About to upgrade to a fancy new washing machine? Or are you moving house and want to take your trusty appliance with you? Either way, you'll need to know how to safely disconnect your washing machine.
And luckily, the process is quite simple. But you'll still need some pointers to avoid a shock or a slippery floor, which is why we've put together this handy guide for safely disconnecting washing machines.
It's worth saying that here at Currys, we offer a washing machine installation service that can include removing and recycling your old machine. So, if you don't feel confident doing it yourself — you can count on us!
Why you might need to disconnect your washing machine
Here are most of the reasons why you might consider disconnecting your washing machine:
Moving house: If you're relocating and want to keep your current washing machine, you'll need to disconnect and drain it before transporting.
Replacing your washing machine: Old appliance on the blink? You'll have to get it out before installing the new one in its place.
Cleaning: If you need to clean behind or under your washing machine, or even the appliance itself, you'll probably want to disconnect it to get to those hard-to-reach spots.
Renovations: Planning on giving your laundry room or kitchen a rejig? You'll have to disconnect your washing machine if you want to move it somewhere else.
Repairs: If you're having work done on the plumbing in your home, you might need to remove your washing machine to allow access to the pipes. Or if you're getting the machine itself repaired, it could need disconnecting before being worked on.
Tools and preparation
Removing a washing machine requires some simple tools and items:
Cardboard or carpet: This is to protect your floor when moving the machine.
Pliers: You might need these to remove the hoses from the back of your machine and pipework.
Bucket: This is to catch any water that may leak when removing the hoses.
Towel: It's handy to also have one or two of these placed on the floor around your bucket.
Trolley: If you need to move your machine out of your house after disconnecting it, a two-wheeled hand truck will save you time (and your back!)
Step-by-step guide for disconnecting a washing machine
Removing your washing machine will be a doddle if you follow our instructions below. You can also check out this short video for a quick step-by-step guide:
Turning off the power and water
Turn off the power: You'll want to switch off your washing machine and unplug it from the mains so it's safe.
Switch off the water supply: Look for the water valve behind or near your washing machine and then turn the blue tap clockwise to stop the water flow. Most modern machines only need a single cold water supply, but some older laundry appliances will have two — one for cold water, the other for hot water. If that’s the case, turn off both valves.
Please note: If your washing machine is under a countertop and plugged into a mains socket located behind it, just turn off the appliance for now. You'll have to move it first to access the plug. And if the water valve is behind your machine too, just skip to the next step. But to be extra safe, you could always turn off your mains water supply. You'll probably find this under your kitchen sink.
Moving the washing machine
Before moving your machine, you might want to put some cardboard, carpet, or a bit of scrap vinyl flooring in front of it. This is so that when you pull the appliance out, it won't scratch your floor. Once you've done that, here's what you should do next:
Open your washing machine's door: This is so you can grip the top edge under the door with both hands.
Lift slightly and pull: When moving the machine towards you, do it slowly to prevent injury or tearing the hoses.
Turn the machine: Angle your machine between 45 and 90 degrees once you've pulled it out a bit so you can easily access the back of it.
If you couldn't unplug your machine or turn off the water valve because your machine was in the way, make sure you do so now before moving onto the next part.
Disconnecting the hoses
This is the messiest part of the job, but it won't be if you stick to these steps:
Place a bucket under the water valve: This is so that it catches anything that spills out of the pipe. It might be handy to also put a towel on the floor around this area.
Unscrew cold water inlet pipe: Turn anti-clockwise with your hands to loosen the hose. You might have to use your pliers if it’s too stiff. Then just place that end of the hose in the bucket. If your machine has a hot water hose as well, remove it the same way.
Remove hose from washing machine: Move your bucket under the back of your washing machine and unscrew the hose (or both hoses if you have cold and hot water supplies). Make sure to drain any remaining water from the hose by holding it up over the bucket.
Detach the wastewater hose: This is the thicker hose coming out of the back of your machine. You can usually just pull this away from the waste pipe it's attached to (usually under the sink). Make sure to drain this hose into your bucket too.
And that's it! Your washing machine is now ready to be moved for recycling or to go pack away ready for your next home.
How to move a disconnected washing machine
Now that you've detached the hoses from your washing machine, you'll need to make sure any other loose parts, like the drawer for your detergent, are secured so they don't fall out. Regular tape can work well for this, or you could just use some bungee cords instead.
As you probably felt when you pulled your washing machine out — it’s pretty heavy! That's why it'd be a good idea to use something like a hand truck which you can wheel your washing machine around with. And if you're intending on loading it into a car or moving van, get someone to help you lift it. You'll then want to strap in the machine so it doesn't move and slide around when steering and braking.
What to do with your old washing machine
If you’re upgrading your washing machine, it can be tempting to just get rid of your old one and forget about it. But there are a few more responsible ways to dispose of your old appliance that you should consider:
Donate it: If your old washing machine still works, then think about donating it to a charity that could use it. Or if someone you know needs one, you could offer it to them instead.
Sell it: Washing machine still in good nick? You could sell it on a local market site and then put that money towards a new appliance.
Recycle it: If you can’t find anyone who wants to take your old machine off your hands or it’s faulty, don’t just head to the dump. Instead, recycle it. Here at Currys, we can take your machine away when we deliver your new one and dispose of it properly. Just add the service when you place your order, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Learn more about recycling at Currys. And for more ways of responsibly getting rid of electricals and appliances, read our how to get rid of your unwanted tech guide.
Any more questions?
Now you know how to disconnect a washing machine — you'll be a DIY pro in no time! If you want to find out more about these appliances, check out our how to open a stuck washing machine door and how to pick the right washing machine settings for your clothes guides.
