The short answer
The City of Cleveland picks up appliances during bulk week, the first full week of each month, if they are drained of coolants and fluids. The store delivering your new appliance may take the old one, if you ask when you buy it. Scrap collectors will take metal appliances. And a junk hauler takes anything, any week: with JunkRabbit, $164 for a standard fridge, $133 for a washer, $128 for a dryer.
1. The City (or your suburb)
Who: City of Cleveland waste collection, or your suburb's contracted hauler.
When: In the city, bulk week only, the first full week of the month, on your regular collection day. Up to three bulk items per home.
Conditions: drained of coolants and fluids. Lakewood asks you to call first for refrigerant appliances. Cleveland Heights wants refrigerator doors off. Euclid wants appliance doors removed.
Who carries it: you. It has to be on the tree lawn.
Best for: a single, drained appliance that is already in the garage, during the right week.
2. The retailer delivering the new one
Who: the store or delivery crew bringing the replacement.
When: on delivery day.
Conditions: varies by retailer. Usually you have to request haul-away at checkout, the old unit has to be disconnected, and it has to be the same type as what is being delivered. A new washer usually means they take the old washer, not the old dryer in the corner too.
Best for: straight swaps where you remembered to tick the box.
3. Scrap collectors
Who: independent scrappers and scrap yards.
When: whenever they are around.
Conditions: they want metal. Washers, dryers, water heaters, stoves and furnaces are attractive. Fridges and freezers with refrigerant are a different story, because the refrigerant has to be recovered first under federal rules.
Best for: a metal appliance you have already put out in the driveway.
4. A junk hauler
Who: a junk removal company.
When: any week. With JunkRabbit, 7 days a week, 8am to midnight, same-day when you book by 4 PM.
Conditions: very few. The appliance does not need to be drained, does not need its doors off, and does not need to be on the tree lawn. Gas and water lines should be disconnected first.
Who carries it: the crew, from any floor, basement included, no stairs fee.
Best for: basement appliances, fridges with refrigerant, more than one appliance, or any week other than bulk week.
5. You, with a truck
Who: you and a helper.
Where: City of Cleveland residents can use the Ridge Road Transfer Station at 3727 Ridge Rd, Monday to Saturday 9 to 3, up to 4 cubic yards per visit, or the Carr Center at 5600 Carnegie Ave. Suburban residents need their own city's drop-off, such as Lakewood's on Berea Road or Shaker Heights' Saturday drop-off at 15600 Chagrin Blvd, once per household per quarter.
Conditions: refrigerant appliances still need their refrigerant recovered. Check with the site before you bring a fridge, freezer, dehumidifier or AC unit.
Who carries it: you, up the basement stairs, onto the truck, and off again at the gate. A washer or a water heater on a dolly up a pre-war basement stair is the hardest part of the day.
Best for: City residents with a pickup truck, a strong helper and an appliance already at ground level.
Three Cleveland appliance calls
A new washer delivered to a Lakewood double
The retailer takes the old washer on delivery. The dryer stays, because they only swap like for like, and it's in the basement. Pickup for the dryer alone: $128.
A Garfield Heights basement after a water heater failed
The plumber installs the new tank but leaves the old one, plus a dehumidifier that died in the same flood: $131 + $77 = $208.
A Euclid kitchen remodel
Euclid wants appliance doors off before set-out, and the remodel produces three appliances at once. Fridge, gas range and dishwasher: $164 + $137 + $109 = $410, carried out with the doors still on.
JunkRabbit appliance prices
| Item | Flat price |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator (Standard) | $164 |
| Refrigerator (Side-by-Side / French Door) | $183 |
| Washer | $133 |
| Dryer | $128 |
| Dishwasher | $109 |
| Stove / Oven / Range (Gas) | $137 |
| Water Heater (Tank) | $131 |
| Furnace | $131 |
| Freezer (Upright) | $149 |
| Dehumidifier | $77 |
Retailer took the new washer's predecessor but left the dryer? That one is $128. Fridge plus upright freezer from a basement: $164 + $149 = $313.
Which one to call
- Buying a new one and it is a direct swap: ask the retailer.
- It is the first full week, it is drained, and you can get it to the tree lawn: use the City.
- It is a metal appliance in your driveway and you are not in a hurry: a scrapper may take it.
- It is in the basement, it has refrigerant, there is more than one, or it is not bulk week: book a pickup on the instant quote.
Whichever you choose, do the same prep: unplug it a day ahead, let a freezer defrost onto towels, have gas and water lines disconnected, and clear the path from the appliance to the door. In winter, shovel and salt the side steps. In Cleveland's older houses, the basement stair is usually the tightest point, so measure it against the appliance before anyone starts lifting.
Frequently asked questions
Will the City of Cleveland pick up my old fridge?
During bulk week, if it has been drained of coolants and fluids. Bulk week is the first full week of each month.
Will the store take my old appliance?
Often, if you request haul-away when you buy the new one. Policies vary by retailer, so ask at checkout.
Who picks up appliances any day of the week?
A junk hauler. JunkRabbit picks up 7 days a week, 8am to midnight, with same-day pickup when you book by 4 PM.
Do I need to drain the appliance for you?
No. Just have gas and water lines disconnected. The crew handles the rest.
How much is it?
A standard fridge is $164, washer $133, dryer $128, dishwasher $109. Order minimum $100.
Can I leave an old appliance on the tree lawn for scrappers?
Outside bulk week, that's a set-out outside the City's rules, and it may just sit there. If a scrapper doesn't take it, it's still yours. Use bulk week, a drop-off, or a pickup instead.