If you’re a regular Friday giveaway entrant or a Yossette, you’ll know exactly what the title of this blog’s alluding to. No idea what the Friday giveaway is? Don’t worry, I’m here to fill you in.

Last Friday, Appliances Online gave away a brand new LG washing machine. Yes, you heard right, they gave it away free of charge! One lucky winner told us which famous figure wore a certain famous outfit and took home the F1479FDS5 6 Motion™ TrueSteam™ washing machine. Not bad for 2 minutes work!

This week, we’re doing it all again... but BIGGER AND BETTER. Yossi’s dug out some more photographs of famous outfits and we want you to tell us who they belong to.

The prize – the LG F1443KDS. Not only does this washing machine have everything last week’s prize has – LG’s 6 Motion™ wash technology, Truesteam™ programmes, and Direct Drive™ motor – it also has a huge 11kg drum. You couldn’t ask for any more from a washing machine.

To be in with a chance of taking this beauty home, simply enter our competition via our Facebook page. Every day at lunch time, 12pm to be precise, Yossi will be uploading a new photograph of a well known outfit. Choose which celebrity that outfit belongs to from one of the multiple choice answers below the photo, and you’ll be entered into our draw. 

Each photo will remain on the Facebook page for 24 hours only, so make sure you don’t miss it. Enter every day to bump up the odds of a win.

The winner will be announced on Friday 9th March at 4pm. Get guessing, there’s no time to waste.

By entering this competition you declare that Appliances Online has permission to send marketing emails related to our products and services. Your details will be the property of Appliances Online and will not be passed on to any 3rd parties.

Spring is almost upon us, and you know what that means...spring cleaning! Ok, I know that might not be everyone’s first thought, but its mine.

Being the go-to-guy for all things cooling, and the fact I love cleaning, it’s only natural for me to offer my own tips for keeping your fridge as clean and fresh as your foods.

1. First and foremost, remove the contents of your fridge. This is a great chance to check if any foods have well passed the use by date. Bin them. Push the foods that won’t last long to the front and make sure to plan your next few meals around them. Don’t worry, I too have been guilty of this!

    

2. Next, remove the shelves, salad drawer/s and door shelves. I find it easier to clean these at the sink as it’s less messy! You can use warm soapy water, and most stubborn stains should disappear with a little elbow grease. Make sure you dry these fully before returning them.

    

3. You’ll find some fridges come with anti bacterial protection, and this not only helps to reduce bacteria build up but works at eliminating funky smells too. Not to worry if not. If you don’t already have some, invest in a tub of bicarbonate of soda. It may be great for baking, but it’s even better for cleaning. Mix it with some warm water and you’ve got yourself a chemical free substance that scrubs your fridge nicely and neutralises smells. Adding in a few drops of lemon to the mix will give it a zesty fragrance too. If you do have anti bacterial lining, you will still need to wipe it with warm soapy water – no escape from cleaning I’m afraid.

    

4. Something that gets left out a lot is the seal around the door. This is a breeding ground for mould and mildew. A wipe with a warm cloth every few weeks will keep it clean, and harmful germs at bay!

    

You might not have the time (or the patience) to clean your fridge every week, but by keeping on top of the cleanliness it reduces the chance of bacteria ruining your foods and causing upset tummies. Plus, who actually wants to have a smelly fridge!?

If anyone has any tips on cleaning your fridge, or you’ve found my tips helpful, write a comment and let us know!

If you don’t already know, the team at Appliances Online are experts in their field. Each category has a designated expert who’s on hand to answer any questions you might have. Intrigued? I know I am. 

This week we’re catching up with cleaning guru, Lucy. (Cleaning includes washing machines, washer dryers, tumble dryers and dishwashers, although you’ll soon see which Lucy’s favourite is).  She’s the product trainer at Appliances Online and what she doesn’t know about appliances isn’t worth knowing. Let’s see what she has to say about the cleaning products of 2012...

A: Hello Lucy. First things first, Appliances Online sell a lot of different types of appliances. What is it about cleaning that peaks your interest?

L: My favourite cleaning appliance is a dishwasher because it’s an appliance I truly appreciate. When you think about it, most people have never lived without a washing machine, oven or fridge freezer, but pretty much all of us have lived without a dishwasher at some point. Now I’ve got a dishwasher, I really value the benefits.

A: A lot of people think a dishwasher is expensive to run, in terms of it wasting a lot of water, but this is a common misconception. Tell us more.

L: Well Amy, that’s what so interesting about dishwashers. Dishwashers on average save between 30 and 40 litres per wash load compared to washing up by hand! 

A: Not to mention, the lack of washing up by hand must keep your hands nice and soft?

L: Absolutely!Dishwashers are much more hygienic because they wash your dishes at around 70°C, killing bacteria – a much higher temperature than your hands could stand. Just think how much bacteria builds up on your sponge if you wash up by hand.

A: So, which dishwashers would you recommend for a first timer like me?

L: Well Amy, that completely depends on your budget. The best models out there have to be Siemens. They’re packed full of features and functions and they’re soo energy efficient, so cheap to run. The IQ-700 SN26T595GB is a favourite, it’s A+++ energy rated and has a HydroSensor to utilise every drop of water. If you want something a little bit more affordable, I’d go for the Hotpoint Aquarius FDL570G. It can hold 12 place settings so it’s suitable for cleaning up after a family of 4 and it even has a 25 minute quick wash for when you’re in a rush.

A: A quick wash is a feature that would definitely come in handy at my house. Thanks for your time Lucy.

Well, I’ve certainly learnt something new. I hope you have too. Keep your eyes peeled for the next expert interview. Who will it be?

Breaking news!  As of yesterday,  the football transfer window is now closed:

During this year’s transfer window, Sulley Muntari has switched allegiance in Milan, with AC having snapped him up from their arch-rivals Inter. Sunderland have finalised the signing of full-back Wayne Bridge from Manchester City on a loan deal for the rest of the season. And AC Milan have apparently reopened negotiations over a dramatic late swoop for Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez!

Hmmm I wonder who all these people are? You can probably guess that I’m not the world’s greatest expert on football.  But, what I do know is that I spend a lot of time working out outside, getting just as muddy and grass stained as any footballer! And if it weren’t for the tailored sports wash cycles on my washing machine protecting my kit, clothes and trainers, I don’t know how I would manage. I would be constantly replacing my sportswear, which just isn’t practical.

If you are as keen on keeping fit as I am, it’s vital you have a washing machine that knows how to correctly wash your expensive sports gear, keeping it in tip-top condition for your next extreme work out. Washing machines these days come with fantastic programmes tailored to washing anything from water proof jackets to muddy trainers; these include outdoor wear programmes, sports intensive options and sports light options.

Having the correct sports gear up a mountain, on the football pitch or when you’re out for a run can mean the difference between getting the most out of your active day or being too hot/cold, uncomfortable and miserable. The right washing machine with the right wash programme is the difference between your quality workout clothing enhancing your performance or letting you down just before the finish line. 

Indesit washing machines such as the IWE81281K even offer a Special shoes cycle which uses a slow gentle wash that cleans your mucky trainers, without damaging them or the surface of the drum.

No doubt by now you’ve landed yourself a bargain in the January sales, whether it’s a flat screen telly, a corner sofa or a whole new wardrobe. I don’t blame you for braving the crowds either – January is typically the month for counting the copper, so it’s always good to find a solid gold deal or two. 

If you came back from shopping with bags heaving with new clothes, the last thing you want to do is let them go to pot within a few weeks of wearing them. This can happen if your washing machine or tumble dryer isn’t equipped to take extra care of those different fabrics. So, with that in mind, let’s have a gander at what to look out for when you’re washing and drying those new outfits.

First things first, check the clothes care labels. It makes sense to treat delicate items... delicately. If you keep putting your brand spanking new jumper on a red hot wash with a high spin speed, you’re going to end up ruining the poor thing. Make sure you pick a Wool/Handwash cycle for your woollens and silks. If your washing machine doesn’t have this or you’re in the market for a new model, take a look at the range of washing machines here that do. One in particular caught my eye – the Hotpoint AQ113D697I. This one’s Wool cycle is endorsed by Woolmark themselves, and it even comes with specialised programmes for coloured, white and dark clothes.

If you’ve recently invested in a load of gym or sportswear, look out for special sports cycles like the Sports Wear programme on LG’s F1281TD washing machine. These cycles are designed to take extra care of breathable fabrics, while giving a deep, efficient clean.

Last but certainly not least – tumble drying. There’s nothing worse than taking new clothes out of the dryer to find them creased and crinkled to within an inch of their lives. So, it’d be a good idea to take advantage of sensor drying. By using special sensors in the drum, models with this technology stop automatically once the right dryness level has been reached, making sure your new load of clothes are never over-dried. Don’t forget anti-crease and easy iron programmes too – these can help to prevent tangling and deep creases. You can find these lovely features on the Beko DCU8230.

These little tips may seem insignificant, but they can make a big difference when it comes to looking after your glad rags.