Do you get your appliances serviced?

[revampneeded]

I want my appliances to last as long as possible, especially my washing machine and tumble dryer. I've never got an appliance serviced before and wouldn't be sure where to start. Do other mumsnetters get their appliances serviced, and if so, how and how often?

I only get the boiler serviced

To have your appliances last as long as possible:

• don’t overload
• do a 2 weekly or monthly maintenance wash on your washing machine & dishwasher (ie run a hot empty wash), use a cleaner from the supermarket for DW & WM every couple of months
• take care to empty pockets, use mesh bags, avoid using colour catcher sheets (or put in a mesh bag). Watch out for hair elastics, baby socks etc getting into your WM filter
• don’t use liquid exclusively on the WM as it gunks them up. I personally use powder for whites & liquid for colours
• physically clean DW filter & use salt even if you use the all in one tabs

I think cheap appliances tend to not last, & also that they don’t make em like they used to re durability (but then modern appliances more energy efficient)

Great, thanks @DespairingHomeowner. I need to try the salt and the WM cleaner. I found the AMA thread from the person who used to work in the detergent industry (if I remember right) and still follow their advice on powder for whites, liquid for colours etc. I'm a believer in buying good appliances and keeping them for as long as possible. I do have a water softener installed so hopefully that'll help too.