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If your washing machine has been in use for a few years, the risk of limescale builds up. You might spot a white or grey layer on the heating element, or white streaks on your laundry. When that happens, it’s time to descale your washing machine. This article explains how to do it, and how to prevent future limescale.
Limescale forms due to hard water: water with a high content of calcium and magnesium. Water hardness varies across the Netherlands. You can check levels in your area online. When hard water is heated, limescale particles form and settle on warm surfaces, especially on the heating element in a washing machine. The hotter the wash, the higher the risk of limescale buildup.
Thankfully, descaling your washing machine is easy. All you need is a descaler. You can buy a special descaling product or use baking soda and natural vinegar. Then follow these 4 steps:
Make sure the drum is completely empty before descaling. Check for forgotten items, especially hidden in the rubber seal. Drain any leftover water as well.
Pour the descaling agent into the detergent drawer. A ready-made descaler is easiest – just follow the instructions on the package. If you don’t have one, you can use soda, natural vinegar or the juice from at least three lemons.
Select a standard cycle at 40 or 60°C. There’s no need for a pre-wash but do let the main programme run fully. This ensures the descaler spreads properly inside the machine.
After descaling, run the same cycle again with an empty drum and no detergent. This helps rinse away any leftover descaling agent, so it doesn’t affect your clothes.
Descaling regularly can significantly extend your machine’s life. Limescale clogs and damages the heating element, forcing the machine to work harder and consume more energy. It can also leave stubborn white marks on your laundry.
To reduce limescale, wash at lower temperatures whenever possible. A 30 or 40°C cycle produces less scale than a 90°C wash. Use the correct amount of detergent – many detergents already contain anti-limescale ingredients. If you live in a hard water area, a little extra may help, but don’t overdo it. Too much detergent causes soap scum and can lead to bad smells. Energy-efficient washing machines often include smart dosing functions to help.
In general, descaling once every 2 months is enough. If you live in a hard water area, consider doing it monthly. Don’t overdo it – descalers contain strong ingredients and using them too often can damage your washer. A good habit is to descale as part of your regular cleaning routine for the machine.
Limescale is inevitable over time, especially if you do lots of washes. Fortunately, it’s easy to remove. Just follow the 4 steps outlined here. Wash at lower temperatures where possible and dose detergent properly. Even with precautions, you’ll still need to descale now and then.
