Advice · 4 min read · Updated 6 November 2026
Can you sell or donate an old appliance? Reuse options in the UK
Is your appliance worth reusing?
Reuse is better for the environment than recycling, but only when the appliance is genuinely useful to someone else. Most charities and buyers have similar standards.
| Appliance condition | Best route |
|---|---|
| Working, clean, under about 8 years old | Sell or donate |
| Working but very old or inefficient | Recycle, or give away for spares |
| Minor fault with a known fix | Sell as spares or repair |
| Broken, rusted or missing parts | Recycle |
| Fridge with damaged pipes or not cooling | Recycle through an approved treatment facility |
| Subject to an unresolved safety recall | Contact the manufacturer first, do not pass on |
Check for recalls first
Several large recalls in recent years have involved tumble dryers, washing machines and fridge freezers. Before selling or donating any appliance, find the model and serial number, usually on a plate inside the door or on the back, and check it on the manufacturer's website or a recall checker such as the one run by Electrical Safety First. The UK government also publishes product safety alerts and recalls. Selling an appliance you know is under a safety recall without the fix being carried out is a serious risk to the buyer.
If a recall applies, the manufacturer will normally repair, modify or replace the appliance free of charge, so it is worth registering it even if you are about to pass it on.
Donating to charity
Some national charities with furniture and electrical stores collect large appliances, as do many local furniture reuse projects, often for free if the item is in good condition. Charities that resell electricals must make sure they are safe, so they normally test them and may refuse items without a plug, manual or all the shelves.
- Check the charity accepts electricals in your area before booking
- Clean the appliance thoroughly and dry it out
- Keep all shelves, racks, drawers and filters with it
- Include the manual if you still have it
- Expect a wait for a collection slot, sometimes a week or more
Selling privately
Online marketplaces and local listings work well for newer appliances in good condition. Be honest in the listing about age, faults and dimensions, and include a photo of the rating plate so buyers can check the model.
- State the exact width, depth and height
- Say whether it needs disconnecting and who will do it
- Ask buyers to bring help and suitable transport
- Do not let buyers disconnect gas appliances themselves
- Take payment before the appliance leaves the property
Meet buyers at the property only when someone else is at home if you can, and keep the appliance near the front door so strangers do not need to walk through the house. If the buyer turns up without help or a suitable vehicle, it is fine to rearrange rather than risk an injury or damage on the stairs.
Selling for scrap
Scrap metal dealers in England and Wales must be licensed by the council under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, and they are not allowed to pay for scrap in cash. The scrap value of a single washing machine or cooker is low, and fridges and freezers carry a treatment cost, so do not expect to be paid much, if anything. Any scrap collector should be licensed and able to tell you where the appliance is going.
When recycling is the right answer
If nobody wants it, recycling still recovers most of the steel, copper, aluminium and plastic. Your options are retailer take-back when buying a replacement, a council bulky waste collection, your local household waste recycling centre, or a registered waste carrier. Whichever you choose, the appliance should end up at a licensed WEEE treatment or recycling facility.
Getting a reused appliance out safely
Whoever is taking the appliance, the practical steps are the same. Unplug and isolate it, drain washing machines and dishwashers, defrost fridges and freezers a day ahead, and tape doors shut before moving. Two people are usually needed for a fridge freezer, washing machine or cooker, and the route out should be clear of rugs and obstacles.
If you are donating to a charity that collects, check whether their team will carry the appliance from inside the property or only from the ground floor or front door. Some charities only collect from the kerbside or ground floor, which can be difficult for upstairs flats. In that case, a paid collector may still be the practical option, and a good one will pass working appliances on for reuse where possible.
Frequently asked questions
Will a charity take a broken washing machine?
Generally no. Charities that resell electrical items need them to be working and safe, and most do not have the facilities to repair large appliances. Some community repair projects or local reuse schemes take items with minor faults, but a washing machine that leaks, will not spin or has a damaged drum is usually better recycled through a licensed facility.
Do I need to defrost a fridge before donating it?
Yes. Switch it off at least 24 hours before collection, leave the door open, mop up the water and dry the inside. Clean the shelves and seals and remove any smells, as charities will refuse fridges that are dirty or mouldy. Keep it upright when it is moved, and tell the new owner to wait several hours before switching it on.
Can I sell a gas cooker second hand?
You can sell one, but it must be disconnected by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the buyer will need a Gas Safe engineer to install it at their property. Many charities do not accept gas appliances at all because of the extra safety checks involved. Make sure the cooker has its flame failure devices and is not under any safety recall before listing it.
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- Fridge and freezer disposal
- Washing machine and dryer removal
- Dishwashers and small kitchen appliances
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