You replaced the fridge, the old washer finally died, or you inherited a house full of appliances that don't fit your life. Now what? A lot of people default to either leaving the appliance in the garage indefinitely or hauling it to the curb and hoping for the best. Neither is ideal. Here's a practical breakdown of your actual options in Fort Collins — what each costs, what's realistic, and when to call for help.
Option 1: Donate Working Appliances
If your appliance still runs, donation is almost always the right first move. Someone else can use it, you get a tax receipt, and you keep it out of a landfill. The key word is working — donation centers can't accept appliances that need significant repair.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore — Fort Collins
ReStore is the best local option for appliances. They accept refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, ranges, and microwaves — as long as they're in good working condition and reasonably clean. They sell them at below-retail prices and the proceeds fund Habitat builds in Larimer County.
What they need: Appliances should run without issue. Cosmetic wear is fine, but broken heating elements, dead compressors, or drum issues are not. Call ahead if you're unsure — they do occasionally decline items at the door.
Drop-off: They accept drop-offs during scheduled hours (call ahead to confirm, as hours change seasonally). Large appliances may need a scheduled donation appointment. You'll get a receipt you can use for your taxes.
ARC Thrift — Fort Collins
ARC accepts smaller appliances like microwaves, toaster ovens, and window AC units. They're generally more flexible than ReStore but don't take large appliances like full-size fridges or washers at most locations. Good option for small kitchen appliances.
Goodwill — Fort Collins locations
Goodwill accepts small appliances but typically not large ones (no washers, dryers, or fridges). Check with your local store before loading up the truck.
Option 2: Sell It on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist
Working appliances have real resale value, and Fort Collins has an active Marketplace scene. What actually sells:
- Refrigerators: Even older models move quickly if priced right ($50–$150 for a working unit in average condition). Extra garage fridges are perennially popular.
- Washing machines and dryers: Sell well as a pair ($100–$250 for the set). Separate units move slower.
- Chest freezers: Consistently one of the fastest-selling appliances on Marketplace. People always want these.
- Dishwashers: Harder to sell unless they're relatively modern. Older built-in units almost never sell because installation is a job.
- Window AC units: Seasonal — sell fast in April/May, slow in fall.
Be honest in your listing about the condition and age. "Works great, selling because we upgraded" goes further than a vague listing. Include the model number so buyers can look up specs. Price to move — people on Marketplace are bargain hunting.
Realistic tip: If you list it and it doesn't sell within a week, drop the price or donate it. Don't let a $75 appliance hold up your cleanout for a month.
Option 3: Recycle It at the Larimer County Landfill
If the appliance doesn't work and isn't worth selling, recycling is better than landfilling. The Larimer County Landfill on Timberline Road accepts appliances for recycling at a modest fee (typically $10–$20 per unit depending on size and weight). Metals are recovered, and refrigerants are properly handled.
You'll need a vehicle large enough to haul it. Appliances are heavy — a standard refrigerator is 200–300 lbs, a washer is 150–200 lbs. If you don't have a truck and a strong helper, factor that in.
The Refrigerant / Freon Question
If you have a refrigerator, window AC unit, or dehumidifier, it contains refrigerant (commonly called Freon, though modern units use different refrigerants). Under EPA Section 608, refrigerant must be recovered by a certified technician before the appliance is scrapped — you can't just puncture the lines and dump it.
In practice, if you drop a fridge at the landfill or give it to a recycling company, they handle refrigerant recovery as part of the process — you don't need to do anything separately. The problem comes if you try to haul a fridge to an informal scrap yard that doesn't do proper refrigerant recovery. Stick to the landfill or a licensed appliance recycler.
When we haul appliances as part of a garage cleanout, we take them to facilities that handle refrigerant properly. You don't need to worry about this step.
Option 4: Call a Junk Removal or Appliance Haul Service
If you don't have a truck, can't lift a refrigerator, or you're dealing with multiple appliances at once, hiring someone to haul is often the cleanest solution. Many people spend a full Saturday trying to move a fridge into a borrowed truck and regret not just calling.
For individual item hauls, some companies charge per item — typically $75–$150 per large appliance, which covers pickup, transport, and proper disposal. If you're doing a full garage cleanout with us, appliances are included in the flat rate — no extra charge per item.
If you're in Loveland or the Centerra area, we cover that too at the same rates.
What Easy Garage Cleaning Does With Appliances
When we do a garage cleanout, we sort appliances into three categories on the spot:
- Working and donable: Goes to Habitat ReStore or ARC. You get the receipt.
- Non-working but recyclable: Goes to the landfill recycling line or a metals recycler. Refrigerants handled properly.
- Pure scrap: Haul and recycle. Metals are recovered where possible.
We handle the logistics so you don't have to schedule three separate trips. If you have questions about a specific appliance situation, check our FAQ or give us a call at (970) 999-1818.
EASY GARAGE CLEANING — FORT COLLINS, CO
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