Is Descaling of top load automatic washing mashine essential before 1st use?

Same doubt. Same issue

Not required at all for new machine.
Need to be atleast 1 year old and every year to 6 month after that depending on usage.
Also buy it online for a cheap price.

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@Budhe-Baba refer to my comments on this https://www.desidime.com/discussions/auto-clean...
By the way check this https://www.amazon.in/Descaler-ScaLGo-Descaling... In most cases, these packets are available at 60-70 per 100 gm in the market outside.
Coming to your actual question, you don’t need to descale it before using for the first time. You will need to do it after a few months based on the hardness of water and other factors. And by the time you plan to descale, you will misplace these packets or the efficacy of the powder decreases. I know I’m exaggerating.

I used mine after 1year or more i guess. Even that i got free with fortune dishwasher salt n detergent.
Used in my 9 yrs old front load after maybe 2-3yrs(lazy me). Created a good amount of mess to clean off afterwards. So it was effective i think after that long.

After all these are salts only inside airtight pouches.