IF you have an attic, chances are you also use it as storage for items you don't use too often, such as Christmas decorations and dozens of cardboard boxes.
But while it frees up the space in your house, an expert has revealed that not only is it dangerous but the temperature fluctuations can also ruin some of your belongings.
Joyce French, cleaning expert at HomeHow, outlined the seven things you should never store in the attic.
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.
However, while they might seem harmless, placing them in the attic actually poses a lot of danger.
''Old electronics can still overheat in the attic,'' Joyce explained.
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''The circuitry can blow and ruin your item forever,'' she added.
In order to avoid this from happening, it's best recommended you keep beloved electronics in a cooler environment downstairs and take the older gadgets to a recycling centre or even auction them online.
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IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
When it coms to finding the perfect home for important documents, the attic is the worst, as it often gets humid.
''Delicate items just don’t hold up with temperature fluctuations, and your important documents will begin to fade, get damp, dusty or stick together as time goes on.
Instead, the expert suggested, invest in a storage drawer unit and bring it downstairs.
FOOD AND WINE
While some associate attic with piles of documents and carboard boxes, others use the space for storing food and wine.
During summer and the warmer months, your loft can reach extremely high temperatures – and the lack of ventilation doesn't help either.
This, in turn, can cook your canned goods.
''As well as this, unsuitable warm temperatures can spoil expensive wines.''
Joyce added: ''Pests such as mice and rats thrive in a humid attic environment, and can also contaminate and chew through food items.
''Instead, store perishables and wine in a cool, dry place so they are safe for consumption after a long term.''
PAINT
For many, the new year has started with home renovation projects, which often leave us with leftover paint cans.
But, according to the expert, oil-based paints can be hazardous as they heat up in the warmer temperatures.
''They are highly flammable, so should be kept in a temperature-controlled spot, like a spare cabinet,'' she recommended.
''The dramatic temperature fluctuations can break down latex paint too, making it unusable.''
WOODEN FURNITURE
Despite being a classic, wooden furniture is not everyone's cup of tea.
For those who don't know what to do with the newly-gifted antique chair, Joyce requested one thing – do not put this in the attic.
''Wood is a precious material – it can warp in the damp, crack in the heat, and grow mould in humid conditions.
''Wood also tends to attract woodworm, which can eat away at wood furniture.'
If you already know you won't use it, find someone else who will – donate, sell or gift it.
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.
But if you were about to climb to the attic to store them away, you might want to rethink that.
''Delicate fabrics, items that are painted, and special plastic ornaments may warp in the heat and are prone to damage in a humid environment, like the attic,'' said the cleaning expert.
''Instead, store holiday decorations in a large plastic container box in a cool environment, such as the garage.''
CARBOARD BOXES
Amongst all its residents, carboard boxes are the most common guests in the attic.
But, Joyce insisted, it's time to reconsider that, as pests like mice and bugs are attracted to cardboard and glue.
This, in turn, will become their home for breeding.
''Cardboard boxes also tend to become damp and disintegrate over time, potentially damaging the precious items inside,'' she added.
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