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It can be easy to forget to clean a , but and may begin to build up in the drum and drawer. You may even notice musty smells coming from the drum or your clothes not smelling as fresh as usual.

Cleaning the washing machine every month or two can help it to stay working efficiently, resulting in lower , according to an expert from Housetastic.co.uk. They said: "The easiest and most efficient way to clean a washing machine drum is to put it on an empty wash cycle.

"To do this, add a little bit of washing detergent directly into the drum, and set it off on a hot wash, around 60C. Try to put the cycle on the hottest wash possible in order to kill germs, and remove any buildup of limescale and mould."

For a deeper clean, simply add a scoop of baking soda to the drum, followed by white vinegar in the detergent drawer.

Once the cycle is over, make sure to remove the drawer and give it a good soak and scrub.

The expert added: "Due to the drawer always being shut, old detergent can stay moist for long periods of time, which can eventually lead to mould.

"Putting on a cycle with a mouldy drawer can lead to bad bacteria and odours on your clothing.

"Ensure you regularly maintain the drawer by removing it and scrubbing it with an old toothbrush."

After these areas are clean, it's time to clean the filter, which is located at the bottom of the machine, usually hidden behind a little flap.

The expert continued: "Empty the filter and allow any trapped dirt and water to escape, lay down a towel if needed.

"Give the cavity a once-over with a cloth to remove any excess, and then replace the filter and cover."

Make sure to follow any manufacturer instructions when it comes to the filter, as this can differ between machines.

Making sure to keep these areas clean at least every couple of months will help to keep the machine in tip-top condition as well as your clothing.