Your washing machine is responsible for cleaning your clothes and keeping them smelling fresh, but have you ever considered that the appliance might need a clean itself?
Our guess is probably not. But think about it: just like any other household appliance - be it your fridge, oven or microwave - washing machines can build up dirt and bacteria after years of use, which can ultimately affect their performance.
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Lauren Clark, AO.com's large appliance trading director, told Pretty52: "A service wash is essential for deep cleaning your washing machine to get rid of the dirt, mould and bacteria that will have built up in the drum and pipes."
This essential hack is easy: Lauren recommends "selecting the longest and hottest cycle on your appliance with either normal detergent, a cup of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar or use a limescale and grease remover on an empty wash," adding you should do this once a month.
Not only will this method prolong the life of your machine, ultimately saving you hundreds of pounds when you don't have to replace it early, but making sure it runs efficiently will save energy.
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There's also some surface maintenance you can do such as cleaning the detergent drawer to prevent build-up and cleaning behind the rubber gaskets to remove fluff which can stop your machine from running properly.
So there you have it: maintaining your appliances is actually so important for their general lifespan, and means you can wait longer you have to replace it.
Friendly on the pocket and the environment? What are you waiting for?
Featured Image Credit: Unsplash/ Averie Woodard