How to make your washing machine last longer

Replacing a washing machine every five years produces 1.1 tonnes more CO2 than keeping it for 20 years*.

To live more sustainably, we need to go back to using things for longer. These three tips will help you to get the most from your washer…

1 SPREAD THE LOAD

when you wash bulky items that will get really heavy when wet. Add a towel or two if you’re washing a single pillow, for example.

2 EMPTY POCKETS

to avoid blockages and permanent damage that could cause a water leak. Time invested checking pockets could avoid costly repairs later on.

3 DESCALE REGULARLY

to stop limescale building up. ‘Run a normal wash cycle without any laundry in the drum, using a large cup of distilled white vinegar or lemon juice in place of laundry detergent,’ advises the GHI’S Katie Mortram.