Attic Cleanouts: How to Safely Clear the Clutter

August 25, 2020

When was the last time you went up into your attic? How many times have you even gone into your attic in the past year? If you have to think about it, then it’s probably time for an attic cleanout. This is because your attic is prime real estate for all sorts of useful purposes. It can be used for storage, sure, but there are even more creative things you can do with your attic you may have never considered. With a little planning, you can transform your attic into a separate office, loft apartment, walk-in closet, or a private man cave.


Next to the basement, the attic may be Count Junkula’s favorite room in the house. That’s why the Count recognizes the importance of an attic cleanout. Below outlines what you need to know about attic cleanouts to safely get rid of the junk living above your head.

Determine Which Kind of Attic You Have

There is a good chance that your attic is accessed in one of two ways. These are usually a traditional fold-out ladder that pulls out of the ceiling, or what’s called a “scuttle” attic. A scuttle is the term for when you don’t have a proper door into your attic. Instead, you probably see a cut-out pane in your ceiling. You may have wondered how you’re even supposed to get up there, and luckily, we're here to tell you that the lid that goes over this pane is removable! If you have a scuttle, then you’re going to need a steady ladder to access your attic. If you have an attic door, just pull down the ladder! 

Look Out for Bats!

Count Junkula is just bats about bats. Sadly, the same can’t be said for other people. If you have some bats in your belfry, or your attic, it’s important to have them safely and humanely removed. Bats are incredibly helpful creatures, and you could be hurting one of Count Junkula’s cousins!

Make a List of Supplies and Keep Them Handy

We’re big fans of the five “P’s.” By this, we mean that “prior preparation prevents poor performance.” It’s self-explanatory, but it’s important to have a plan before you start your attic cleanout. You’re not going to need a ton of supplies to clean out your attic, but there are a few items that will definitely help things along, including:

Work clothes. As with any home cleanout, you’re going to want to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Your attic is full of dust, cobwebs, and other fun decorations that are great for vampires, but not so much for humans.

Work gloves. These aren’t a necessity, but like your work clothes, it pays to have a pair of gloves when performing a cleanout. There’s a lot of dirt and grime on things stored in your attic, not to mention the potential for splinters or nails.

Broom/shop vacuum. You’re also going to want a broom for sweeping, and possibly a shop vac to pick up any extra dust that may have accumulated. Consider vacuuming before you sweep, so you’re not just kicking up dust with your broom.

Flashlights/work lanterns. These will depend on how much light you actually get in your attic. If you have windows or ample natural light, then this step isn’t necessary. If you don’t have a window or lights, a work lamp or a few flashlights will help a lot.

Water bottle. One thing you may notice during your attic cleanout, especially if you’re doing this in the summer, is that your attic can get hot. And we mean hot! A combination of heat rising, poor ventilation, and poor insulation can quickly turn your attic into an oven. This means it may be a good idea to keep a water bottle or something to keep you cool if you plan on spending a lot of time in your attic during warmer months.

Other Tips for Attic Cleanouts

Keep up and down trips to a minimum. Once you have your gear together, it’s a good idea to keep it all with you up in the attic. Climbing up and down from the attic is a pain. You also don’t need to make the trek up and down a wobbly ladder every time you need something like a drink of water.

Move boxes and more from your attic. Before you try to dust or sweep, you need to get all of those boxes out of the attic. If it’s been a while since you visited, there’s a good chance these boxes are covered in dust, dirt, and other fun detritus. We recommend that you move your boxes and separate them into two piles: one for things you’ll keep and one for junk. This will help a lot when it’s time to put things back.

Dust and sweep. You’ve cleared out the boxes. Now it’s time to dust and sweep. If you brought up the shop vac as we suggested, we recommend using that first and then sweeping up anything left over. With a little elbow grease, you can even turn your shop vac into a DIY dust collector! After you’ve vacuumed everything you can, give your attic a once-over with the broom to pick up anything you may have missed.

Survey the insulation. While you’re up there, it’s not a bad idea to give your insulation a good look. Your insulation in your attic does more than help regulate the temperature of your home. Attic insulation also has a big impact on your energy bill.

Look for leaks. You should also keep an eye out for leaks while you’re in your attic. Unless you’re performing your attic cleanout while it’s raining, you may not catch your leak in the act. However, there are still some tell-tale signs a leak needs to be addressed. Look for any extra moisture or water that may have collected in your attic. You should also inspect for mold or mildew that may result from excess moisture, humidity, or a leak.

Call Count Junkula to Pick Up Your Attic Junk

Now that your attic is completely cleaned out, it’s time to get rid of all that junk! That last thing you want to do is schlep all that stuff back up a rickety ladder. However, your local garbage pickup may not take a lot of your attic junk. That’s when it’s time to call Count Junkula.


Count Junkula loves junk even more than he loves attics! Your attic cleanout has never been easier than when you call the Count. Rent a dumpster and toss all your unwanted attic junk away at your own pace. Once you’re done, all you have to do is call Count Junkula to pick it up!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is an attic cleanout?

    An attic cleanout is the process of uncluttering, organizing, and removing unwanted items from your attic space. This includes both hazardous materials like old paint cans, insulation, and asbestos as well as general clutter such as cardboard boxes, storage containers, and other debris.

  • Why should I have an attic cleanout?

    An attic cleanout is essential for ensuring the health and safety of your home. A cluttered and disorganized attic can harbor pests, create fire hazards, reduce air quality and even lead to structural damage if left unchecked. Regular cleanouts help you keep your space well-maintained and free of hazards.

  • How often should my attic be cleaned out?

    The frequency of your attic cleanouts will depend on how much clutter is accumulating and how often you use the space. If you’re regularly bringing items into your attic, it’s a good idea to schedule regular cleanouts throughout the year.

  • How can Count Junkula help with my attic cleanout?

    Count Junkula can handle all of your attic cleanout needs from start to finish. Our experienced technicians will assess the situation, remove unwanted items and help you organize remaining materials. 

  • What kind of items can be eliminated during an attic cleanout?

    Count Junkula can help with the removal of anything from your attic regardless of its size! 

  • What happens to the items removed during attic cleanouts?

    All of the items removed from your home during an attic cleanout are disposed of in accordance with applicable local regulations and laws. We recycle or donate items whenever possible, but will also dispose of them if necessary. 

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