How to Get Rid of an Old Washer, Dryer, Stove, Dishwasher, or Water Heater in Orlando & Orange County, FL

✓ Last verified Oct 26, 2026 against official sources · see sources

Step 1: Find out who picks up your trash

Many homes with an "Orlando, FL" address are actually in unincorporated Orange County, and the two have different appliance rules. Check the city's Do I Live in City Limits? map first.

Inside City of Orlando limits: two free items on yard waste day

The city's Get Large Items Picked Up page says it will pick up two large items free on your yard waste day, as long as the crew can load them by hand. You don't need to schedule it. The appliances it names are standard household refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes washers and dryers, and it also lists toilets, sinks, "or other items that can be loaded onto the truck by hand."

How to set it out: 1. Take the door off. Florida law requires it for washers, dryers, and other airtight appliances (see below). 2. Put it at the edge of your property, before the curb. Don't block the street, sidewalk, mailboxes, trees, poles, fire hydrants, storm drains, or overhead utilities. 3. Have it out before 6 a.m. on your yard waste day. 4. If it's too big or heavy to load by hand, the crew will let you know, and you can schedule a claw-truck pickup at 407.246.2314. The city says that cost "will depend on the type and amount of items." It doesn't publish a price. 5. More than two items? The city suggests requesting a dumpster or using a dumpster bag it can pick up.

Unincorporated Orange County: appliances go out on garbage day

Orange County's curbside collection page says items too large for the garbage cart, "such as furniture, mattresses, appliances, TVs, and up to four passenger car tires," are collected the same day as garbage.

• Set them out no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before and no later than 6 a.m. on collection day.
• Keep large items to 3 cubic yards a week (the county describes that as "about the size of three stoves").
• Freon-containing devices such as freezers and refrigerators are not collected. The county's household hazardous waste page says the same for air conditioners and suggests having the delivery company take the old one.
• Automobile parts and household hazardous waste aren't taken at the curb either.
• Unsure about a specific appliance? Call the Solid Waste Hotline at 407-836-6601.

Florida law: take the door off first

Florida Statute § 823.07 makes it unlawful to discard or abandon a refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer, or similar airtight unit with an interior of 1.5 cubic feet or more without removing the door. A child can climb inside and suffocate. For a front-loading washer or a dryer, unscrew the door hinges and set the door beside the machine.

Also unplug the appliance, drain any water from a washer's hoses or a water heater's tank, and coil the cord so it doesn't trail into the street.

Haul it yourself: Orange County Landfill and transfer stations

Rates below were approved by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners and took effect October 1, 2026 (official page). The minimum charge is $10.00.

All three are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Things to know at the gate: - Cover or tie down your load. Uncovered loads are charged a double fee. - Weigh out. If you don't weigh out on the way out, your fee is set to the full deposit you paid. - Mixed loads are charged the higher rate. - Payment: cash, check, or any major credit card. - Fridge, freezer, or AC unit? The county sends Freon appliances to the Landfill ($10.00 minimum). Don't cut the refrigerant lines.

A single washer, dryer, or stove usually weighs a few hundred pounds or less, so it's likely to come in at or near the $10 minimum. The scale house sets the final charge.

Still works? Donate it

Both of these charities list appliances among what they take. Call ahead, since they only accept clean, working items.

Buying a new appliance? Ask the store about haul-away of the old one when you schedule delivery; Orange County recommends this for Freon appliances.

Need it carried out of the house?

If the old washer is in a second-floor laundry room or the water heater is in a closet, a local junk-removal crew can carry it out and take it to the landfill for you.

What we couldn't verify

• Stoves, ranges, and water heaters inside City of Orlando limits: the city's free list names refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, and dryers, plus "other items that can be loaded onto the truck by hand." It doesn't name stoves or water heaters. Call 407.246.2314 before setting one out.
• Water heaters in unincorporated Orange County: the county says "appliances" go out as large items, but doesn't mention water heaters specifically. Call 407-836-6601 to confirm.
• Which landfill rate applies to a non-Freon appliance: the county's rate table doesn't say whether a washer or stove is weighed as Class I or Class III. Ask the scale house. Porter and McLeod Road don't take Class III loads, so the Landfill is the safest choice.
• Claw-truck price inside the city: Orlando doesn't publish one; it depends on what and how much you're throwing out.
• Scrap-metal recyclers: some private recyclers buy or take metal appliances, but we only list official and charity sources, so call any recycler directly for its rules.