Washer and Dryer Removal: How to Disconnect, Move and Recycle Them
Washers and dryers are among the easiest appliances to recycle — they contain no refrigerant and are mostly steel. The tricky part is disconnecting them correctly and getting them out of a laundry closet or basement without damage.
Disconnecting a washing machine
- Turn off both water supply valves behind the machine.
- Unplug the washer.
- Place a bucket underneath and unscrew the hot and cold inlet hoses; some water will always come out.
- Pull the drain hose out of the standpipe or sink and let it drain into the bucket.
- On a front loader, open the small access panel at the bottom front and drain any water left in the pump through the emergency hose.
- If the machine will be reused or resold, reinstall the transit bolts that lock the drum. Without them the drum can be damaged in transport.
Disconnecting a dryer
Electric dryers
Unplug the dryer from its 240-volt outlet, then loosen the clamp and pull the vent duct off the back. Clean out the lint that collects in the duct and the wall connection while you have access.
Gas dryers
Turn the gas shut-off valve so the handle is perpendicular to the pipe, disconnect the flexible connector and cap the gas line. If you are not completely confident doing this, have a licensed plumber or gas technician do it — an uncapped line is a serious hazard.
Where washers and dryers can go
- Retailer haul-away when a new pair is delivered — usually the cheapest and easiest route.
- Scrap metal recyclers accept washers and dryers readily and some pay a few dollars by weight.
- City or county bulky pickup or recycling center drop-off.
- Donation for working machines in good condition.
Before you buy a replacement dryer, it is worth checking ENERGY STAR’s guidance on clothes dryers; heat-pump models use considerably less energy than conventional vented dryers.
Moving them out of the house
A front-load washer weighs 150–200 pounds, largely because of the concrete counterweights around the drum. Use an appliance dolly, strap the machine on and take stairs one step at a time with a helper below. Protect door frames and flooring with cardboard or moving blankets.
Common faults that do not need a new machine
Many laundry appliances are replaced for problems that cost far less to fix:
- Washer will not drain — usually a blocked pump filter or a kinked drain hose.
- Washer will not spin — often a worn drive belt, a faulty lid switch or door lock, or an unbalanced load.
- Dryer runs but does not heat — commonly a failed heating element, thermal fuse or, on gas models, an igniter.
- Dryer takes forever — nearly always a restricted vent.
If the machine is under about eight years old, a repair is usually the better value. An experienced technician offering washer repair can tell you in one visit whether the fix is worth it.