Almost a quarter of North East residents have never cleaned their washing machine, shocking new data from AEG has revealed. While many households will use their washing machine between eight and ten times each week, a number of them have never de-gunked their appliance - and failing to do so can have horrific consequences.
AEG say: "Cleaning a washing machine is vital for keeping the appliance fresh & dirt-free," but data collected by the firm revealed that two thirds of Britons don't clean theirs often enough. While a device in good knick can blast the toughest stains away, an unkempt washer can make your clothes come out in an even worse state - not to mention the unpleasant smell that clings to them that even the best fabric softener wont mask.
Almost two-thirds of Brits (60%) fail to clean their washing machine as often as they should. The AEG research highlighted that 15 per cent clean their machine every two months, while 18 per cent stretch this further to bi-annually. A further 6 per cent also only clean their machine one a year.
- Read more: Appliance expert shares three easy ways to remove damaging limescale from washing machines
But shockingly, 21% of the country admitted to never cleaning their trusty washing machine at all. A whopping 22 per cent of North East residents said that they had never cleaned the appliance, compared to the 8 per cent of our Northwestern counterparts.
And sending the alarm bells ringing further, a substantial 48 per cent of North East residents said they don't even know how to clean their washing machine - making up a massive chunk of the 32% of Brits overall who are left scratching their heads at the practice.
Thankfully AEG experts have some top tips on cleaning the trusted appliance. Michael Forbes from the firm, said: "Alongside running a maintenance wash monthly, every couple of months, you should remove the detergent drawer and give it a proper clean with warm soapy water. Don’t forget to clean the area inside the machine where the drawer slides into.
"Top tip: due to the wet environment and detergents used, you may notice mould growth in the detergent drawer. Opening the drawer slightly after every use can help prevent this. The drum and door seals should also be cleaned every two months, wiping it down with a damp cloth, taking care to get in to the seal especially at the bottom of the door.
"The machine filter should also be removed and thoroughly rinsed to remove any collected debris. Top tip: Make sure to place any towels down to catch excess water."
You can find AEG's full findings here.
The best news is that cleaning your machine doesn't have to be an expensive task either, with a number of cleaning buffs recommending the likes of soda crystals, lemon juice or white vinegar mixed with baking soda. All of which can be picked up for a relatively cheap price at your local Tesco, Asda, Morrisons or Sainsbury's.
If your washing machine is past the point of return, or you're simply looking to upgrade - then a number of retailers have savvy savings on top brands. We've listed some of the cheapest ones we can find on the market right now below.
- CHiQ CFL80-14586IM3XBWU, Freestanding Washing Machine - £249 from Amazon
- Bush WMT0712EW 7KG 1200 Spin Washing Machine - £199 from Argos
- Hotpoint NSWM845CBSUKN - £299.98 from Hotpoint
- 6000 PROSENSE - £449.99 from AEG
- BEKO RecycledTub WTK84011W - £249 from Currys
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