What Do You Do With Appliances That Don't Work?

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Your home appliances reflect your lifestyle. Your washing machine, dryer, refrigerator, stove, and oven all serve you and your family each day, and they're indispensable parts of your home. Over time, these appliances may no longer work correctly, and you'll need to replace them. So, what should you do with your old appliances? Explore your options for dealing with these appliances, including selling, donating, recycling, and disposing of them.

Sell or Give Away Old Appliances

You're probably familiar with the saying "one person's trash is another person's treasure." When an old appliance no longer works but can be repaired, you may consider selling it or giving it away. If you choose to sell the appliance, you can use the following sources to list it for sale:

• Place an ad on online marketplaces.
• Advertise in your local newspaper's classified section.
• Use social media networks to announce that your appliance is for sale.

When selling an old appliance, be honest about the condition of the item and its operating capabilities. For example, if your dryer has served you well for more than 10 years, but the heating element is no longer working, indicate this problem in the appliance's description so that potential buyers know exactly what repairs may be needed.

If you choose not to sell an old appliance, you may consider giving it away instead. If you do, you should still be clear about any operating issues that you're aware of so that you can be fully transparent about the appliance's condition. Provide an owner's manual or any repair records or receipts if you have them.

Donate Your Old Appliances

If a repair or a replacement part can make an old appliance functional again, you may want to consider donating the appliance. Many charitable organizations offer no-cost pickups for old appliances, a convenience that can save you money and time.

If you decide to pursue the donation route, verify that your charity of choice can accept the item from you. Some organizations may restrict the size and type of appliances they can accept, while others might specifically request donations that are in working order only.

Consider helping those in need in your community by donating your used appliances to one of the following charitable organizations:

• Habitat for Humanity.
• The Salvation Army.
• St. Vincent de Paul.

You may also be able to donate to a local church or non-profit group to help families in your community. Depending on the organization and the appliance you're donating, you might be able to receive a tax deduction for your donation. Consult a tax adviser regarding tax deductibility.

Recycle Your Appliances

If your city or municipality offers recycling in your community, you may be able to take an old appliance to a transfer center or station that accepts large appliances. Before you take your old appliances to these facilities, however, verify which types of appliances they accept and the cost to recycle them. In addition to municipality-owned recycling centers, you may want to consider some of the following recycling options:

• Appliance retailers: While appliance retailers are in the business of selling appliances, many will do more than simply dispose of your old appliance when you purchase a new one and have it brought to your home. Some will offer to recycle your old appliance for you. Ask your local retailer about recycling your old appliance.
• Scrap metal retailers: If you want to try making some money from an old appliance, consider taking it to a scrap metal retailer in your area. Many scrap metal retailers will accept appliances sold as scrap.
• Utility providers: Your local utility provider may provide an appliance recycling program. Some of these utility providers collaborate with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Responsible Appliance Disposal program and can provide pickup and payment as an incentive to recycle.

Dispose of Your Old Appliances

When you have an appliance that you can't donate, give away, recycle, or sell, throwing the item away is an option that's certain to come to your mind. So, how can you dispose of an old appliance safely?

Contact Your Municipal Waste Management Service Provider

Before you place your old appliance at the curb, check with your municipal waste management service provider. You may need to schedule a date to have your old appliance picked up or pay a fee to have it removed from your property.

Rent a Dumpster

Renting a roll-off dumpster from a refuse removal company is a convenient way to dispose of old appliances from your home. You simply load your old items into the dumpster and have the company haul away the dumpster when you're done. This option can be great for homeowners who are renovating their homes and need to get rid of multiple old appliances.

Pair Old Appliance Removal with New Appliance Delivery

When you're shopping for new appliances, think about what you're going to do with the old ones. Many home improvement and appliance retail stores offer old appliance removal when they deliver a new appliance to your home. Some retailers may offer appliance removal for free, while others may charge a fee. Pairing an old appliance's removal with the delivery of a new appliance is a convenient way to dispose of your old appliances without any extra time or effort on your part.

Now that you know about your options for dealing with old appliances that don't work, you can choose which method works best for you so that they don't sit around your house for too long.

However, some appliances might be worth fixing and keeping if they're still in good condition. Automatic Appliance Parts Corporation has been supplying quality appliances and accessories for more than four decades, and we have all the parts you need to repair your favorite appliances. We're a licensed distributor for all major appliance manufacturers, including Frigidaire, GE, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool. Visit us at one of our seven branch locations across the Chicago area, or give us a call today.