Laundry is one of those jobs that never ends, so it is worth making it as efficient as possible. These ten steps will help your clothes look better for longer, cut your energy use and keep your machine running well.

1. Sort by more than colour

Separate whites, lights and darks, but also heavy items such as towels and jeans from lightweight shirts and delicates. Mixed fabric weights wash and dry unevenly.

2. Check pockets and fastenings

Tissues, coins and hair grips cause mess and can damage the drum or block the pump. Zip up zips and fasten hooks so they do not snag other clothes.

3. Treat stains straight away

The sooner you deal with a stain, the easier it comes out. Blot rather than rub, and use a stain remover before washing.

4. Wash full loads

Running the machine with a sensible full load, filled to about three quarters of the drum, uses less energy and water per item than several small washes.

5. Wash cooler

Modern detergents work well at 30°C for everyday laundry. Save higher temperatures for towels, bedding and heavily soiled items.

6. Measure your detergent

More is not better. Overdosing leaves residue on clothes and in the machine. Follow the guidance for your water hardness and load size.

7. Use the right programme

Quick washes are great for lightly worn clothes but not for heavily soiled items. Eco programmes take longer but use the least energy.

8. Choose a sensible spin speed

A higher spin removes more water and speeds up drying, but delicates and synthetics crease less on a lower spin.

9. Dry smart

Line dry when you can. If you use a tumble dryer, clean the lint filter every time and do not overload it. A heat pump dryer uses much less energy than a vented or condenser model.

10. Look after the machine

Leave the door open between washes, wipe the seal and run a monthly maintenance wash. Our washing machine cleaning routine explains exactly what to do.

If your machine is struggling to keep up, browse our laundry appliances or visit S&D Ireland in Ormskirk.