It is not recommended to store Christmas decorations in the attic because the high temperatures and humidity in attics can cause damage to them. Is it OK to store Christmas lights in the attic? Yes, it is perfectly fine to store Christmas lights in the attic.
Can I store my outdoor lights in the attic?
Your lights will fare better if they're stored in moderate temperatures. The searing temperatures common in attics during the summer are not conducive to long-lived light sets.
Where do you store plastic tubs for Christmas lights?
For many homeowners, storing the plastic tubs in the attic is quite convenient. Unfortunately, though, that's not a great location for Christmas light longevity. Your lights will fare better if they're stored in moderate temperatures.
Should you store your Christmas decorations in the attic this year?
Your holidays might just be a lot less merry this year if you've been storing your decorations in the attic. " Holiday decorations can be damaged by the extreme heat in attics," says Santoro.
How should I store my Christmas lights for next season?
Simply follow the tips and practices below will help to assure that your Christmas lights are stored properly and safely for next season. LED lights are extremely durable. But that doesn't mean that they'll hold up to lots of rough treatment during storage. Plastic storage tubs make ideal containers for your lights.
Is it OK to store Christmas decorations in the attic?
"Holiday decorations can be damaged by the extreme heat in attics," says Santoro. "Delicate fabrics and items that are painted are particularly prone to damage when stored in the attic," and plastic decorations, like ornaments, may melt or warp in the heat.
Where should Christmas lights be stored?
Hanging Christmas Light Storage When you're nearing the end of the string, wrap the end around the notch on the other side or around the neck of the hangar, then loosely tie or loop it through to secure. Hang in a closet if you have space. or place them in labeled bins separated by cardboard, newspaper or bubble wrap.
Is it better to store Christmas decorations in attic or basement?
These spots may seem like the perfect storage areas for everything, but that's not the case. Storing items in your attic is far more preferable than storing them in the basement or garage where they may get wet from flooding and are exposed to the elements. Use the attic to store anything that is impervious to heat.
How do you store outdoor Christmas lights?
To store Christmas lights, wrap them around a piece of cardboard and then wrap tissue paper around the lights to protect them. You can also try wrapping the lights around the outside of a coat hanger and hanging them up somewhere convenient for storage.
Does cold weather affect Christmas lights?
Weather changes and severe winter temperatures can cause cracks in the protective coating and in the light sockets. Once these wires are exposed, they can be dangerous to you, your family, and your home, as they can potentially cause sparks or even a fire.
How do you store outdoor string lights?
Roll out a length of plastic sheet equal to that of the strand lights and cut the plastic sheet from the roll. Place the strand on top of the plastic sheet and roll the plastic sheet and strand lights together. This will keep the icicle strands from tangling and bundle everything neatly inside a sheet of plastic.
What should not be stored in an attic?
10 Items You Should Never Store In The AtticPaints, cleaning products, or other toxins. ... Anything that is highly flammable. ... Delicate holiday decorations. ... Art is never good to store in the attic. ... Leather products. ... Cardboard boxes. ... Musical instruments. ... Anything wool (or made from natural fibers)More items...•
What items can be stored in an attic?
Things You Can Store in an AtticSeasonal Decorations and Goods. Assortment of Christmas ornaments. ... Household Items. Assortment of camping gear next to tent. ... Off-Season or Outgrown Clothing. Young woman packing out of season clothes in suitcase. ... Books and Toys. Woman packing boxes of books.
Is it safe to put cardboard boxes in the attic?
Don't Trust Your Treasures to the Attic Space All too often these items are stored in cardboard boxes, which not only burn faster, but also attract insects such as termites or silverfish.
Can Christmas lights be stored in the garage?
If your lights are wet when you take them down, spread them out in a dry place - your garage floor, perhaps - and allow them to dry thoroughly before storing them away in plastic tubs placed in a dry and mild climate.
How do you store Christmas tree lights?
How to Store Christmas LightsUse a coat hanger. Simple and effective, using a coat hanger will help to keep your lights tangle free and easy to unravel. ... Use wrapping paper tubes. ... Christmas tree light reels. ... A cardboard box.
How do you store LED lights?
After wrapping the lights around the outside, I store the cord on the inside of the can for safe keeping. For the shorter lengths, I use an empty TP or paper towel roll. Again, just wrap the lights around the roll then put the roll and the battery box in a zip top bag for safe keeping.
Can Christmas lights be stored in the garage?
If your lights are wet when you take them down, spread them out in a dry place - your garage floor, perhaps - and allow them to dry thoroughly before storing them away in plastic tubs placed in a dry and mild climate.
Should Christmas lights be stored inside?
Lights should also be stored in sealed plastic storage containers. Over the summer months, pests can be attracted to the wiring in Christmas lights so storing them in containers goes a long way towards keeping them protected. Also, never store your lights in an attic space.
How do you store Christmas tree lights?
How to Store Christmas LightsUse a coat hanger. Simple and effective, using a coat hanger will help to keep your lights tangle free and easy to unravel. ... Use wrapping paper tubes. ... Christmas tree light reels. ... A cardboard box.
Can I store Christmas lights in a shed?
Free up your in-home living space by storing seasonal decorations in a backyard shed. From your artificial tree to boxes filled with ornaments, garland, and lights, a storage building can keep everything dry, safe, and protected.
How to stop light lines from tangled?
As you take down each of your light lines, just fold each line bulb-to-bulb (you'll have bulbs at each end of the resulting bundle, with a smooth cord middle), and then snug a rubber band across the middle of the bundle. Doing so is fast and easy, and will absolutely assure the end of tangles.
How to track light lines?
A great method for tracking the age of light lines is to use an assortment of multi-colored zip ties for color-coding age. Just assign a color to each year, and attach a zip tie of the appropriate color at the end of each line purchased in a given year.
What to use to find specific light sets?
Using clear plastic containers will also help in easily finding and identifying specific light sets when preparing to install your lighting next season.
Can LED lights be stored in plastic?
LED lights are extremely durable. But that doesn't mean that they'll hold up to lots of rough treatment during storage. Plastic storage tubs make ideal containers for your lights. The containers are light and easy to handle, they're compact and stackable, and they'll keep your lights well protected.
Do Christmas lights tangle?
Just like a strand of string or a length of rope, Christmas light lines love to tangle. And few things will blunt the joy of a new holiday season quicker than having to spend hours on end just untangling a Gordian knot of light line.
Is it normal to have melancholia after Christmas?
Even though a little post-Christmas melancholia is normal, it can't dull the wonderful and precious memories that this holiday season generated, memories that you'll enjoy for the rest of your life. And before you know it, spring and summer will have zoomed by with lightning speed, and that most wonderful time of the year will again be upon us.
Can you store Christmas lights in the attic?
For many homeowners, storing the plastic tubs in the attic is quite convenient. Unfortunately, though, that's not a great location for Christmas light longevity. Your lights will fare better if they're stored in moderate temperatures. The searing temperatures common in attics during the summer are not conducive to long-lived light sets.
How hot can an attic be without air conditioning?
According to agricultural engineer B.R. Stewart, attics without air conditioning can reach up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot day.
Why are cardboard boxes in my attic?
Those cardboard boxes stacked up in your attic could become a veritable buffet for mice and bugs if you're not careful. "Pests are attracted to the cardboard and to the glue used in construction of the box," says Santoro. "Boxes also break down and disintegrate, which will attract pests even more."
How hot should a fire extinguisher be stored?
According to fire safety company Kidde, storing one in a space hotter than 120 degrees Fahrenheit can reduce the lifespan of a fire extinguisher—and may even shorten the discharge time.
Why does paint dry out in the attic?
Both heat and cold can change the consistency of paint. And, if the can isn't tightly sealed, high temperatures may cause it to dry out quickly.
What is the best environment for batteries?
According to Duracell, the prime environment for batteries is somewhere dry and room temperature. At high temperatures, like the ones you might find in your attic, batteries can rapidly lose power or may even start leaking, potentially setting you up for a chemical burn.
Can you stash candles in the attic?
That emergency stash of candles you've been keeping on hand for blackouts won't do you much good if you stash them in your attic. The above-average temperatures in an unfinished attic during the summer could leave you with a melted mess of wax instead.
Can you store flammable chemicals in the attic?
"Flammable or hazardous items should not be stored in the attic with extreme temperatures… These items can cause a fire within your home ," says professional organizer Susan Santoro, founder of organizing website Organized31, who notes that chemicals can also leak when they're not stored in climate-controlled spaces. And if you want to keep that space pristine, check out these 13 Brilliant Ways to Declutter Your Attic, According to Experts.
ELECTRONICS
Amongst the most popular items found in the attic are electronics - from old cassette players to vintage radios - your loft is bound to have at least a few of these.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
When it coms to finding the perfect home for important documents, the attic is the worst, as it often gets humid.
FOOD AND WINE
While some associate attic with piles of documents and carboard boxes, others use the space for storing food and wine.
PAINT
For many, the new year has started with home renovation projects, which often leave us with leftover paint cans.
WOODEN FURNITURE
Despite being a classic, wooden furniture is not everyone's cup of tea.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
Our favourite time of the year - Christmas - is long over and it's finally time we took down the baubles and fairy lights.
CARBOARD BOXES
Amongst all its residents, carboard boxes are the most common guests in the attic.
Why is my attic getting colder?
However, if you’re experiencing colder drafts in your attic, it may be because you have some air leaks. Air leaks can also affect that energy bill!
What is the best place to store stuff?
Attics are a pretty common place to store all of your stuff. Between holiday decorations, out-of-season clothing, and even a few boxes of memorabilia, it’s the prime free storage space for your home. However, it’s also standing in the way of one crucial benefit that houses in colder climates may want: Making the house warmer.
Is it bad to use the attic as storage?
To be completely honest, using the attic as storage space isn’t a bad practice. In fact, with a space as roomy as the attic (and not as wet as a basement) it makes perfect sense to use that space. However, for those who are in colder climates, it may be time to reconsider.
Can you cut your heating bill by insulating your attic?
Yes, it’s true. You can cut your heating bills by properly insulating your attic —including the floor. This means less of the house that will need to be heated, which means less heating used altogether. Except for losing the storage space, it sounds like an easy win-win.
Is it better to have a properly insulated house?
Now, this doesn’t just apply to people living in warmer climates. Having a properly insulated house is beneficial for keeping your house warmer, but also cooler in hotter climates.
What to store in closet in May?
There's no need, however, to use precious closet space in May on your holiday tree or fall centerpiece. Kitchen supplies: Store pots and pans you rarely use but need to hold on to, like a heavy-duty roasting pan. Also store items such as ceramics, plates, and dish sets for entertaining, unless you frequently entertain.
How to store things in basement?
In the basement, store everything in clear plastic bins, labeled and not packed too heavily. Make sure you can lift the boxes easily; if they happen to tumble over, they shouldn't be heavy enough to hurt anyone. If possible, try to store your items up off the ground to protect them in case the basement does flood.
Can you lift a box that tumbles over?
Make sure you can lift the boxes easily; if they happen to tumble over, they shouldn't be heavy enough to hurt anyone. If possible, try to store your items up off the ground to protect them in case the basement does flood.
Can you store old photos in the basement?
For those reasons, don't store anything in the basement that can fall victim to the elements. Photographs: If you take the time to store old photos correctly, you can safely store photos in either of these spaces. If not, they could be ruined.
