How to Get Rid of Old Appliances

That broken washer in the garage was supposed to be temporary. Here’s how to finally get it out.

How to get rid of old appliances? Sell or donate the ones that still work. For the ones that don’t, recycle them, use a retailer or city pickup program, or have a residential junk removal crew haul them away.

The best fit comes down to three things: whether it works, how heavy it is, and how much lifting you want to do yourself.

Key Takeaways

• Working appliances can often be sold or donated, but charities may turn down old, dirty, or broken ones. Call first.
• Replacing an appliance? Ask the retailer about haul-away before delivery day. Fees and rules vary by store.
• Refrigerators, freezers, and other appliances with refrigerants need special handling. Check local rules before setting one at the curb.
• Most large appliances weigh about 150 to 200 lbs. With JunkStart, you pay for that weight on the scale, not for the space the appliance takes up in a truck.
• Empty, disconnect, and clear a path before pickup day so removal goes faster.

6 Ways on How to Get Rid of Old Appliances

Start with the appliance’s condition.

A working fridge has lots of options. A dead one has fewer.

1. Sell It if It Still Works

If the appliance runs well, selling it puts some money back in your pocket.

List it on a local marketplace or resale site. Be upfront about its age, brand, condition, and any issues.

Say who handles pickup in the listing. For big appliances, buyers want to know before they show up.

This works best for newer appliances that are clean, working, and have years left in them.

2. Donate a Working Appliance

Don’t need it, but it still works? Some charities, community groups, and reuse centers accept household appliances.

Rules vary, especially for large appliances. Call ahead to ask what they take and whether they offer pickup.

Be realistic. A clean, working washer has a good shot.

A dented dryer that squeals every cycle probably won’t make the cut.

Before you drop it off, clean it and make sure it runs.

3. Ask the Retailer About Haul-Away

Buying a replacement? Ask the store whether they’ll take the old one when they deliver the new one.

It’s handy because the swap happens in one trip. Fees, rules, and accepted appliances vary by retailer, so check the terms before delivery day.

4. Recycle It

When an appliance is done for good, recycling may still be an option. Many contain metal, plastic, and glass that can be recovered.

Local recycling centers and waste programs set their own rules for what they accept.

Refrigerators and other appliances with refrigerants need special handling. The EPA’s Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) Program explains responsible disposal for these appliances.

Call the facility before you load anything up. Ask what they take and how to prep it.

5. Check Your City’s Bulk Pickup or Drop-Off Rules

Your local waste program may have a set process for large household appliances.

Some cities offer scheduled bulk pickup, drop-off sites, or special disposal days. Others limit which appliances can go to the curb.

Check the rules before you drag a heavy appliance outside. You may need to book a pickup or prep it a certain way.

Renting? Don’t leave an old appliance by the dumpster.

Our guide to apartment junk removal when moving out covers what to check with your property manager first.

6. Hire a Junk Removal Service

If the appliance is broken, too heavy to move, or not worth the hassle of selling, junk removal is the easiest route. It’s a good fit for:

• Refrigerators and freezers
• Washing machines and dryers
• Dishwashers
• Ovens and stoves
• Microwaves
• Dehumidifiers

The crew does the lifting, loading, and hauling. You don’t have to wrestle a 200-pound appliance down the stairs or borrow a truck.

JunkStart’s crews take items from anywhere on your property.

Here’s how pricing works. Most junk haulers price by volume: someone eyeballs your stuff, guesses how much truck space it’ll take, and names a number.

The final price often comes down to how well you haggle. And a fridge is a big box full of air, so volume pricing charges you for the box.

JunkStart weighs it instead. When the crew arrives, they look at what’s going and confirm the weight range to expect before any lifting starts.

Then the certified onboard scales are zeroed out and the crew loads up. You pay for the pounds removed, not empty space, and you can watch the scale yourself.

It works like the deli counter: you don’t guess what the ham weighs. You see the scale, and you see the price.

Most large appliances weigh about 150 to 200 lbs. Your final price always comes from the scale at pickup.

Clearing out a loved one’s home and the appliances are just the start? Our estate cleanout checklist can help you plan the rest.

Which Option Fits Your Old Appliance?

Working appliances have the most options. Broken ones narrow things down fast.

Not sure hiring out is worth it? Our breakdown of common junk removal myths compares the real cost of doing it yourself.

Your situation	Best option	Check first
Works and is fairly new	Sell it	Who handles pickup
Works, but you don’t want to sell it	Donate it	Whether the group takes large appliances
You’re buying a replacement	Retailer haul-away	Fees and which appliances they take
Broken, and you can haul it yourself	Recycling center or city drop-off	Accepted items and refrigerant rules
Broken, and you can set it at the curb	City bulk pickup	Pickup dates and curb rules
Broken, heavy, or hard to get out	Junk removal	Mention it when you book

Got an appliance stashed in a storage unit you’re still paying for? These steps for a storage unit cleanout help you sort what stays and what goes.

How to Prepare an Appliance for Removal

A few minutes of prep makes pickup faster, however you’re getting rid of it. For a whole-house list, see our tips on how to prepare for junk removal.

Empty It

Take out food, dishes, clothes, or anything stored inside. Check drawers, shelves, and door bins for small items.

Clean It

Give it a quick wipe-down, especially if you’re selling or donating. A clean appliance is easier to inspect and more likely to be accepted.

Disconnect It Safely

Unplug it before pickup day. If it’s hooked to a water or gas line, disconnect it only if you’re comfortable doing it safely.

Using JunkStart? Mention any water or gas hookups when you schedule, and we’ll help you figure out what’s needed.

Clear a Path

Big appliances need room to move. Clear boxes, furniture, rugs, and anything else between the appliance and the door.

Check for Special Requirements

Some appliances need extra handling because of what’s inside them. If you’re not sure, ask your local disposal or recycling facility.

Booking with JunkStart? Mention every large appliance when you schedule.

Weight sets your price, so the more we know upfront, the closer your estimate.

How to Get Rid of an Old Refrigerator

Refrigerators need extra care. Many contain refrigerants and other parts that require specific handling. Replacing your fridge? Ask the retailer about haul-away first. You can also call your local waste or recycling program about refrigerator disposal rules.

Before pickup, empty the fridge and freezer, clean the inside, and disconnect it properly. If you’re booking JunkStart, tell us about the fridge or freezer ahead of time so the crew comes prepared for proper refrigerant handling.

Get Rid of Old Appliances Without the Guesswork

An old appliance doesn’t have to keep taking up your garage, basement, or laundry room.

If you can sell it, donate it, or recycle it, great. If you’d rather not wrestle a 200-pound washer up the basement stairs, let us handle it.

Our crew does all the lifting, loading, and hauling, with same-day service available in many areas.

Weigh it, pay it, done. No haggling.

Call or book your appliance removal with JunkStart.

Got an old couch or mattress going too? Our furniture removal crews may be able to handle everything in one visit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Rid of Old Appliances

Can I put an old appliance out with regular trash?

Often not. Many local programs require large appliances to go through bulk pickup or a drop-off site, so check your city’s rules before setting one at the curb.

Can old appliances be recycled?

Many can. Appliances often contain metal, plastic, and glass, but rules vary by facility, so call your local recycling center to confirm what it accepts.

What can I do with an appliance that still works?

Sell it or donate it. Some retailers and local organizations also run pickup programs for working appliances.

Do I need to move my old appliance outside for junk removal?

No. JunkStart’s crew handles the lifting and loading from wherever the appliance sits, so just keep the path to it clear.

How does JunkStart price appliance removal?

By weight. Our certified onboard scales measure what we haul, and you pay for those pounds, not the truck space the appliance fills.

Rates vary by location, and your final price always comes from the scale at pickup.