White goods left behind

[Lifeandjoy]

Would you keep the washing machine, dishwasher and refrigerator left behind by previous owner? How would you clean them out to make them new/fresh? Or would you just buy new ones?

Keep them - why would you get rid of them if they work? We inherited a Miele dishwasher that lasted nearly a decade - would have been a crying shame to just chuck it.

Deffo! We got left everything in this house (all built in) & it was a major selling point for me.. saved us a fortune. Everything was in good working order & clean.

I hate wasting perfectly useable stuff.. unless it’s filthy, broken or pretty old & naff I think it’d be quite wasteful really. I didn’t think anything of it.. but I suppose before buying this house, I’d lived in several private rentals where obviously you use the goods in the property!

We kept the dishwasher as it’s brilliant. I’d just give appliances a good clean, same as the kitchen and bathrooms.

Eh? Why would you chuck them out?!!!! What on Earth do you think a good clean with soapy water would leave behind?

Just clean them as normal?! You could run a deep clean through the dishwasher, I think you can buy a deep clean cartridge from supermarkets.. the washing machine, given its job is to wash, I imagine it’s pretty clean! Could just pull out the soap tray and give it a scrub? And as for the fridge, just clean it with kitchen spray?!

i kept them when i was left them - the fridge only lasted a few months but the washing machine lasted a good few years
saved me money when i most needed it tbh

Absolutely keep them! We've been married 10+ years and only ever used second hand dishwashers, fridges and freezers. Inherited from relatives, bought off Facebook, left behind by previous owners .....

Clean them with hot water with a bit of bleach in, or kitchen spray if you don't like bleach. Dishwasher you can get cleaning capsules in supermarket to put on a mai ten extra cycle. Washing machine I'd run a 90 degree wash with bleach in after I'd emptied the filters and cleaned the drawer (wear rubber gloves for the filter - someone else's washing machine sludge won't be a nice thought, but once it's gone it's gone).

Are you a clean freak who can’t bear stuff other people have used?

Most people don’t have a problem going in a shower or bath others have used before or using a fridge that looks decent as long as they clean it out and it works.

I think this also depends on how committed you are to being green and re-using etc. Some people would never give re-using a thought and throw good stuff into landfill every week - not just stuff that’s been used by others but that they’ve barely used themselves too. Most people feel un comfortable doing this now and the numbers who’s will go out if their way to repair rather than throw away is growing.

This could be the house where you start re-using and making things last much longer.

If of course items are seriously damaged or dirty beyond cleaning, then you will need to get new ones (or secondhand).

I get great delight from buying refurbished electricals and buying furniture from the local thrift shop or council furniture service. I’ve got items that I’ve had 20 years and which were probably that age when I got them and when I look at them it makes me pleased to know that and they really will have to be giaging up the ghost before I replace them. But perhaps that’s just me.

Fridge, cooker, dishwasher absolutely. I wouldn’t keep a second hand washing machine and couldn’t explain why.

eh ?

Why on earth wouldn't you ?

I don't know what you mean about 'making them clean and fresh' ?

Wombat, I suffer from OCD. I can’t bear second hand things. Not even books. I cannot explain why. It’s irrational I know. The goods are in great condition. I can cope if I think I’ve completely disinfected and clean them out. I’m not casting aspersions in the previous owners cleanliness. I am trying for precisely the environmental reasons and cost. My husband has no problems with second hand stuff.

Thanks for the tips on cleaning them out. I’ll probably do it twice

Hell yes

Oh okay.....you didn’t mention you had OCD and can’t bear to touch second hand things. That alters things.

Well you’ll just have to do what feels right for you.

Perhaps if you can’t bear the used white goods but they are still working you can donate them to a charity that will give them or sell them very cheaply to people just setting up home from hostels or similar, who really benefit from decent, affordable appliances. Don’t just bin them.

I suffer from OCD. I can’t bear second hand things. Not even books. I cannot explain why. It’s irrational I know

....but you didn't think that was relevant to put in the opening post ?

Yes you left pertinent information out of your post. I'm leaving all my stuff behind as half are integrated and moving the rest isn't economical. I wouldn't think twice about using second hand stuff.

I would like to be able to keep them and that is why I’m asking about making them “clean”. If psychologically I see them as being disinfected I’m sure I’ll be okay with them.

We got rid of an oven/hob, fridge and washing machine. They were just really grotty, greasy and stained so not the type of thing you could easily clean off. Kept all the units and worktops/sink and just gave them a good clean.

If they are good quality but are making you uncomfortable due to your ocd you could donate to a charity or put on freecycle, or fb marketplace if you want to make some money. We give a lot of stuff to a local church charity who help set up homes for refugees and asylum seekers mostly. I know it doesn't feel right just to send good stuff to landfill.

Agree with above, you need to clean to your own standard, but if not please donate them. So many people need white goods, they go super quick on Freecycle/FB etc

You can buy dishwashing cleaning things and washing machine cleaners in supermarket if that would help

Chucked them all out. The flat I bought had been tenanted for its entire 12yr tenure and the appliances were all built into the original kitchen. There was no way I was going to use them. I now have lovely new appliances

*to clarify, they weren't thrown out, my builder wanted to place them on Gumtree and I told him that was fine.

People only leave white good behind when they sell a house because they are either integrated or well past their sell by date.

When I bought my house they left a dishwasher, and two fridges and a freezer in the garage. The owner wanted to negotiate £50 per item but I had my own stuff and she backed down in the end.

The dishwasher was ancient and broke down within a month and the fridges and freezer had to be collected by the council.

As an aside they also left a Christmas tree by the bin which infuriated me no end. Just laziness on their part.

Yes I would keep and just clean them before use.
As a pp stated no one gives a second thought about getting into a bath or using the toilet that someone else has used regularly before you.
You just clean everyone before you use and away you go.
Only time I would replace or remove is if it was filthy falling apart but I would defiantly like to save myself money if what's there is in perfect working order.

Or another thing sell them if you don't like the idea of having them for yourself put them on eBay Facebook market someone else is surely likely to want them and then you can put that money towards buying yourself new at least then it's not heading to some landfill site if it's still all in working order.

If they are ok just clean them as you normally would, it’s no different to using white goods in an holiday let. I’m sure if people rent houses the landlords don’t get new white goods for each tenant.