Prevention and and keeping on top of the small problems will save you money in the long term

Looking after electrical goods will save you money in the long term. “Regular, small tasks keep appliances working efficiently and help you avoid early replacements,” says Paula Higgins, the founder of the HomeOwners Alliance.

Limescale can build up and be a problem on items that come in contact with water, such as kettles, washing machines and boilers.

“Descale kettles regularly to keep them running efficiently and lasting longer,” Higgins says. You can do this using baking soda, lemon juice or a white vinegar solution. Morphy Richards has a guide on how to tackle this jobon its website. Alternatively, you can use a product such as Waitrose’s Essential Liquid Appliance Descaler, which costs £2.50. This is also useful for cleaning shower heads with certain finishes such as nickel, gold or brass.

You can buy a limescale catcher that can be used to prevent buildup in water tanks and electrical water boilers for about £10. For kettles, Dunelm has a limescale collector for £1.50.