This one button on your washing machine will save you over £70

With and Brits looking to make savings wherever they can, this lesser-known trick on a can save you £70 each year. Pressing one button can reduce the amount of energy used, which in turn leads to greater savings. Miele kitchen appliance expert Ryan Adams, director of , reveals how simply pressing the spin button on your appliance before using the tumble dryer can cut energy use and save you some cash.

The expert explains how placing wet clothes directly into a tumble dryer forces the appliance to work much harder. "Running a second spin cycle in the washing machine to remove excess water and untangling items before drying helps the clothes move freely in the drum, reducing strain on the dryer," Mr Adams says.

He adds: "Including a thorough spin cycle before tumble drying can help households potentially save between £29 to £72 annually."

The kitchen appliance expert also unveils three other common mistakes Brits typically make while using a washing machine, which can lead to excess energy consumption or damage to your appliance.

Washing towels and bed linen together can apparently cause more harm than good, Mr Adams says.

"Washing towels and bed linen in the same load can cause excessive strain on a washing machine. The added water weight often exceeds the recommended load capacity, potentially damaging the drum shaft and bearings," he explains.

The expert says that these items tend to form a single heavy ball during the cycle, which can bounce around and harm the machine's internal parts.

A lesser known mistake that many also make is not emptying the lint trap, which the expert says can have serious consequences. According to Mr Adams, a clogged trap reduces airflow, forcing the dryer to work harder, which not only wastes energy but also risks overheating the appliance.

"Regularly cleaning the lint trap before each drying cycle makes it more efficient and safer, preventing fire hazards," he says.

A mistake frequently made by many is not checking the pockets of items of clothing before putting them in the washing machine.

"Coins and other objects left in pockets can cause significant damage to washing machines and dryers. These items can bang around inside the drum, leading to expensive repairs," Mr Adams says. "A quick check of pockets before starting a load can save your machines and prevent unnecessary costs."