heat yes. Ultra Violet Radiation (light) No.
UV cannot penetrate the roof. The attic is safe from UV.

[Jerry Leinsing]

The plastic wheels on your luggage will break apart like there’s too much heat. Shouldn’t store cardboard in the attic because of bugs. Anything that has rubber or simulated rubber handles will get very sticky I need to be cleaned off with whatever does it paint thinner alcohol etc. Attic is fully insulated above the garage, with foil on the slanted part of the roof rafters, with two solar fans and it’s still hot as hell. Things that have wooden metal probably small store fine up there. Plastic candles delicate stuff may be damaged. Choose wisely what you decide to bring down.

[Notsure]

We store Christmas lights and decorations in the attic as long as they are glass or ceramic or hard plastic…no Christmas Tree in attic….no cloth items, expensive ornaments (paint will chip over time), music boxes, paper items. We also store outdoor blow ups in the attic. We keep luggage in the house, as well as indoor Christmas wreaths and the artificial tree. Anything cloth or paper in garage or attic will get musty smell. Use plastic bins.

[Djean1981]

We downsized- so, nothing in the attic. At the last house we put stuff in the attic and never saw it again for 15 years.

[biker59]

I've been informed that the glue used to hold cardboard boxes together gives off a scent that attracts all sorts of bugs, they'll enter the attic through the eaves or vents. Avoid cardboard. We stored our cardboard boxes on the floor of the closet in one of the spare rooms, put plastic storage containers in the garage. We decided not to use the attic at all, too tough to access and unsure of what would keep properly.

[Debset]

If a friend offers their attic storage for you to use, DON'T!! You just might never get it back. My items did not contain candles!! The boxes just walked down the attic stairs by themselves??

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by kp11364

I'm currently "up north" , and while I'm cleaning out my attic for my TV move, I'd just like to get some recommended rules of thumb from you for what CAN be stored in the attic. My attic never gets boiling hot in the summer, but that's not going to be the case in Florida.

So I'm wondering about the location (if space is available) "closet", "garage" or "attic" for the following:

• Luggage with plastic wheels (hard plastic or canvas suitcases)
• Christmas ornaments (wood, glass, plastic)
• Extra knicknacks (glass, wood)
• Papers (e.g. CC statements, old legal docs, tax returns)

I'm also guessing that cardboard boxes for storage are not recommended either? Rubbermaid or plastic file boxes are okay?

Many thanks in advance,

Kevin

The wheels melted off my luggage stored in attic.

[VApeople]

All we have stored over our garage is some large plastic boxes we used when we moved and our medium sized Christmas tree.

[Greentee]

I’m willing to bet that most of what you now have in the attic you won’t need in FL. Better to have an attic sale in your driveway and save on the cost of shipping stuff to TV. At least that way you will end up in the black.

[Retiring]

I find myself using the attic quite a bit. I have the majic stairs and versa lift. I don’t carry anything up the stairs, put it on the lift and package goes to the attic with the touch of a button. I then go up a comfortable stair with handrails. In a nutshell the majic/versa lift combo have given me a “second” floor. When I need to bring something to the attic I sometimes catch myself saying “this goes upstairs.” That is what the stairs has given me, an “upstairs.” During the homes construction I did add extra lighting in the attic. When I turn on the lights the attic is very bright. As to the OP, I too am curious if there are dangerous items to keep out of the attic. Other than the obvious, fuel, aerosols, etc.

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by Djean1981

We downsized- so, nothing in the attic. At the last house we put stuff in the attic and never saw it again for 15 years.

I will be moving to TV in three weeks when my new house closes. I am I the process of down sizing now in preparation of my move. I have lots of stuff in my attic that I too have not looked at in over a decade - it’s all going to Goodwill or trash - I’m over “storing” stuff that just sits and never gets looked at or used.