The attic is one of the most forgotten spaces in the house, often turning into a catch-all for things we don’t want to deal with. Over the years, it becomes a graveyard of outdated furniture, broken decorations, old clothes, and long-forgotten memorabilia. But the truth is, most of what’s up there is just collecting dust—not value.
If your attic is overflowing with boxes of “someday” items, it’s time to clear out the clutter and reclaim your space. Here are 12 things in your attic that you should throw away today!
Faded or Damaged Books
Old books stored in attics often end up warped, moldy, or full of silverfish, thanks to humidity and extreme temperature changes. If your attic contains boxes of books that are unreadable or falling apart, it’s time to let them go.
Donate good-condition books to libraries or schools, but if they’re falling apart, moldy, or water-damaged, it’s best to recycle them. Books don’t belong in an attic—they deserve to be read and enjoyed!
Old, Broken Holiday Decorations
Attics are the go-to storage spot for Christmas lights, Halloween decorations, and old ornaments, but how many of them are actually usable? Burned-out string lights, broken ornaments, and faded inflatables take up precious spacewithout serving any purpose.
Go through your holiday bins and toss anything that’s broken, missing parts, or outdated. If it’s still in good shape but no longer fits your style, donate it. Keeping only the decorations you truly love and use makes holiday decorating much easier.
Outdated Electronics and Old Cords
If your attic has become a graveyard for old TVs, VCRs, cassette players, and outdated gaming consoles, it’s time to let them go. These gadgets won’t be making a comeback, and they take up valuable space while collecting dust.
Unless it’s a valuable collectible, take those old electronics to an e-waste recycling center. The same goes for boxes of tangled cords, old chargers, and obsolete accessories—you don’t need 15 different power cables for devices you no longer own!
Boxes of Unused Canning Jars
Mason jars are useful, but if your attic is filled with boxes of empty canning jars that you never use, they’re just wasting space. Over time, they get dusty, grimy, and brittle, making them less safe for actual canning.
If you haven’t touched them in years, keep only a few and donate the rest. Many community gardens, homesteaders, and craft groups will happily take them off your hands.
Old Mattresses and Pillows
Attics often become the final resting place for old mattresses and pillows, but storing them up there doesn’t make them any more useful. Over time, mattresses absorb dust, allergens, and moisture, making them a breeding ground for bacteria and pests.
If your attic is holding onto mattresses that nobody in your household will ever use, it’s time to let them go. If they’re still in good condition, donate them to a shelter—otherwise, schedule a bulk trash pickup or find a mattress recycling center near you.
Broken Furniture
Many people store damaged chairs, wobbly tables, or scratched dressers in the attic, hoping to fix them someday. But if those pieces have been sitting untouched for years, they’re just taking up space you could use for something better.
Be honest with yourself—are you actually going to repair that wobbly chair or the dresser missing a drawer? If the answer is no, donate it, sell it, or dispose of it to free up space.
Old Suitcases and Travel Bags
If your attic is full of old, heavy luggage from the ’90s that nobody in your family uses anymore, it’s time to clear them out. Modern suitcases are lighter, more practical, and easier to store, making old, bulky luggage obsolete.
Check if any of your stored travel bags are ripped, broken, or missing wheels—if they are, toss them. If they’re still in good shape but you never use them, consider donating them to foster care organizations, where kids in transition often need suitcases.
Tax Returns and Paperwork from Over a Decade Ago
If your attic is packed with boxes of old bills, tax documents, and paperwork from 20 years ago, chances are you don’t need most of it anymore. The IRS recommends keeping tax documents for seven years, but anything older than that is probably unnecessary.
Go through your storage boxes and shred outdated financial documents. For important paperwork, digitize and store them safely online to reduce clutter while still keeping records accessible.
Wedding Dresses and Formalwear No One Will Ever Wear Again
Many people store their wedding dress or fancy suits in the attic, thinking they’ll be used again. But hot, humid attic conditions aren’t ideal for storing delicate fabrics, and many dresses become yellowed, brittle, or damaged over time.
If your old wedding dress or formalwear is just collecting dust, consider donating it to an organization that repurposes dresses for charity events or prom donations. Keeping something for sentimental reasons is fine, but if you never plan to use it again, why let it waste space?
Unused Home Decor and Wall Art
If your attic is full of outdated lamps, ugly wall art, or random home decor you once liked but don’t anymore, it’s just taking up space for no reason.
If you haven’t displayed a piece of decor in years, you probably won’t ever use it again. Keep what you truly love and donate or sell the rest. A decluttered attic means less junk to sort through when redecorating.
Old Baby Gear
Parents often store strollers, cribs, car seats, and baby swings in the attic, thinking they’ll use them for future children or grandkids. But safety standards change, and many old baby items aren’t considered safe anymore.
If your attic is full of baby gear from years ago, check recall lists and donate or dispose of anything outdated. Holding onto sentimental baby clothes or a favorite blanket is fine—but if the gear is too old to be used safely, it’s time to let it go.
Random Boxes of “Someday” Stuff
The biggest attic clutter culprit? Boxes full of random things labeled “someday” or “miscellaneous.” If you don’t even know what’s inside, chances are you don’t need it.
Go through your mystery boxes and be ruthless about what stays and what goes. If you forgot you had it, you probably won’t miss it when it’s gone. A clutter-free attic means less stress and more usable storage space.
