When was the last time you actually looked inside your washing machine instead of just starting another load ... even if you are tall enough to see the grime in that top-load washer you regret buying?

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Damian Lugowski / Getty Images Even if you have your laundry routine down to a science, you might not even know that your washing ...

It can be easy to overlook cleaning the things we use to clean other things, but major appliances like washing machines and dryers do need to be cleaned and properly maintained to optimize performance ...

It can actually prevent your clothes from getting clean.

Here's where to find it.

Even if you have your laundry routine down to a science, you might not even know that your washing machine has a lint trap—much less that it requires regular cleaning. But, much like your dryer's lint ...

Even if you have your laundry routine down to a science, you might not even know that your washing machine has a lint trap—much less that it requires regular cleaning. But, much like your dryer's lint ...