There are few things more satisfying than decluttering your home.
We all want to keep things neat and tidy, and many of us make full use of our available storage space to box up and store items we're not currently using, from old toys and clothes to important documents.
The garage is a popular choice to keep things safely packed away out of sight, as is the loft, or attic.
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But while stashing our stuff up there may be convenient, an expert has warned that keeping items in the attic may damage them - or worse.
Joyce French, a cleaning expert at HomeHow, said that keeping some items there could ruin them forever and even pose a risk to your safety
From bottles of wine to old Christmas decorations - here are the seven things you should never keep in the loft.
Cardboard boxes
This one might surprise a few people - after all, where else are cardboard boxes meant to go?
But if you're using them to store some things in your attic, it may be time to reconsider, with Joyce warning that they can become a breeding ground for pests.
Mice and bugs are attracted to cardboard and glue, and will feed off it and make it the boxes their home.
These boxes also tend to become damp and can disintegrate over time, which could damage the precious items inside them.
Electronics
Whether it's an old cassette player or a Sega Megadrive, we all have beloved electronics that we just can't let go of.
However, in a warm loft, electronic can easily overheat, and the circuitry may blow and ruin your item forever.
Instead, it's better to keep these sort of items in a cooler environment downstairs - or, if you can bear to part with them, you can take them to a recycling centre or sell them online.
Holiday decorations
Every January, many of us make the same journey up into the loft to stow away the holiday decorations for another year.
But you may be in for a nasty surprise when December rolls around again if you keep your baubles and tinsel in the attic.
It's possible for delicate fabrics, painted items, and some plastic ornaments to warp in the heat, while a humid environment, like the loft, may cause them further damage.
Instead, Joyce recommends that decorations are kept in a large plastic container box in a cool environment, such as the garage.
Wooden furniture
If you've inherited an old wooden table or some chairs, but don't want to get rid of them, maybe think twice about storing them in the loft.
Wood can warp in the damp, crack in the heat, and even grow mould in particularly humid conditions.
Woodworms are another thing to consider - if you keep it in the loft, you may return to find your table is missing half a leg!
Paint
You may not be able to find a use for any leftover paint you have from doing up the bathroom - but keeping it in the loft could damage it forever and pose a major risk to your safety.
The sharp temperature fluctuations that can occur in the loft can break down latex paint, making it unusable, while oil-based paints are even more of a no-go for the attic, according to Joyce.
These paints are highly flammable and can heat up to hazardous, combustible levels if stored in a hot roofspace. Instead, they should be kept in an area with a controlled temperature, like a spare cabinet.
Important documents
Many of us keep important documents in the loft. After all, it's handy to have everything - from birth certificates to passports and old bank statements - stored together in one place.
However, you may want to reconsider storing them in the attic if you're planning on reading them again.
Old papers do not mix well with temperature fluctuations, and could begin to fade, get damp, dusty or stick together as time goes on.
It's safer to buy a filing cabinet and keep important documents in a room with a controlled temperature, such as a bedroom or a study.
Food and wine
There a number of reasons why you shouldn't keep food or drink in the attic.
Some loft spaces can get so hot in the summer months that canned goods will actually start to cook inside the tin - so if you're planning to stockpile baked beans, look for another place to store them.
The warm temperatures can also spoil expensive wines, while mice and rats thrive in a humid attic environment, and can also contaminate and chew through food items.
Instead, Joyce says perishables and bottles of wine should be stored in a cool, dry place so that they will stay safe for consumption even after a long time in storage.
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