The everyday item you should NEVER put in the washing machine – it could land you with a £200 bill

Nick Small, AO.com’s appliance expert said: “Spring cleaning is the ideal opportunity to give your home the once over and what better place to start than with the appliances that do all the heavy lifting?

"For the most part, all you’ll need is vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, water, soap, an old toothbrush, a microfibre cloth, appliance-friendly bowls and a lemon!"

Washing machine – The washing machine is the easiest appliance to begin with. Pop two glasses of vinegar into your detergent drawer and run this on a hot setting. The cycle will deep clean your machine without you having to lift a finger. Once completed, run a hot water cycle to remove any residual vinegar from your washing machine.

Tumble dryer – Use a vinegar/ water mix to wipe clean any stains on the drum and use a microfibre cloth to wipe down any areas like the door seal, or raised ridges where lint can collect. Finally, give your vacuum a whirl to hoover up any lint from your dryer’s filter.

Dishwasher – Empty your dishwasher and wipe down the spray arms and racks with soapy water. Place a bowl with the vinegar/ bicarbonate mix on the top shelf and run a hot cycle to leave your appliance fresher than ever.

Microwave – Place a bowl of water with a chopped-up lemon into your microwave for five minutes. Once this is done and the bowl of water can safely be removed, wipe down the interior for a quick and easy clean.

Oven – Mix bicarbonate of soda evenly with water and spread the paste on the inside. Let this sit overnight, then take a damp cloth to it the following morning. For stubborn grime you can once again turn to vinegar to help clean your oven.

Fridge – Begin by emptying all shelves and get rid of any food that has expired. Clean the shelves using soapy water and wipe down your fridge’s interior with disinfectant wipes, or by mixing vinegar and bicarbonate of soda together. Dry everything thoroughly before popping any food back in.

Vacuum cleaner – Take apart your vacuum and wipe down every nook and cranny with a damp cloth. Pay special attention to the overlooked bristles and pull any hair, debris or dust free before reassembling your vacuum.

Toaster – Turn your toaster upside down and shake free the loose crumbs or remove the crumb tray if this is an option. Then, use an old toothbrush to loosen crumbs from those hard-to-reach spots and wipe down your toaster’s exterior with a damp cloth.

Kettle – Fill your kettle halfway with an equal solution of water and vinegar. Bring this to boil and leave to sit overnight to break down limescale. In the morning, rinse your kettle thoroughly to remove any lingering vinegar.