I read the handbook from cover to cover and there is no mention of a filter. I have done the basic maintenance recommended in the handbook which basically consists of cleaning out the powder/detergent drawer on a regular basis and doing the occasional "dry" wash. The wash today was pretty good...
Thanks for the response but the answer to all your questions is no. However, since writing the question I have noticed that there has been some improvement when the clothes emerge from the machine. Someone else suggested it might be something to do with the filter but I cannot verify this.
Our washing machine (CREDA Simplicity 1000) is 3 years old and has never given us any trouble. However, our last 2 washes at 40 degrees -our normal wash - have produced clothes that are very creased and, consequently, more effort to iron. Is something on the blink?
As a complete idiot I am hoping an "expert" can help me. The flow from the cold water tap in my kitchen seems to have slowed right down (the adjacent hot water tap is OK) and it has become very stiff and will only turn a couple of turns (the other tap takes about 6 - 8 turns to be full on)...