My attic is full of stuff. Insulating?

[Randomword6]

My attic is full of cuddly toys, old bedding, books, clothing etc. Yes, it does lurk about at the back of my mind all the time and I am always thinking I should sort it all out. No, it doesn't spark joy Marie Condo, since you ask. But I also think, does this at least have the merit of being insulating? None of it would be of use to anyone, having worked in a charity shop I know what sells and what is just a pain for them to receive. My question is should I leave it until I get the time and money to insulate, or just leave it full stop?

Unless it is laid out in an even layer over the whole floor of the attic with no gaps then it probably isn't doing much in the way of insulating the house. Good thick Loft insulation makes a huge difference to warmth and with the stupid energy costs it is definitely worth looking into if you can spare any money.

No it won’t be insulating probably just absorbing damp and staring to smell unless well sealed!

personally I’d start getting rid whilst you save for insulation

If you're worried that you'll have to throw it away because charity shops won't be able to sell the stuff, bear in mind that animal shelters may want old bedding (check first). We also have a local free bookswap. There's generally somewhere that can use old stuff, if you spend some time researching.

No it will be in no way insulting @Randomword6

My loft has no insulation either. It is also full of stuff. I do believe it is insulating. I wouldn't know how to go about getting the loft insulated really and all the stuff would have to come out of it first

@MidnightConstellation if you took 2 mins out of your day to look up how insulation worked and how it is installed you would soon realise that the “stuff” in your attic has absolutely no insulating ability whatsoever.

Over the years I've been buying the same size (or sizes that stack) of really useful boxes for the loft. There's no way that a heap of plastic boxes has an insulating effect.

What's your stuff stored in up there?

My stuff is in cloth bags and plastic bags. I think it will make some difference.

It will not be providing any significant insulation even in cloth bags.

Insulting a loft is usually straightforward for a competent DIYer and not expensive. There is no VAT on insulation products and it is the best value thing you can do for home in terms of £ spent and energy saved.

In some cases you may also qualify from a grant if on low income, in receipt of certain benefits or from certain councils:
www.gov.uk/government/collections/find-energy-grants-for-you-home-help-to-heat

You do need to do it correctly and follow instructions - for example the foam rolls must not be compressed otherwise they are less effective so you need to leave some space above insulation if you are then boarding the floor.

The worst bit is getting everything out. But it has to happen one day - either you do it or it is done when you die. Leaving things there because you can't donate them to charity only delays the moment they get thrown out.

Well we have just cleared my Dad’s attic and it was full of random crap. And a couple of rolls of insulation that he’d never used as there was too much crap there. House is just as cold now as it was when it was full of stuff.

It's not insulating. You need proper insulation.

I would get rid of it but too much stuff makes me anxious. You might even find treasure!

An attic full of rubbish is a disaster waiting. It won't insulate, but will get damp, block air circulation, attrack rodent, and hide from view any possible leaks/rot/mould. We recently insulated a 650 square feet attic by rolling out sheepwool in less then a day. It's very straightforward, and if you don't have a period house, insulation material is even cheaper. Just don't get someone in to spray foam your loft, that's criminal damage.