A POORLY maintained washing machine has to work harder and may cost more to run.

These easy tips will perk up your appliance and may prevent pricey repairs.

A poorly maintained washing machine has to work harder and may cost more to run

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A poorly maintained washing machine has to work harder and may cost more to runCredit: Getty

FIDDLE WITH THE FILTER: Check the washing machine filter to make sure trapped fluff, loose coins or odd socks aren’t stopping it working correctly.

Make sure the machine is off. Then, put a shallow tray just under the filter opening.

Twist the handle or unclip to take the filter out. Let the water flow into the tray. Pull out anything causing a block.

GERM BUSTER: Vinegar has hundreds of uses around the home and one of them is cleaning your washing machine drum and seal, where bacteria love to hide.

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Put some white vinegar on a cloth and wipe along the seal. Then pour 500ml of the vinegar into the empty drum. Run a hot wash at 90°C or higher.

Find more washing machine tips in the advice section at AO.com.

HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW: Pet and human hair can spell trouble for washing machines. Get a helping hand to keep it clean with Vamoosh pet hair dissolver, £4, or Vamoosh washing machine cleaner, £3.50, from Wilko.

DIRTY DRAWERS: A quick wash of your detergent drawer will banish germs and nasty smells. Pull out the drawer and soak it in a bowl of hot water with washing-up liquid.

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Then, wipe out the drawer slot with a wet cloth. You can use an old toothbrush for hard-to-reach corners.

Go back to the drawer itself and wipe off any mould or soap scum on the inside and outside. Rinse and return to machine.

THE WHITE STUFF: Using the correct amount of your normal detergent for the size of your wash and the hardness of your water should help prevent limescale. For extra help, an anti-limescale product, such as Tesco limescale prevention gel, 1l, £4.40, should work.

  • All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

DEAL OF DAY

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Bounce into spring on a 12ft Superpower kids trampolineCredit: SUPPLIED

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CHEAP TREAT

This 350g jar of Nutella is down from £3.15 to £2 at Sainsbury’s

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This 350g jar of Nutella is down from £3.15 to £2 at Sainsbury’sCredit: SUPPLIED

GO nuts for Nutella, with a 350g jar down from £3.15 to £2 at Sainsbury’s.

SAVE: £1.15

WHAT’S NEW?

TUCK into a free KFC six-piece Original Recipe chicken bucket. It’s available on your first delivery order via the KFC app when you spend at least £10.

TOP SWAP

Put your bedside bits and pieces on and in this Ikea Hemnes for £85

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Put your bedside bits and pieces on and in this Ikea Hemnes for £85Credit: SUPPLIED
Or save £45 with B&M’s Oslo unit

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Or save £45 with B&M’s Oslo unitCredit: SUPPLIED

PUT your bedside bits and pieces on and in this Ikea Hemnes two-drawer table, £85, or go for B&M’s Oslo unit, £40.

SAVE: £45

LEAH’S LITTLE HELPER

THE Lemon Sherbet cleaning range is reduced by ten per cent this month at myfabulosa.co.uk.

It takes multipurpose disinfectant spray down from £1 to 90p.

SHOP & SAVE

Show your skin some love with Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow day cream

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Show your skin some love with Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow day creamCredit: SUPPLIED

SHOW your skin some love with Nivea Q10 Energy Healthy Glow day cream, down from £13.99 to £6.99 at Boots.

SAVE: £7

HOT RIGHT NOW

THERE are kids-eat-free deals this half-term. M&S cafes and Bill’s restaurants are among places offering this.

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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk

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