1. ANYTHING EDIBLE
There are several food storage tricks to extend the life of your groceries, and leaving food exposed to sunlight is not one of them. In fact, storing food on or near a windowsill, such as fruit in a basket, is one of the main causes of premature ripening and rotting – which, before you know it, means flies in the house.
2. CLEANING PRODUCTS
Hugo Guerrero, a certified house cleaning technician suggests that cleaning products, including common items like dish soap, should also be kept away from windowsills – even if it is a convenient spot.
‘Cleaning supplies should not be stored on windowsills because they can be exposed to temperature and humidity fluctuations, which can affect their quality and effectiveness,’ he says. ‘For example, cleaning supplies may lose their potency, making them far less effective at cleaning and killing bacteria.’
3. SHOWER GELS AND BODY PRODUCTS
When organizing a bathroom, a common storage mistake professional organizer Michelle Garb, founder of Free Your Space Now, sees is clients leaving shower products on a windowsill.
4. AEROSOLS AND FLAMMABLES
Even if a windowsill seems like a harmless storage spot, storing the wrong items such as aerosol cans and lighters can quickly increase the chance of a house fire. Aerosol cans are highly pressurized, and quickly combust or explode when heated even a little bit by the sun, warns Gretchen Boyd, cleaning expert and president at NYC House Cleaners.
imilarly, matches and lighters left in direct sunlight can become tinder dry and ignite in particularly hot windows, adds Jeniffer Smith, homemaker, organizer, and member of Urban Home Corner. ‘These should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. An organized kitchen drawer or cupboard can be a good option,’ she suggests.
5. ANYTHING FRAGILE
You likely wouldn't store fragile items on the edge of living room shelving, so why would you risk leaving them on a thin windowsill? Not only are they at risk of being knocked off, but they can be easily damaged by changing temperatures and sunlight.
6. PERFUME AND MAKEUP
Organizing makeup usually takes up a lot of space, and it may be tempting to leave some laying out on a bathroom windowsill when you use it every day. Doing this, however, will quickly degrade its quality and cost you more over time than investing in proper makeup organizers, as sunlight can melt products and ruin their texture, says Paulo Filho, owner of Celestial Cleaning Service.
7. ITEMS WITH A REFLECTIVE SURFACE
The power of a mirror should never be underestimated. While they look pretty and are incredibly practical, they have the power to direct sunlight and even make it more intense. The result is a very plausible fire hazard.
8. CANDLES
While the best candles can quickly spruce up a windowsill and fill empty space, leaving them there in summer can cause them to melt, wasting the wax and thinning the fragrance. ‘Candles can even ignite in direct sunlight, posing a fire hazard,’ continues Jeniffer Smith, homemaker and organizer. They should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. A cupboard or drawer is a good option when they are not in use, or a bedside table or side table otherwise.’
9. BOOKS
The best book storage, particularly in the kitchen, keeps books easy to access at all times, and window sills can offer this – especially one close to a stove or clear countertop. However, like precious ornaments, books can fade in sunlight making them look tatty quickly.
10. MEDICATIONS
Given that medicines are one of many surprising things to get rid of from a medicine cabinet, you may think a window sill is an easy alternative. However, this spot is usually even worse for making sure your medications remain usable and effective.
11. EXCESS CLUTTER THAT MAKES IT HARD TO CLEAN
One of the most under-utilized cleaning tips is planning your home decor to make it easier to keep clean and tidy in the first place.
12. ELECTRONICS
While you are less likely to store electronics on window sills, leaving them in sunny spots for any period of time is strongly discouraged by experts like Hugo Guerrero, a house cleaning technician, to prevent them from overheating and damaging the battery life.