How to Get Rid of Old Washing Machine? 6 Options [2026]

The cheapest way depends on whether you are buying a replacement.

If you are buying a new washer, retailer haul-away is the best deal. Home Depot, Lowe's, and Best Buy all offer free haul-away of your old washing machine when they deliver the new one. The delivery team disconnects and removes the old unit at no extra charge. This is included with standard delivery ($0-59 depending on store and purchase amount).

If you are not buying a replacement, city bulk pickup is the cheapest option at $0. Call 311 or visit your city waste department website to schedule. Wait times range from 2-8 weeks depending on the city and season. Place the washer at the curb on your scheduled day.

A scrap metal yard will take your old washer for free and may pay you $10-25. Washing machines contain 60-100 pounds of steel and iron. You need a way to transport it — borrow or rent a truck if needed.

Yes — both Home Depot and Lowe's haul away your old washing machine for free when delivering a new one.

Home Depot includes appliance haul-away with delivery on purchases over $396. The delivery team disconnects the old washer (including water supply lines) and removes it. You need to have the washer accessible and disconnected from power before delivery day.

Lowe's offers free haul-away with appliance delivery. Their team handles disconnection of basic water hookups. Gas connections require a licensed professional — Lowe's delivery teams will not disconnect gas lines.

Best Buy includes haul-away with delivery on major appliance purchases. Schedule haul-away when you schedule delivery.

All three retailers require the old appliance to be in a location accessible by the delivery team — ground floor, clear path, no tight stairways. If the washer is in a basement with narrow stairs, you may need to move it to the main floor before delivery day.

Before any removal service arrives, the washer needs to be disconnected and drained.

Turn off the water supply valves behind the washer. There are two — hot and cold. Turn both clockwise until tight.

Unplug the washer from the electrical outlet.

Pull the washer away from the wall to access the hoses. Place towels under the hose connections. Unscrew both water supply hoses from the back of the machine. Water will drain from the hoses — have a bucket ready.

Run a short spin cycle (if the washer still works) to drain remaining water from the drum and pump. If the washer does not work, tilt it slightly toward the front to drain water from the bottom.

For top-load washers, secure the lid with tape for transport. For front-load washers, close and secure the door.

A washing machine weighs 150-200 pounds. Use an appliance dolly if moving it yourself — two people recommended.

Yes, if it works. Several organizations accept working washing machine donations.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts working washers and offers free pickup in many areas. Schedule at habitat.org or call your local ReStore. They resell appliances to fund Habitat home builds.

The Salvation Army accepts working washers in some regions. Call 1-800-728-7825 to check availability in your area.

Facebook Marketplace is the fastest way to donate or sell a working washer. List it for $50-150 (working washers sell quickly) or post it as free with buyer-pickup. Working washers listed as free are typically claimed within 24 hours.

No organization accepts non-working washing machines as donations. Broken washers go to scrap, bulk pickup, or junk removal.

A standard washing machine contains 60-100 pounds of steel and cast iron, plus small amounts of copper wiring and aluminum.

At 2026 scrap steel rates ($0.04-0.08/lb), a whole washer brought to a scrapyard nets $5-20. Scrapyards accept washers as-is — no disassembly required.

If you strip the copper wire and separate metals, you can earn slightly more, but the time investment rarely justifies it for a single appliance. Copper wire from a washer is typically worth $2-5.

Many scrapyards will pick up appliances for free if you have 3+ units. Call local scrapyards and ask about pickup minimums.