Alert issued to anyone with a washing machine this summer

It's a well-known fact that many of us would really struggle if we didn't have a washing machine. These appliances, found in most UK homes, are essential for keeping our clothes, towels and sheets clean and fresh, and free of germs and bad smells too.

Because they're so heavily relied on, it's vital to keep them in perfect working condition. But the experts at Hotpoint have issued a warning to anyone with a washing machine that may be heading off on holiday soon. It comes as a new survey has revealed that many of us have returned home from a trip to an appliance disaster waiting at home.

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A study has revealed that two thirds of travellers have a set routine of preparations around their homes before they take off on holiday, but nearly one fifth of us have returned home to find something has gone wrong while we're away. Burst pipes, defrosted freezers and mouldy food in the fridge top the list of holiday homecoming disasters.

Salah Sun, head of product at Hotpoint, said: "Spending some time in the days leading up to your holiday to prep your appliances could help you save on your energy bills and prevent unwelcome surprises upon your return."

He says that washing machines require some specific prep, but it's very simple to do.

If you want to prevent mould and unpleasant odours from developing in your washing machine while you're on holiday, a few key tasks can make a massive difference.

First, you should run an empty hot cycle with some washing machine cleaner, which should help to banish any lingering bacteria and potential bad smells.

Salah said: "By doing this you’ll return to a fresh smelling machine."

This was echoed by the appliance experts at Candy, who also recommended taking the filter out and cleaning it with a toothbrush to make sure there's nothing stuck in there. Wipe the seal down with a white vinegar solution to prevent mould, and make sure to leave the door slightly ajar, as this will allow airflow and stop it from smelling.

You should also switch the washing machine off at the wall before heading off, as well as other appliances such as the dishwasher, tumble dryer, microwave, kettle, and coffee machine.

Salah explained: "Appliances that heat water are particularly costly to leave on standby because they need to be ready to heat water instantly on demand. The collective effect of multiple appliances in standby mode can add pounds to your energy bill if you’re on holiday for a fortnight."

By switching these appliances off at the plug or unplugging them will stop them using up energy unnecessarily. Television sets, computer monitors, printers and various countertop gadgets also continue drawing power when left on standby so disconnect them completely for maximum savings.