Consumers who own certain Hotpoint or Indesit washing machines have been urged to check their make and model details carefully after a product recall of more than 500,000 fire-risk appliances was flagged yesterday.

From decades-old washing machines to recent dishwashers, the big kitchen appliances can pose issues when they break down, writes Kya deLongchamps.

Kya deLongchamps test drives a few new, ergonomic elements which have been added to those sturdy stalwarts like the vacuum, washing machine and more.

Kya deLongchamps talks to her appliance repair man and gets some great tips on how to treat your washing machine.

A 76-year-old woman was saved by her washing machine in an "extraordinarily lucky" escape after a suspected gas blast destroyed her home.