Who doesn’t love attics? They’re super spacious and out of the way, making them the ultimate storage solution. However, they often end up full of things we don’t use but aren’t ready to let go of—at least, not yet. Over time, this space can turn into a cluttered mess packed with long-forgotten junk we don’t actually need. To help you with your clear-out, let’s take a look at a few things commonly stored in attics that are better off in the trash.
Old Magazines and Newspapers
Are you really ever going to flip through that old magazine from decades ago? Hanging onto stacks of old magazines and newspapers may feel harmless enough, but they often serve no purpose once you store them away. Unless they hold significant sentimental or historical value, recycling them is the smarter choice.
Broken Furniture
It’s not uncommon for a wobbly chair or cracked table to find its way to the attic with the promise of being fixed someday. And yet, years later, it’s still up there, gathering dust and taking up valuable room. If you haven’t repaired it by now, chances are you never will, so it’s best to either let it go or repurpose it for parts.
Outdated Electronics
I know old TVs and VCRs might feel nostalgic, but they’re usually unusable and never touched again. Technology changes so quickly that many of these gadgets have no practical use today. So, instead of letting them collect dust, consider selling anything that may be valuable and recycling anything that isn’t through an electronics recycling program.
Holiday Decorations You Never Use
If you seem to buy more and more holiday decorations each year despite having a heap of old ones sitting around in your attic, you’re not alone. It’s easy to let holiday decorations pile up year after year, but if you find yourself never using certain ones, it might be time to downsize.
It’s best to sort through them and keep only what you love and actually use to make decorating for the holidays easier and more enjoyable.
Old Clothes and Linens
You might think that the attic is the perfect place for boxes of old clothes, curtains, or bed sheets, but most of these things won’t ever see the light of day again. If you haven’t needed them in years, it’s a likely sign they’re not worth keeping around any longer. You can donate wearable clothes to charity and simply throw out any items that are worn out.
Baby Gear from Decades Ago
Cribs and baby toys from years past might feel sentimental, but they often don’t meet today’s safety standards. It’s understandable if you’re holding onto these for emotional reasons, but you can still keep one or two meaningful pieces and donate or discard the rest.
Unfinished Craft Projects
Remember that old craft project that you never got finished? It might have been sitting around in your attics for years. If you’ve lost interest in your half-done scrapbooks, sewing kits, or painting supplies, it’s okay to let them go.
These unfinished tasks can take up valuable space and mental energy, so donating them to someone who will use them can feel like a big sigh of relief.
Board Games with Missing Pieces
Old board games aren’t so fun anymore when they’re full of broken or missing pieces. Missing cards, lost tokens, or damaged boxes can make them practically unplayable. If you’ve been holding onto a game like this for nostalgic reasons but haven’t played it in years, it’s probably time to say goodbye.
Old Books No One Reads
It can feel wasteful to throw away stacks of old books, even if they’ve been sitting forgotten in attics and gathering dust for years. But if you’re not using them, you can always donate them to libraries, schools, or secondhand shops to make sure they find a new home where they’ll be appreciated.
VHS Tapes and Cassette Tapes
For many, VHS tapes and cassettes can bring back fond memories, but sadly, most people no longer have the equipment to play them. Over time, the magnetic tape inside degrades, making them even less useful. If they hold sentimental value, consider digitizing them to preserve the memories.
Broken or Outdated Toys
Every parent knows how hard it can be to part with old childhood toys, but many are broken, missing pieces, or not even safe to use anymore. If you’ve been holding onto them for nostalgic reasons, try keeping a few that have the most meaning and letting go of the rest.
Old Mattresses
If your attic has become the final resting place for old mattresses, you’re not alone. But the thing is, they’re really not worth keeping anymore if you know you’ll probably never use them again. Over time, they collect dust, allergens, and even mold, making them unhygienic and unsuitable for reuse.
The good news is that many areas now offer mattress recycling programs, so you can say goodbye to them in an eco-friendly way.
Unused Sporting Equipment
Those dusty tennis rackets and rusty old bikes aren’t going to get used any time soon. Unused sporting equipment is another common attic find that’s rarely worth holding onto. If these items haven’t been touched in years, chances are they’re no longer needed and you’re better off donating what’s usable and discarding what isn’t.
Outdated Luggage
Even if it’s old and outdated, it’s easy to feel like a suitcase could come in handy someday. But if they’re bulky, worn out, and you no longer use them, they’re just wasting space. Gently used luggage can be donated, while broken or outdated items can be recycled or discarded.
Plastic Bins Full of Mystery Items
This might sound like a fun one at a glance, but in reality, we’re just talking about those plastic bins filled with random stuff you don’t even remember storing. While there might be some hidden treasures in there, these bins typically hold a lot of things you no longer need or want.
We recommend taking the time to go through them and throwing out anything you really don’t need in your life.
Broken Appliances
Small appliances like fans, blenders, or microwaves often get shoved into attics when they stop working. While you might’ve stored them away with real intentions to repair them, most will stay untouched for years. If you’re not going to fix them, recycle these items responsibly and clear out the clutter.
Water-Damaged Boxes
As you may have found out the hard way, attics are prone to extreme temperature changes and occasional leaks, which can ruin anything you’ve stored there for a long time. Even worse, water-damaged boxes, clothing, or paper goods often harbor mold and mildew, which can create some gnarly health risks. If this sounds familiar, you should get rid of these things immediately to prevent further damage and keep your attic safe and clean.