Choosing a washing machine cleaner: six things to check before booking, and answers worth a follow-up question

Calling in someone to clean a washing machine is not like calling in a house cleaner. The job means taking your machine apart, lifting the drum out of the cabinet, and putting everything back so it works exactly as before. If it is not reassembled properly, the cost that follows can be many times the price of the clean.

You can check the following six points before you book, from just a few messages, without waiting until the day of the job.

Six things to check before booking

1. 1

   Ask whether the drum is lifted out for cleaning

   This one question immediately separates a strip-down clean from a chemical clean that leaves the drum in place. If the answer is that the drum is not lifted out, the outside surface of the drum, which is where most of the residue builds up, will not be cleaned at all.

2. 2

   Look for photos taken during the work, not just after it

   After photos show the result. Photos of the drum lifted out and set on the floor, of the base under the wash plate once it has been removed, and of the parts laid out waiting to be cleaned show the actual process much more clearly.

3. 3

   Ask how long each machine takes

   A strip-down clean that covers every step takes about three hours per machine. If a job takes only half an hour to an hour, it is usually a different kind of job from a strip-down clean.

4. 4

   Ask what the quoted price includes

   You should know from the start whether travel is included, whether cleaning the detergent drawer and the filter is included, and whether anything might be added on site. The price you agree on should be the price you actually pay.

5. 5

   Ask whether the work comes with a warranty

   Once a machine has been reassembled, any problem usually shows up within a few washes. If there is a leak or unusual shaking, the provider should come back and check it at no extra charge. My work carries a 30-day warranty.

6. 6

   See whether the limits of the job are explained clearly

   On some machines, mould has sunk so deep into the rubber seal that it cannot be removed. Some machines have faults that need parts replaced, which is repair work and a different job from cleaning. A provider who can tell you in advance how far such cases can be dealt with lets you decide with the full picture.

What you should get to see during the job

While the technician works, there are three moments when you can walk over and take a look. You need no technical knowledge at all, and they tell you the most about the quality of the work.

• When the drum has been lifted out and set on the floor, you can ask to see its outside surface. This side is normally hidden, and it is a key part of a strip-down clean.
• When the wash plate or the rubber seal assembly is removed, ask to see the residue underneath before it is cleaned.
• When reassembly is finished, there should be one test run in front of you to confirm there are no leaks and the machine does not shake abnormally.

What to have ready for the technician

The job goes faster and turns out better if these three things are ready beforehand, and none of them are hard to prepare.

• About an arm's length of clear space around the machine, so it can be pulled out and the drum set down.
• A working water point and drain, because cleaning uses a fair amount of water.
• Let me know in advance if the machine is upstairs or the way in is narrow, so enough people and equipment can be brought.

How I do this job

I am Arm, the technician responsible for Pro Fresh Care's work. My washing machine work is strip-down cleaning only.

• Top loaders from 999 THB, front loaders from 1,299 THB. I always confirm the total before booking.
• About three hours per machine, including one test run after reassembly.
• 30-day warranty on the work, and no extra travel charge anywhere in the sub-districts I cover.
• I clean only; I do not do repairs. If I find a fault that needs parts replaced, I tell you honestly and do not charge for that part.

Photos from real jobs, showing both the residue before cleaning and the result afterwards, are on the real work reviews page.