If you search for washing machine drum cleaning prices and find figures ranging from the low hundreds of baht to over a thousand, and wonder why they differ so much, the answer is not which provider is more expensive. It is that each price refers to a different job.
I explain what kind of work each price range means, how I work out my own prices, and which questions to ask before agreeing, so there are no extra charges later.
Prices differ because the jobs are different
"Washing machine drum cleaning" is used to describe at least three very different jobs. People who compare prices without knowing this often feel they have been overcharged, when in fact they are comparing different types of work.
- Type of jobPouring in a cleaning solution and running a cycle
- What it involves
- A cleaning solution or tablet goes in and a programme is run. No parts are removed.
- Does it reach the outside of the drum?
- No. The water only swirls inside the inner drum.
- Type of jobRemoving only the easy parts
- What it involves
- The wash plate or filter is taken out and cleaned, then the inside of the drum is wiped.
- Does it reach the outside of the drum?
- Partly. The outside of the drum is still not cleaned.
- Type of jobFull strip-down clean
- What it involves
- The inner drum is lifted out of the machine and scrubbed inside and out; the outer tub, detergent drawer and filter are cleaned; then everything is reassembled and test-run.
- Does it reach the outside of the drum?
- Yes, every spot is reached.
| Type of job | What it involves | Does it reach the outside of the drum? |
|---|---|---|
| Pouring in a cleaning solution and running a cycle | A cleaning solution or tablet goes in and a programme is run. No parts are removed. | No. The water only swirls inside the inner drum. |
| Removing only the easy parts | The wash plate or filter is taken out and cleaned, then the inside of the drum is wiped. | Partly. The outside of the drum is still not cleaned. |
| Full strip-down clean | The inner drum is lifted out of the machine and scrubbed inside and out; the outer tub, detergent drawer and filter are cleaned; then everything is reassembled and test-run. | Yes, every spot is reached. |
Most of the residue that makes laundry smell musty is on the outside of the inner drum, a hidden, inaccessible gap between the drums. The water in a drum-clean programme flows past but has no scrubbing force to remove firmly stuck grime. That is why many households have poured in drum cleaner many times and the smell is still there.
My prices, by machine type and capacity
My work is full strip-down cleaning only; there is no pour-in-and-spin option. Routine use of a cleaning solution or tablets is something you can buy at a convenience store and do yourself.
- Machine typeTop loader
- Price
- From 999 THB, depending on capacity
- Time needed
- About 3 hours
- Machine typeFront loader
- Price
- From 1,299 THB
- Time needed
- About 3 hours
| Machine type | Price | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Top loader | From 999 THB, depending on capacity | About 3 hours |
| Front loader | From 1,299 THB | About 3 hours |
- The price includes travel to every sub-district in my service area, with no fuel charge or charge for going upstairs.
- Cleaning the detergent drawer, the lint filter and the bottom of the outer tub is included, not charged per item.
- Reassembly, levelling the machine and one test run before handover are included.
- 30-day warranty on the work. If the original problem comes back in that period, I will come back and check it at no extra charge.
Front loaders cost more because the front panel and the door seal assembly have to come off before the outer tub can be lifted out, while a top loader can be taken apart directly from the top. The difference is not because of the machine's size.
What changes the price, and what does not
I always give you the total before booking, but it helps to know what actually affects the price, so you can send complete information from the start and there is no need to renegotiate on site.
- Affects the price: whether it is a top loader or a front loader, because the dismantling steps are completely different.
- Affects the price: the machine's capacity. A larger machine takes more time and effort at every step.
- Affects the price: the number of machines cleaned in one visit. Several machines are better value than calling me out for each one.
- Does not affect the price: distance within the service area. The price is the same in every sub-district.
- Does not affect the price: how dirty the machine is. I do not charge more because a machine is dirtier than expected.
- Does not affect the price: the brand. I take all brands at the same price.
Four questions to ask before agreeing with anyone
- 1Is the inner drum lifted out for cleaning? This one question immediately separates a real strip-down clean from pouring in a cleaning solution.
- 2Does the quoted price include travel, and what could be added on site?
- 3How long does each machine take? A full strip-down clean cannot be finished in half an hour.
- 4Is there a warranty after cleaning, and what does it cover?
For my work, the answers are: the drum is lifted out for cleaning, travel within the service area is included, it takes about 3 hours, and the work carries a 30-day warranty.
Send me a photo of your machine and its capacity on LINE, and I will tell you the total before we book.