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An exponential distribution of the bed-pressure fluctuations is used to estimate the depth within a porous gravel bed from which fine sediment of a given size can be removed. The coarsest grain size of the fine sediment that might be washed out is of O(10-1) in relation to both the gravel grain size and the equivalent grain roughness. A higher equivalent grain roughness results to a larger absolute cleaning depth, whereas the averaged gravel grain size is seen to be less important. The results are successfully tested for plausibility against the grain size distributions of an armored gravel bed and its underlaying bimodal layer as found in situ in the river Rhine. However, qualitative and quantitative experimental data for an in-depth validation remain to be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]