Quick answer: To disconnect a washing machine, switch it off and unplug it, then turn off the hot and cold water valves behind it, usually by turning the handle a quarter turn so it sits across the pipe. Pull the machine out slowly, have a bucket and towels ready, unscrew the fill hose or hoses from the valves and lift the drain hose out of the standpipe or sink trap. Drain any water left inside through the filter at the bottom front, then fit blanking caps to the valves if the machine is not being replaced straight away.
Whether you are moving house, replacing an old machine or getting rid of a broken one, disconnecting a washing machine is a job most people can do themselves in around twenty minutes. You do not usually need a plumber, just a few simple tools and something to catch the water. This guide walks you through it step by step.
What you need
- An old towel or two and a shallow tray or baking dish
- A bucket
- A pair of grips or an adjustable spanner, in case a hose is tight
- Blanking caps for the valves if the machine is not being replaced straight away
- A second person, as most washing machines weigh between 60kg and 90kg
How to disconnect a washing machine step by step
- Switch off and unplug. Turn the machine off at the wall and pull out the plug. If it is wired into a fused spur rather than a plug, switch the spur off and call an electrician to disconnect it.
- Turn off the water. Find the valves on the pipes behind the machine. Most have a small blue lever for cold and a red one for hot. Turn each one a quarter turn so the handle sits across the pipe rather than along it.
- Pull the machine out. Lay a towel on the floor to protect it, then rock the machine gently from side to side as you ease it forward. Check the hoses have enough slack and do not yank them.
- Unscrew the fill hoses. Put the tray under the valve and unscrew the hose by hand, turning anticlockwise. A little water will come out. If it is tight, use grips gently.
- Remove the drain hose. The grey or white drain hose either hooks into a standpipe or is clamped to a spigot on the sink trap. Lift it out or loosen the clip and pull it off, keeping the end higher than the machine until it is over the bucket.
- Drain the leftover water. Open the small flap at the bottom front of the machine, place the tray underneath and slowly unscrew the filter. There may be a few litres, so empty the tray as you go.
- Cap the valves. If you are not fitting a new machine straight away, screw blanking caps onto the valves. If the drain was connected to the sink trap, cap the spigot too.
Can I disconnect a washing machine myself?
Yes. As long as your machine has a normal plug and the water is fed through standard push on or screw on valves, it is a simple DIY job. Call a plumber if the valves are seized, if there are no isolating valves at all, or if anything is leaking after you have turned them off. Call an electrician if the machine is hard wired into the wall.
Moving the machine? Fit the transit bolts
If you are taking your washing machine to a new home rather than getting rid of it, refit the transit bolts that came with it. They lock the drum in place so it cannot bang around and damage the bearings and springs on the journey. If you have lost them, replacement sets are cheap and widely available online.
Common problems and how to fix them
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Valve will not turn | Do not force it. Turn off the water at the main stopcock instead and call a plumber. |
| Hose is stuck on the valve | Wrap a cloth around it and use grips gently. Old rubber washers can stick. |
| Water keeps dripping from the valve | The valve may be worn. Turn off the stopcock and cap or replace the valve. |
| Machine will not slide out | Check the feet have not dug into the floor and that hoses are not caught behind it. |
| Drain filter will not open | Turn it slowly anticlockwise and use a coin or flat screwdriver in the slot if there is one. |
What to do with the old washing machine
Old washing machines count as electrical waste and must not be dumped or left in the street. You can ask the retailer to take it away when your new one is delivered, take it to your local household waste recycling centre, book a council bulky waste collection or use a licensed collector. If it still works, local reuse groups and charity shops that sell electricals may take it.
If you are in Kent, Rubbish Removal 24 can collect it from inside your home once it is disconnected, often the same or next day. See our fridge and appliance removal service or our sofa and furniture removal for other large items.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to disconnect a washing machine?
Around fifteen to thirty minutes for most machines, including draining the leftover water.
Do I need to turn off the main water supply?
Not usually. The isolating valves behind the machine are enough. Use the main stopcock only if those valves are faulty or missing.
How much water comes out when you disconnect a washing machine?
Usually a cup or two from the hoses and a few litres from the drain filter. Have towels and a tray ready.
Can I leave the valves uncapped?
It is not a good idea. If someone knocks a valve open, water will pour out. Blanking caps cost very little and stop that happening.
Is it the same process for a washer dryer?
Yes. A washer dryer disconnects the same way. A separate vented tumble dryer just needs unplugging and the vent hose removing.
Written by the Rubbish Removal 24 team, licensed waste carriers with more than seven years of experience. Updated November 2026.
