One in seven women admits binning their man¿s old clothes without telling him (while they have 16 items they never wear) Survey finds 11 per cent of women say a clothes clear out is better than sex British Heart Foundation survey is aimed at encouraging clothes donations 33 per cent hang onto clothes because they remind them of a better time But a quarter of Brits have been prompted into a clear out after a break-up Hoarders: Women typically harbour 16 items of clothing the never wear, a survey has found Women typically harbour 16 items of clothing they never wear - yet throw out their partner's clothes without telling them, according to research. One in seven women (14 per cent) admits going behind her man's back to clear out clothes she thinks do not suit him. The survey by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), which is encouraging people to take unwanted items into its shops, found that a third of Britons feel 'relieved' following a clear-out, while 11 per cent of women say it is "better than sex'. Some 38 per cent of people say they keep things they will never use again because they remind them of their childhood. However, the enthusiasm to clear out unwanted items does have a tendency to backfire. More than a quarter of Brits - 28 per cent - have had to go through the rubbish to find something they've thrown away. And the study reveals 17 per cent have rued accidentally getting rid of something valuable. The BHF was keen to investigate what makes us keep some unused items and not others. It also found that a third of us (33 per cent) hang on to things that remind us of a better time but are prompted to have a clear out after a break-up (25per cent). Not only does the end of a relationship herald a fresh start, it can also mean losing half your wardrobe to a vengeful ex. One in seven women (15 per cent) confess to angrily throwing out a former partner's clothes. And, conjuring up images of snipped suits, eight per cent of Brits have destroyed their ex's clothes or belongings in a fit of pique. Charity: The British Heart Foundation conducted the survey in a bid to encourage more clothes donations The study of 2,000 adults shows we are an emotional bunch when it comes to what we keep as well. Nearly half of us (45 per cent) cling onto items which have outlived their usefulness because "they have sentimental value. Old, unused items we hang onto* Old photo frames and photos (67 per cent) Clothes that no longer fit (46 per cent) CD collection from our youth (40 per cent) Unused gifts (36 per cent) A favourite teddy (30 per cent) Last season's clothes (24 per cent) Children's clothes (18 per cent) Wedding dress (17 per cent) A lava lamp (12 per cent) Little black dress (10 per cent) Percentage of people who hang onto the items A nervous six per cent even keep something they will never use in fear that the person who gave it to them will visit and want to see it. Proving spring really is the season for a new start, 75 per cent agree it is when they would be most likely to have a clear out. Mike Taylor, BHF Retail Director, said: 'Spring is the natural time to start thinking about having a clear out and getting rid of unwanted items. Our research reveals nearly a third of people (32 per cent) feel liberated after having a clear out and that it feels even better than going to the gym. 'We would encourage everybody to start thinking about having a spring clear out - if you haven't used something for over a year it's time to give it up. Donations are the life blood of BHF Shops and last year raised 31 million pounds in the fight against heart disease. The research found women are not alone in hoarding unworn clothes and shoes with men typically having 11 items. But just six per cent have been courageous enough to get rid of clothes they do not feel suit their partner.