I know a hot attic is not good for fabric or photos. But what about Sterling flatware, sterling serving pieces, books, (lots of them), wood furniture, cane furniture, art work? Anyone with some helpful storage tips? Dos & don'ts?
Wood furniture not good if hot attic; don't know about cane, but would think it would dry it out and ruin it - NO ART WORK. Don't know about sterling pieces.
Christmas decorations seem to do fine up there, but other than that I'd suggest things that you'll never use again but that are still too good or new to throw away yet would be the best candidates for the attic.
You could do sheets, towels, linens, drapes - IF you enclose them in those bags that you vacuum seal, so bugs don't get into them. Dishes are fine, figurines, luggage, and as GC said, Christmas decorations. If there is a fan in the attic, that might help too.
I believe the enemy in an attic is the heat. Even paper has a moisture content and when exposed to heat for a long period of time, it becomes brittle and deterioriates I agree with Vickie.
I wouldn't put anything in the attic that I would never want to lose. I put framed art under beds. Totally out of sight and safe for another day.
Right, attic storage is so hot. I have a attic now but don't use it because I have basement storage. In our other house I had no basement so I did put some out of season clothes up there - unsecured. Old income tax information and like they said just junk. I did not put books, guns, candles etc. there. Storage is one reason I quit buying books and got rid of the ones I had. They tend to get brittle pages and smell musty and I never read them again. There are a few exceptions. My daughter stored her Santa collection in her attic and they detorated, so she brought them all down and has them stored in closets.
Kitty, I realize you are just looking for short-term storage pending your next move but I made a rule at our house 20 years ago -- nothing in the attic. Sooner or later we all get to the point where it is hazardous to climb into an attic so if nothing is stored there, problem solved. Looks like pots and pans is about all that might be safe.
Thanks all! So, after reading, I am just going to put pots/pans, utensils that have been in storage for 2 years anyhow. Muffin pans, well, let's see, when did I last bake muffins? Well, you never know. Casserole dishes & that kind of stuff. I'm bringing my silver back down. Was thinking that "concrete" they use as a filler on some may get destroyed. I had planned to put lots of books up there, but not now, I'll heed your advice. I'm taking 2 large bookcases, just didn't see the point of packing & repacking, but I love my books.
The attic is not dangerous. It's not a pull down type, it has about 10 carpeted stairs leading to the attic door. Easy access. Fortunately, downstairs there is a storage room, very large, which I get to use. It is right next to "my room." Completely empty. So now I know where to direct the movers. Really appreciate the advice.
I wonder what all that stuff is SHE has up there. It's the biggest attic I've ever seen.
I learned a long time ago NOT to put any of my daughter's dolls I wanted to keep in the attic. I think the heat and cold did something to the composition of thier bodies and made their eyes look cloudy. Unfixable, poor things. My youngest's collection of American Dolls, Jenny Dolls and all thier accessories, I have stashed in an empty chest of drawers in a guest bedroom. I would NEVER store any of my art in an attic.
How long will you be using that storage space? If it is only for 6 months or so, or even less, the books should do fine as long as the attic is dry. I woudn't put wood up there because it is going to dry out in the heat. If you plan on storing things for more than 6 months, plan on getting a new storage shed.
Actually, it's no joke.....I had some wonderful Christmas candles once that I treasured. I just made a mistake and being packed up with all my other Christmas paraphenalia, I DID stuff them in the attic. So, I do stupid stuff. Nope, I didn't give it a thought until the next year. What a mess. And a disappointment.