How to Dispose of an Old Washer or Dryer

Your Disposal Options at a Glance

Washers and dryers are among the heaviest household appliances. A typical washing machine weighs 150 to 200 pounds, and a dryer weighs 100 to 150 pounds. Unlike refrigerators and freezers, washers and dryers generally do not contain refrigerants (with the exception of heat pump dryers), so there are fewer regulatory hurdles. However, their weight and size mean regular trash service will not touch them.

The good news is that washers and dryers are almost entirely metal, which makes them valuable as scrap. This gives you more options than many other appliances. Here is every route available to Oregon residents.

Professional Appliance Removal

A professional appliance removal service will come to your home, disconnect the unit (you should turn off water supply valves first for washers), carry it out, and handle proper disposal or recycling.

What to Expect

• Cost: $75 to $150 per unit. Getting both a washer and dryer removed together typically costs $125 to $225 total.
• Timeline: Same-day or next-day service across Portland, Eugene, Salem, and surrounding areas.
• Disconnection: Most crews can disconnect water lines and dryer vents, but you should turn off water supply valves and unplug the units before they arrive.
• Gas dryers: If you have a gas dryer, shut off the gas valve before the crew arrives. Some crews will disconnect gas lines; others require you to have a plumber handle it first.

Professional removal is especially valuable for washers and dryers in basements, tight laundry closets, or upstairs laundry rooms. Navigating a 200-pound washer down a flight of stairs is not a two-person job — it requires proper equipment and technique.

Retailer Haul-Away

Buying a new washer or dryer? Most retailers offer haul-away of the old unit when they deliver the new one.

• Home Depot — Free haul-away with delivery of new laundry appliance. They will even move the old unit from a different room if needed.
• Lowe's — Free haul-away with delivery. They handle both front-load and top-load machines.
• Costco — Free haul-away with delivery for most major appliances.
• Best Buy — Haul-away available for $30 to $50 per unit with delivery.

This is the most common route for people replacing their laundry appliances. Coordinate the timing so the old unit gets removed at the same time the new one is installed.

Donating a Working Unit

Working washers and dryers are among the most needed items at donation centers because they are expensive to buy new and essential for daily life.

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore — Accepts working laundry appliances at Oregon locations including Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Bend. Some locations offer free pickup.
• St. Vincent de Paul — Willamette Valley locations accept working washers and dryers.
• Community Warehouse (Portland) — Provides appliances to families transitioning into stable housing.
• Furniture Share (Eugene) — Accepts working appliances in Lane County.

Appliances should be clean, fully functional, and less than 15 years old. Front-load washers should be free of mold odor. For more donation options, check our guide on where to donate appliances in Oregon.

Scrap Metal Value

Washers and dryers are primarily steel, which makes them attractive to scrap metal recyclers. A washing machine typically yields $10 to $25 in scrap value; a dryer yields $8 to $20.

How Scrap Recycling Works

• Call local scrap yards to confirm they accept appliances and get current pricing.
• Some scrap haulers will come to your home for free if you have enough metal to make the trip worthwhile. A washer-dryer pair usually meets that threshold.
• Post on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace that you have a free washer/dryer for scrap. Metal scrappers actively monitor these listings and may pick up within hours.

In the Portland metro area, scrap yards like Schnitzer Steel, Pacific Metals Recycling, and others accept household appliances. Eugene, Salem, and Bend also have scrap metal facilities.

Transfer Stations

Oregon transfer stations accept washers and dryers at standard weight-based rates. Since these appliances do not typically contain refrigerants, there is no surcharge for special handling.

• Metro Transfer Stations (Portland): $15 to $30 depending on weight.
• Lane County (Eugene): $12 to $25 at Glenwood Transfer Station.
• Marion County (Salem): $10 to $25 at the county transfer station.

You will need a truck or trailer. Washers should have all water drained before transport. Secure both units with ratchet straps for the trip.

Preparing for Removal

Washing Machine Preparation

1. Run an empty cycle to drain remaining water.
2. Turn off the hot and cold water supply valves behind the machine.
3. Disconnect the water supply hoses and drain the residual water into a bucket.
4. Unplug the power cord.
5. If it has shipping bolts (check the manual), consider reinstalling them for transport to prevent drum damage.

Dryer Preparation

1. Unplug the power cord. For gas dryers, turn off the gas supply valve first.
2. Disconnect the dryer vent duct from the back of the machine.
3. Clean out the lint trap and any accessible duct areas.
4. For gas dryers, cap the gas line if you will not be connecting a new unit immediately.

Cost Comparison

For a comprehensive look at all appliance disposal options, see our guide on the best way to get rid of old appliances in Oregon.