How to Clean the Attic


Many newer homes today don’t have the kind of attic spaces as the homes our grandparents or great-grandparents had. Maybe you're thinking of making your attic space into a bedroom? Cool!


If you have a home with an attic, and you know you have to get up there and clean, why not clean with the intention of making a little money too?

While you’re cleaning, think about the stuff laying around you don’t want. Wouldn’t you like to make some extra money off your old junk?

I would! And if you’re like me and like to make an extra buck or two, here are some ideas for you to make some easy cash!

Cleaning out the Attic

We’ve all been to that place where we have been in need of a little extra cash. Having a garage sale is one such place to bring in the cash.

Have a Garage Sale

While you’re cleaning the attic, take a look with a critical eye as you go at what you might be able to contribute to a garage sale. Your attic could very well contain a treasure trove of old junk, but it could also hold some valuable treasures as well.

If you’re willing to put in a little elbow grease and time, you could very well make some good money with some of the stuff you find. You might find old clothes, jewelry, furnishings, and old pictures.

Price things you want gone cheap and watch as people take your unwanted junk with them. It’s that easy; like they say, one person’s trash is another ones treasure.

Having a garage sale is one of the most effective ways to clean out your house and attic - and you’re making some fast cash at the same time.

Clothes

Many people that have attics will find it full of clothes. There might be vintage clothes in there from your past family member and you might store the close you don’t wear anymore in there. If there are no reasons for you to hang on to them, why not make some cash.

Most communities have second hand stores where you can bring lightly used clothes that will pay you cash for your unwanted clothes. These types of stores will evaluate what you bring in, then based on brand, style, and condition, they will make you an offer on the spot – and pay you cash!

Some second hand clothes stores are also looking for vintage clothes to buy. If you can’t find a store to buy your older clothing items and they didn’t sell at your garage sale, try to sell them online on EBay or Craigslist. There are actually many people looking for vintage clothes that will buy them from you.

Jewelry

Almost everybody knows there are stores where you can take your gold and silver and make some quick cash. Maybe you found some old pieces while cleaning out the attic that aren’t your style - why not sell them? Save the jewelry that does hold special value to you.

Here is some jewelry cleaning methods to get your finds clean before bringing them in to sell.

Cleaning Silver

To remove tarnish, combine the ingredients below:

  • 2 teaspoons liquid dish washing soap
  • 1 teaspoon household ammonia
  • 1/4 cup of water

Completely mix ingredients together. Use a cotton swab to dip and gently scrub until the silver tarnish has been removed.

Buff with a soft cloth to shine.

Hard to Remove Tarnish

If the tarnish is hard to remove, you can let your silver jewelry soak for 30 minutes. Rinse the piece immediately after soaking then buff.

Cleaning Gold

If the gold jewelry you find is dirty and in need of cleaning, give it a bath.

In a small bowl, add a few drops of mild liquid dish soap to warm water. Swish around with your fingers to mix.

Set the jewelry in the bowl and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes then rinse under cool water.

If the jewelry shows signs of dirt particles that didn’t come off, hold it in the mixture and use an old soft toothbrush and lightly clean.

Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth and polish to a nice shine.

Electronics

Did you know you can find gold in old electronics? You can. There are plenty of videos online that show you how to take apart old computers, VCR’s and other electronics, to extract the precious metals from them.

You might have to take apart a few of them to make some real money, but in the end, you have that extra cash you’re looking for.

Sports Memorabilia

Maybe your Uncle Bob or your Mom’s cousin Fred collected sports cards. One of them just might be a diamond in the ruff. There are some old sports cards that are collectible - and if they are in good condition - can be very valuable.

Locate a store in your neighborhood that can take a look at them. Have someone evaluate the worth and maybe at the same time send you in the right direction for selling them.

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