Washing machines are best known for keeping our clothes clean and smelling nice and fresh but it's easy to forget how important it is to keep the machine itself clean as well.
One expert has urged people not to ignore the pesky chore as failing to clean your washing machine could result in a build up of mould and dirt. This is far from a perfectly clean environment to wash your clothes.
Nasty particles could end up getting into the drum of the machine when washing clothes and this is the last thing you want for your clothes to get them clean.
To ensure people are aware of the importance of washing your machines, Lara Brittain, a kitchen expert at Currys, has shared helpful tips for all of us to follow.
Lara told The Express: "Please don't take your hard working appliance for granted. Give it a little TLC now and again, and you'll get years of great service in return."
The expert went onto explain that a maintenance wash for your machine is the best way to rid it of the nasty particles and bacteria.
To do a good maintenance wash, firstly add a cleaning solution to the machine and pop it on a cotton cycle.
From here, set the machine to the hottest cycle and start the washer. Then, when the cycle has finished, pull back the seal and wipe away any debris or water.
Lara added: "This will stop any sludge or black spots of mould building up inside your door seal, and it'll also stop any nasty smells.
"Perhaps most importantly, it helps increase the life of your washing machine. If you've run out of washing machine cleaning solution, you can make your own. Use two cups of white vinegar, half a cup of water, and a quarter cup of bicarbonate of soda. Mix well before using it."
She also says it is crucial to give the detergent drawer a good clean after every wash and you can do so by soaking it in hot and soapy water and give it all a little brush to get any debris out of it.
She explains that the next step is to give the all important filter a clean which should be done every four to six weeks.
This one is nice and easy to clean as all you need to is take it out of the machine, put towels down for any water that spills out, and soak it in hot water then just pop it back into place.
To clean the drum, she advises that soda crystals could be your best bet as they are known for getting rid of nasty smells and stains.
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