How do you descale your washing machine?

Limescale is harmful and reduces the lifespan of your washing machine. Your washing machine consumes more energy with limescale and there's a risk your heating element breaks. That's why it's very important to descale your washing machine. In this article, you can read which 4 steps you need to go through to descale your washing machine.

Video: step by step
Empty washing machine
Fill detergent drawer
Run wash cycle
Run another wash cycle
Buy descaler

Descaling washing machine

To descale your washing machine, follow all the steps in this video:

Empty your washing machine.
Fill the detergent drawer with a descaler.
Put it in the main load compartment.
Run an empty cycle at 40 to 60°C.
Repeat this wash cycle.

You can read how to do this step by step in the rest of this article.

Step 1: empty the washing machine

To make sure your clothes don't get stained, it's important to empty the washing machine. Check the door seal well. That's the rubber ring around the opening of the washing machine. You might find a lost sock or underwear.

Step 2: fill the detergent drawer with descaler

Pour the descaler into the detergent drawer. Do this in the same compartment where you'd normally put the detergent. Use the dosage stated on the package of the descaler.

Step 3: run a wash cycle

It's time to run the wash cycle. Choose a wash cycle at 40 or 60°C without pre-wash. To make sure the descaler goes through the entire washing machine, it's important to let the wash cycle finish.

Step 4: run the same wash cycle again

If you only run 1 wash cycle, there's a chance some descaler is left behind in the washing machine. Run the same wash cycle again with an empty drum. This will definitely remove any remaining descaler residue.