A broken washing machine is more than an inconvenience when money is tight. Laundromat trips add up, and a new washer and dryer can easily cost more than a month’s bills.
This guide explains where a free washer and dryer realistically comes from, which assistance programs can help (and which usually can’t), how to check a second-hand set before you haul it home, and when a space-saving washer-dryer combo makes sense.
Quick answer
Most free washers and dryers come from people giving away working machines on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Freecycle, Nextdoor or local Buy Nothing groups, and from charities such as local Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul branches when they have donated stock.
There is no national government program that hands out free washers and dryers. Government help is narrower: disaster aid can replace a damaged washer or dryer, and income-based rebates can cover part or, for some low-income households, all of a new heat pump dryer up to a set cap. In the United States, calling 211 is the quickest way to find local charities and programs.
Before accepting any free set, check that it runs, that the hoses and plugs are sound, that your home has the right hookups, and that the model hasn’t been recalled.
Is getting a free washer and dryer realistic?
Yes, but it usually takes patience rather than paperwork. Working washers and dryers change hands for free all the time when people move, renovate or upgrade. Charity stock is less predictable and often limited to people referred by a caseworker.
A “free” set can still cost something. Budget for transport, new hoses or a dryer power cord, and possibly a plumber or electrician if your hookups don’t match.
Where to find a free washer and dryer
1. Local giveaway groups and listings
These are the most reliable free sources, because the supply is ordinary people clearing out working machines.
- Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist: use the free filter or search “free washer” and “free dryer”. Listings go quickly, so set alerts and check daily.
- Buy Nothing groups and Freecycle: neighbourhood gifting groups where items are given away, not sold. Posting a short “wanted” request can work, too.
- Nextdoor: useful for very local giveaways, especially from people moving house.
- Friends, family, landlords and workplaces: ask around. Someone upgrading their laundry is often glad to avoid paying for removal.
Arrange pickup quickly, bring at least one helper and a hand truck (dolly), and ask whether the seller can show the machine running.
2. Charities and community organisations
Some local branches of The Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities can provide donated appliances or vouchers to households in need, but this varies from branch to branch and depends on what has been donated.
Most ask for proof of income or a referral from a caseworker. Habitat for Humanity ReStores sell donated appliances at reduced prices rather than giving them away, but they can be a good low-cost fallback.
In the United States, the free and confidential 211 helpline run by United Way can tell you which local charities, churches or community action agencies currently help with appliances. Call 2-1-1 or search by ZIP code.
3. Senior, disability and family support services
Older adults, people with disabilities and families working with a social worker sometimes get help through their caseworker or local agency on aging. Ask directly about appliances. These programs rarely advertise washer and dryer help, and what is available depends on your area and circumstances.
Government help: what it can and can’t do
Government programs rarely give you a washer and dryer outright. They can, however, cover part or all of the cost in specific situations.
|
Program |
Who it’s for |
What it can cover |
Free? |
|
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, US) |
Income-eligible households |
Mainly heating and cooling bills; some states fund appliance replacement, but washers and dryers are rarely included |
Rarely |
|
Federal home energy rebates (US, state-run) |
Low- and moderate-income households in states that have launched a program |
Up to $840 toward a new ENERGY STAR heat pump dryer |
Sometimes, for lower-income households |
|
FEMA disaster assistance (US) |
People whose own appliances were damaged in a federally declared disaster |
Repair or replacement of standard household appliances, including washers |
Yes, if eligible |
|
No Interest Loans, or NILs (Australia) |
People on lower incomes or with a Health Care or Pension Card |
A loan of up to $2,000 for essentials such as a washing machine |
No, it’s an interest-free loan |
LIHEAP
LIHEAP is a federal program run by each state to help with energy bills. Some states use part of their funding to replace failing appliances, usually heating systems, water heaters or fridges. Ask your local LIHEAP office or community action agency, but don’t count on a washer or dryer being covered.
Heat pump dryer rebates
The Inflation Reduction Act funded state-run rebates for efficient electric appliances, now officially called High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebates (HEEHR). A heat pump dryer is a ventless electric dryer that recycles warm air instead of blowing it outside, which uses less energy.
Rebates cover up to $840 toward an ENERGY STAR heat pump dryer, and some states also accept heat pump washer-dryer combos. Households earning under 80% of their area median income can have up to 100% of the cost covered, up to that cap; those between 80% and 150% get up to half.
Availability is patchy. As of mid-2026, only around a dozen states and Washington, DC had launched programs. Under US Department of Energy guidance issued in May 2026, rebates generally now apply to upgrading existing electric equipment (or to new homes), not to replacing a gas dryer. Check your state energy office for current rules before you buy, because rebates are not paid retroactively.
Disaster assistance
If a federally declared disaster such as a flood or hurricane damaged your washer or dryer, FEMA’s personal property assistance can help repair or replace standard household appliances. It covers your own appliances, not ones your landlord supplied, and it is limited to what insurance doesn’t pay. Apply through DisasterAssistance.gov or the FEMA helpline.
If you live in Australia
Australia doesn’t have a scheme that gives out free washing machines. The closest option is the No Interest Loans program (NILs), delivered by Good Shepherd, which lends up to $2,000 for essentials such as a fridge or washing machine with no interest or fees. You need to show you can repay it. Local Salvos and Vinnies stores and community gifting groups are the main free routes.
How to check a free or used washer and dryer
A free machine is only a bargain if it works and is safe. Run through these checks before you load it into a van.
- Confirm your hookups first. Washers need hot and cold water taps and a drain. Dryers are either electric (in the US, usually a 240-volt outlet) or gas, and need a vent unless they are ventless models. A gas dryer is no use in an all-electric home.
- Measure the space and the doorways you will carry it through.
- Ask to see it running. Let the washer fill, agitate, drain and spin. Run the dryer for a few minutes to make sure it tumbles and heats.
- Look for warning signs: rust on the drum or cabinet, a musty smell, cracked or bulging hoses, a damaged power cord, loud grinding or banging, or water under the machine.
- Check for recalls. Note the brand and model number from the label (often inside the door or on the back) and look it up on your country’s product recall site before using it.
- Check for pests. Used appliances can carry cockroaches. Look around the base, back panel and controls, and clean the machine before bringing it indoors.
Simple machines with dials rather than touchscreens are often easier and cheaper to repair, which matters when there’s no warranty.
Installing it safely
Fit new fill hoses rather than reusing old ones, and check connections for drips after the first few loads. A slow leak behind a washer can quietly damage floors; our guide to how water affects engineered hardwood floors explains why laundries need water-tolerant flooring.
Gas dryers must be connected by a qualified, licensed professional. If you need new water lines, a drain or a dedicated circuit, use a licensed plumber or electrician; our overview of what licensed plumbers do and how to choose one covers the checks to make before hiring.
Dryers also need regular cleaning. According to the US Fire Administration, failure to clean is the leading factor in home clothes dryer fires. Empty the lint filter after every load, clean the vent duct at least once a year, and don’t run the dryer overnight or while you’re out. Plug large appliances straight into a wall socket rather than a power board, as our practical home safety tips explain.
Washer-dryer combo or separate machines?
A washer-dryer combo (also called an all-in-one) washes and dries in the same drum. It suits small homes and apartments with room for only one machine, while separate machines suit larger households.
Most combos are ventless. They dry clothes with either a condenser, which cools moist air so the water drains away, or a heat pump, which recycles warm air and uses less energy. Neither uses steam to dry clothes.
|
Washer-dryer combo |
Separate washer and dryer |
|
|
Space |
One machine’s footprint |
Two machines, or stacked |
|
Drying capacity |
Often about half the wash load; check both figures |
Matches or exceeds the washer |
|
Cycle time |
Longer; full wash-and-dry cycles can take several hours |
Shorter; you can wash one load while drying another |
|
Venting |
Usually ventless |
Vented dryers need an outside vent |
|
Repairs |
One fault can stop both washing and drying |
One machine can keep working |
Capacities vary widely by model and are listed in kilograms in Australia and cubic feet in the US, so compare the washing and drying figures on each machine’s specification sheet rather than relying on averages.
Final thoughts
A free washer and dryer is most likely to come from your own community: a neighbour moving house, a Buy Nothing group or a charity with donated stock. Government help is real but narrow, so treat rebates, loans and disaster aid as backups for specific situations.
Whichever route you take, check the machine runs, your hookups match and the dryer gets cleaned regularly. For more practical guides to looking after your home, browse our home improvement articles.
