Not only does Spring mean that warmer weather is on the horizon, but for others, it often suggests that it's time for that much-needed spring clean.
With the cost of living crisis showing no sign of loosening its grip on our finances, and the Energy Bill Support Scheme payments coming to an end, people are seeking more efficient ways to save money where they can.
Fortunately, there are a variety of ways people can cut unnecessary expenses in their own homes - and it all starts with a good clean.
According to an expert, tackling your household appliances in nine simple steps with cleaning products can help boost their efficiency and in some cases reduce their running costs.
Cleaning expert Mira Yordanova of TopCleaningGB shared tips on how to best minimise the cost of using household appliances by cleaning items, and the whole process will only cost you £8.67 to do.
Washing Machine
Several factors can influence the running cost of your washing machine - from EPC rating, which cycle you use, and the size of your drum. But keeping your machine clean of dirt is a simple method to ensure costs stay at a minimum.
The household appliance is prone to building up scum and limescale, which can impact the machine's effectiveness in washing and drying clothes. However, people can use the simple remedy of white vinegar and baking soda in the drum and dispensers.
The expert advises that you spray white vinegar all around the inside of the drum, making sure to include the rubber door seal too.
You should then pour 500ml of white vinegar into the detergent drawer and set It to a standard hot wash. Add around 60-70 grams of baking soda into the drum and run through again.
Cost to clean: £0.88
Kettle
Expert Mira advises people to only use the water they need in their kettle. This is an effective way of keeping excess limescale at bay and allowing your kettle to boil smoothly.
A simple homemade remedy includes filling the kettle with a 50:50 mixture of white vinegar and water. You should then boil the kettle and pour the contents away afterward.
Refill the kettle with only water and boil again, to remove any remaining vinegar.
On the other hand, a more intensive clean includes the use of descaler sachets or tablets.
Cost to clean: £0.29
Dishwasher
The use of a few household ingredients can leave your dishwasher running smoothly and more efficiently in no time at all.
People should start by removing the filter from the base of their dishwashers and running it under hot water. They can use washing-up liquid and a sponge or scrubber to remove any grime and buildup.
A standard clean can be achieved by sprinkling baking soda onto the floor of the dishwasher and setting it to run on an eco cycle. Alternatively, a deeper clean can be achieved by filling a small bowl with 250ml of white vinegar and placing it on the top shelf, and running through on a hot water cycle without a tablet or detergent.
Not only does this method leave the interior sparkling clean, but it also deodorises it and breaks down any food particles to eliminate unpleasant odours.
Cost to clean: £0.88
Microwave
A weekly clean is recommended to keep a microwave in top working order, allowing energy to be spent on cooking your food.
Baking soda is ideal for home cleaning - it's perfect for easily eliminating grease and grime from appliances.
In a microwaveable bowl, add two tablespoons of baking soda to 250ml of water, and set on full power for three to five minutes (depending on your machine's wattage). The expert says that this method is perfect for breaking down stubborn stains and grease inside, leaving it easier to dislodge with a cloth or scrubbing brush.
Sprinkling baking soda directly into the base of your microwave after removing the turntable plate, and then wiping around the interior with a damp cloth will remove any remaining dirt. Rinse out the cloth and repeat this step with the turntable elements.
Cost to clean: £0.89
Oven and hob
While cleaning your oven and hob is a gruelling task for many, it can be worth the effort. A deep-cleaned oven will reach the correct temperature for cooking much quicker than one covered in food residue and grease. Alongside this, the heat will be distributed more evenly - not only resulting in lower bills - but improving the taste of your food too.
A good cleaning method includes mixing baking soda and water until you have a thick, paste-like consistency. Mira suggests using this paste across the metal and glass - but be careful to avoid any heating elements. Leave this for 20 minutes.
Cost to clean: £0.59
Vacuum
Your vacuum will have much more power if debris is removed from the brushes, filter, cylinder, and attachments. Cleaning these parts will improve suction power, reducing time vacuuming and energy usage.
Thankfully, the cleaning method won't set you back a penny. You should first check for build-up on any brushes. Carefully use a pair of scissors to cut through trapped hair and other debris to release it from the brush.
Remove the cylinder from your vacuum and empty the contents. Once you have done this, use a toothbrush to gently remove excess dirt and dust from the rest of the compartment, taking care to reach spots where any has built up.
If your appliance allows you to remove the filter and wash it, remove this and run under cold running water to rinse away any debris. Not only will cleaning this improve suction but it will also help to remove any bacteria and germs.
Cost to clean: £0.00
Shower head
Shower heads can be prone to limescale build-up - which not only reduces the power and flow of your water but also results in you needing to use it for longer - therefore consuming more energy. A simple clean can leave you with a more powerful shower, and a cheaper energy bill.
A great tool for cleaning your shower head is using a dental floss pick designed for braces. The tiny wire tool can be efficient in pushing into the holes of your shower head to release any grime. Gently push the tool into each hole, to get rid of any persistent build-up.
Alternatively, you can use a zip-lock bag with white vinegar to place it over your shower head. Once you've secured the bag, leave it to soak for 30 minutes to one hour then remove and rinse. This should leave you with a glistening shower head, and return its power.
Cost to clean: £1.89
Hairdryer
Hairdryers can easily become clogged with dust, hair, and other build-ups. But removing all this from the back of your dryer and filter can improve its efficiency.
Remove the cap from the back and rinse under a tap to remove any dust from here.
For the filter on the appliance, the expert suggests taking a vacuum nozzle and gently holding it against it to pull any residue away from the filter.
Cost to clean: £0.00
In total, the cost of cleaning all of the main appliances around the house will total no more than £8.67.
In addition, the cleaning expert advises people to look at the EPC UK energy rating of each appliance.
They say it's essential when discerning how much money it costs to run.
Classified from A to G, with A being the highest, this rating shows at a glance how energy efficient or inefficient an appliance is.
Ultimately, the higher the rating, the more money you'll save in the long term, as those (usually older) appliances with ratings of C or below cost a lot more to run.
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