We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

It's a handy storage space, but not for everything!

Much like the garage, your attic is a perfect storage black hole — things often get put up there, never-to-return. But if you've spend years packing bits and bobs in the space above your house without much thought, you might want to reconsider.

Most attic spaces are subject to extremes of temperature and fluctuating humidity, which make them an unsuitable place to store certain things. And no one wants to attract pests into their home!

It's time to pull down the ladder and have a dig around at what's up there. Here's our list of things you shouldn't store in your attic.

Have you inherited antique wooden furniture but it's not quite your style? The attic might seem like perfect place for it, but it definitely isn't!

The fluctuating humidity and changes in temperature can cause the wood to expand and crack. If you need advice about storing or restoring antique wood furniture The British Antique Furniture Restorers Association is a good starting point.

If your kids can’t bear to part with their favourite stuffed animals when they’ve outgrown them, it’s not unheard of to stash them in the attic (unless Toy Story has put you off the idea...)

However, be aware that damp, as well as mice, dust mites and other critters will ruin them given half a chance. So if you do keep them in the attic, store them in airtight plastic containers, not black bin bags.

Moths, carpet beetles and nesting birds love dark and undisturbed places. They also love feasting on and nesting in carpets and rugs.

Check the attic for old birds’ or wasps’ nests, which are the ideal breeding ground for larvae. No other option? Get your rug/carpet professionally cleaned first, then spray with moth repellent and bag up in heavy-duty polythene before storing.

Always ensure carpets and rugs are well dried before storing to avoid the growth of mould and mildew. For delicate and antique rugs read this helpful advice on carpet and rug care from the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Think about how hot it gets in the attic in summer months. Your candles won't stand a chance up there! Store candles inside the house to avoid them melting into waxy blobs in the attic.

VCRs, TVs, smartphones, laptops and games consoles - any delicate electronics - shouldn’t be kept where there are big fluctuations in temperature and high humidity levels such as an attic. Moisture can easily collect inside and damage them. If you no longer need them, consider selling on eBay instead of storing.

You might not have had the occasion to wear a ballgown in a while, and many women hang on to their wedding dress long after the big day. But these garments are all better stored in a wardrobe or under-bed drawers.

The greatest risks for delicate clothing are light (both artificial and ultraviolet) dirt, damp, moths and excessive heat. Vintage and delicate clothing needs to breathe, so storing in plastic is not recommended. Delicate clothing should be stored flat, wrapped in tissue and placed in boxes. Buffered acid-free paper should be used for cotton and linens. Use unbuffered acid-free paper for silks and woollens.

Total Wardrobe Care has a range of storage solutions and anti-moth devices, including moth traps.

For long-term storage, find a space that is dry and dark with a cool, even temperature and good air circulation. This should not be a basement or attic – ideally a cupboard in the living area of your house, and not one on an outside wall.

GHI Tip: Unpack vintage items at least once a year to air them and make sure they don’t get permanent creases.

A leather jacket is a classic fashion staple, so it makes sense to hold onto yours. But don’t store it in the attic — the extremes of hot and cold could ruin it, leaving it smelling musty and sad.

Your recent memories may all be in digital format but how sad would it be if old family or wedding albums, slides or negatives got damaged from exposure to excessive heat and cold? Remember, wherever you do store them, it needs to be away from direct sunlight so they don’t fade. For very old photographs The National Archives provide information on how best to store and preserve these treasured memories.

If you are a bookworm, it’s an insect called silverfish that you need to worry about. They love to nibble on starchy substances, such as wallpaper or the glue in book bindings - and they are often found in attics. Books stored in the attic can also get damp and if they do, mould and mildew can grow and cause damage.

If you have papers that need to be preserved, like tax return information and birth/marriage certificates, don’t shove them in the attic. These things should ideally be stored in a fireproof safe or filing cabinet in the house itself.