Washing Machine Removal & Disposal Service: Comprehensive Guide

Make Rubbish.com your first choice for affordable same-day washing machine removal in the UK. Your clothes should be coming out squeaky clean, but should your old washing machine no longer be operating properly and if repairs are out of the question, then it may be time to say goodbye to your washing machine for good.

We remove and dispose of washing machines

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Washing machine removal & disposal services UK

If your washing machine has a habit of dancing around or rattling to the rhythm of a discordant tune, it’s time to change the beat of a different drum by using this site to remove unwanted bulky items from your property.

Our licensed waste carrier member partners can help disconnect, collect, remove and dispose of any unwanted washers and dryers from your home. This includes standard freestanding washing machines and dryers, integrated washing machines, front-loading washing machines, top-loading washing machines, washer/dryer sets, combined washer-dryers, portable and compact washing machines, and more.

Washing machine removal service near you

Member partners featured on Rubbish.com can help remove and dispose of any unwanted washing machines from your kitchen or elsewhere on your property. Since white goods tend to be quite heavy and bulky, leave the heavy lifting to our capable man and van teams.

Many washing machines contain valuable scrap metal as well, which a competent and eco-friendly rubbish removal company can salvage. This makes rubbish removal great for the environment whilst reducing needless landfill waste.

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Washing machine removal & disposal: questions people commonly ask

How do I get rid of a washing machine in the UK?

Most councils in the UK can collect your washing machine as part of their bulky waste collection services, although there is often a charge for this service and you may need to wait a week or longer to have your washing machine collected.

If your washing machine is in reasonable condition, you could sell it online or give it away for free, or donate it to charity. The most convenient solution is often to arrange for collection by a man and van rubbish removal company near you.

How do you drain and move a washing machine?

To drain a washing machine, first ensure that the washing machine’s power supply is disconnected. Next, turn off the water supply by turning off the valves typically found on the back of the appliance and allow residual water to drip out. If the washing machine has water inside, lower the drain hose and place a bucket or towel to absorb the excess water. Once all water has been drained from the appliance, disconnect the drain hose and move the washing machine with a furniture dolly or moving straps.

How do you remove a washer and dryer?

To remove a washer and dryer set, first unplug both appliances from the power supply and empty the drum of any contents. Next, turn off the water valve of the washer and empty the drain hose of residual water; disconnect the dryer vent hose from the dryer via clamps found at the rear of the dryer. Remove these hoses and any accessories from the washer/dryer and prepare for moving via furniture dolly or moving straps.

Do you need to turn the water off to remove a washing machine?

Yes, the water supply must first be disconnected from the washing machine before preparing it for removal. Most washing machines have a water supply valve located behind the appliance which is typically turned vertically, or on by default. Turn this valve sideways (horizontally) to turn it off. Otherwise, trace the washing machine’s water supply through your home to locate the shut-off valve.

Can you remove a washing machine yourself?

You may be able to remove your washing machine by yourself if you have the strength needed to pull it out and disconnect it and to push/pull or roll it across the floor with a dolly by yourself. If your washing machine has wheels (e.g. portable washing machines or washers sitting on wheel stands) then moving it is much easier to do alone.

Always ask for assistance if in doubt to avoid injury and to prevent damage to your property.

Do movers disconnect the washer and dryer?

Many removal companies in the UK do not disconnect white goods such as washers and dryers from the power or water supply. Homeowners are typically required to prepare their white goods for removal themselves, including disconnecting the washer and dryer.

If you intend to dispose of your washer and/or dryer, rubbish removal companies in the UK can assist with disconnecting these appliances, removing them from your property, and taking care of disposal.

Can a washer and dryer go anywhere?

Most homes and flats in the UK have historically placed the washer and dryer in the kitchen, although it is also common to find these appliances in a bathroom or dedicated utility room as well. For small and/or old homes and flats, the kitchen is often the only practical place to install a dishwasher due to plumbing connections nearby and to economise space.

Having a washer in the kitchen is stereotypical in the UK, but it is also somewhat common elsewhere such as in Portugal. It is not at all common in the US or Canada, for example.

How often should you replace your washing machine?

You should consider replacing your washing machine every 10-12 years, on average. If your washing machine is no longer operating properly and the cost of repairs isn’t justified, it may be cheaper and more convenient to buy a new model. Moreover, you may wish to replace your washing machine sooner with an eco-friendly model that uses less water and energy.

To dispose of your old washing machine, consider retailer take-back schemes or simply call a man and van rubbish removal company near you to dispose of it quickly.

Is it cheaper to fix a washing machine or buy a new one?

If your washing machine is over a decade old or if repairs would cost more than purchasing a new model, then it is generally better to buy a new one. Many newer washing machines contain proprietary parts and components that can be expensive to replace if the appliance is out of warranty, which leads many owners to simply replacing their washing machines after encountering a problem.

Often, however, washing machines can be repaired for a fraction of the cost of replacing the appliance since many common problems with washing machines do not require replacement components or the replacement components are available and reasonably priced.

How often should you clear the drain pump on a washing machine?

You should try to clear the drain pump on your washing machine every few months, or if you notice that the machine is making loud noises or your clothes are coming out wet after a wash cycle. The drain pump can become clogged with hairs or excessively soiled clothes residue and prevent the washing machine from operating efficiently.

Remove the drain pump filter and wash with vinegar or a cleaning product, remove any soil residue, and replace every few months to ensure the smooth operation of your washing machine.

Why is there water in my washing machine drum when not in use?

Your washing machine drum should not have water inside when not in use. If you discover dripping water or that the drum is slowly filling up when not in operation, the cause is most commonly from a faulty water valve letting water leak into the washing machine.

Other possible causes may include a faulty water level sensor, improper drainage leading to accumulated water, a broken door seal, or the excessive use of detergent during a wash cycle.

What type of waste is a washing machine?

A washing machine is considered to be bulky waste by most local councils and rubbish removal companies in the UK. Much like other white goods, however, washing machines today contain far more electronic components than those of the past and thus they may also be considered electronic waste (e-waste) due to the increasingly complex electronic components and the rare earth metals contained therein.

E-waste is amongst the fastest growing streams of waste in the UK and worldwide, so consider disposing of your unwanted washing machine in an eco-friendly manner.

Where does the washing machine waste pipe go?

The washing machine waste pipe typically connects to the mains drainage system. From the rear of the washing machine, the wastewater discharges first from the machine’s drum itself through a drainage outlet and subsequently through the home plumbing’s wastewater system.

P-traps (or occasionally, S-traps) are sometimes used to prevent odours from backing up into the home. Ventilation and air gaps are required to prevent foul water from siphoning into the machine once discharged.

Where should washing machine waste go?

Washing machine wastewater should always be connected via waste pipe to the mains drainage system (foul water sewer), not the rainwater soakaway. This is the same place where wastewater from your dishwasher and toilet should be going.
For rural homes without access to mains drainage, washing machine wastewater should be discharged into a private septic system and a well-designed drainage field.

Can I drain my washing machine water into the garden?

Washing machine wastewater can be discharged into your garden provided that it is treated in a septic tank and discharged via a well-designed drainage field and not a soakaway pit or makeshift drainage system.

To discharge washing machine wastewater into your garden in a compliant manner, ensure that you abide by the Environment Agency Septic Tank General Binding Rules.

Does a washing machine drain into the sewer?

The used water discharged from a washing machine goes into either the mains drainage system (municipal sewers) or into a private septic system. This water is often called grey water or wastewater and is unfit for human consumption.

Most homes and flats in urban areas of the UK discharge of washing machine wastewater into the municipal sewer system whereas some homes located in rural parts of the UK use a private septic system.

How heavy is a washing machine?

Most washing machines in the UK weigh approximately 70-75 kg. The vast majority of washing machines used in the UK are side-loaders with a load capacity of approximately 7-11 kg with dimensions of approximately 84-86 cm (height) x 50-66 cm (depth) x 59-61 cm (width). This uniformity of size is convenient for homeowners since most homes and flats in the UK place the washer in the kitchen.

How do I dispose of a washing machine for free?

Some methods of disposing of a washing machine for free include giving it away to friends or family, through online marketplaces, donate it to charity, or through some councils as part of bulky waste collection.

Many retailers also offer take back schemes whereby they will collect and dispose of your old white goods upon purchase of a newer model, but many now charge for this service.

How much does it cost to remove a washing machine in the UK?

Our member partners typically charge around £35 to £60 to remove and dispose of a washing machine. The cost of removing and disposing of a washing machine can vary depending on the amount of labour required and the size of the appliance, as well as on your location in the UK.

Given that this cost is roughly in line with what many councils charge for bulky waste collection as well as the fact that you will need to move the washing machine onto the street for collection yourself, it is generally far more convenient to leave the job to a private rubbish removal company instead.

Are washing machines worth anything for scrap?

Washing machines contain large quantities of recyclable metal that can be sold. The approximate weight of scrap metal found in a typical washing machine in the UK is around 45-60 kg, or approximately three-quarters of the total weight of the appliance. Assuming an approximate per kilo cost of £0.15, a typical washing machine in the UK would be worth around £7 to £9 in scrap metal.

Most washing machines contain a substantial amount of steel or other alloys (e.g. aluminium) as part of the frame, drum, casing, and fasteners. Copper wiring is also common in the motor and electronic components.