Dishwasher removal

How a dishwasher comes out of the kitchen

A freestanding dishwasher is carried upright by two people, one at the front and one at the back, with the door shut and latched. Keeping it upright matters, because the sump at the bottom of the tub holds water even after a drain, and laying it on its back sends that water out past the door seal and filter. A slimline machine goes through any internal door easily but has the same pumps and heater inside. An integrated dishwasher with the door panel still fitted is wider at the front and has no top edge to hold, so it is lifted from underneath, and a loose door panel is carried out on its own.

Everything needs doing before the crew arrives, because they lift and carry but do not disconnect anything. Unplug the dishwasher, turn the water off at the valve, take the inlet hose off the valve and unhook the drain hose from the sink waste or standpipe. Let it drain, leave a towel under it for drips, and keep the door ajar until we arrive or wipe the inside so it is not shut up wet. An integrated machine must already be out of the cabinet slot, as the crew will not unscrew it from the worktop or take off the kickboard and fixings. If your dishwasher is still plumbed in or screwed in place, ask your plumber or kitchen fitter to free it first and we collect it once it is out.

After collection the dishwasher goes to a licensed waste transfer station or treatment facility as waste electrical equipment. The casing and any stainless steel tub are recovered as metal, the circulation and drain pumps are taken out for the copper in their motors, and the plastic racks, spray arms and base tray are separated for recycling. A clean dishwasher in working order may be passed on for reuse where possible. We can tell you where yours ended up and provide a waste transfer note.