Creative Ways to Recycle Old Washers, Dryers, and Ironing Boards

Old household appliances like washers, dryers, and ironing boards have a tendency to pile up. When it’s time to upgrade to a newer model, you’re often left wondering what to do with the old one. Throwing them out feels wasteful, but finding ways to repurpose them into something functional can be a fun DIY project. We’ve gathered some creative ideas to help you recycle your old washers, dryers, and ironing boards into something new.

Turn a Washing Machine Drum into a Fire Pit

One of the most popular ways to repurpose an old washer is to make an outdoor fire pit from the drum. This creates a unique centerpiece for your patio or backyard gatherings.

Here’s how to do it:

Remove the internal parts like the agitator and motor. You just need the empty drum.
Cut the back panel off the drum so you can access the inside.
Consider painting or staining the drum for added decoration. Opt for high heat spray paint.
Add legs or a stand so the drum is raised off the ground. Welded metal legs work well.
Make a ring or edge around the inside top to hold the firewood and prevent rolling.
Add rocks, glass beads, or sand at the bottom as a base.
Surround with gravel, bricks, or stones to finish it off.

This project repurposes the washing machine drum into a safe contained fire pit. The metal holds up well against heat. Just be sure to use caution and supervision when burning a fire in your new backyard creation.

Upcycle a Dryer into a Rotating Composter

Put an old dryer to work aerating your compost! The rotating drum is perfect for mixing and aerating compost materials as it breaks down.

To make a composter from an old dryer:

Remove any interior parts so just the drum remains.
Drill rows of ventilation holes all around the drum. This allows air flow.
Attach a handle or knob to easily rotate the drum.
Consider waterproofing the drum interior with a sealant if the dryer you’re using didn’t have a stainless steel drum.
Set up the drum on blocks or bricks so you can access the contents.
Start adding your compost materials – fruit and vegetable scraps, yard waste, coffee grounds, etc.
Use the drum rotation to mix and aerate the compost regularly.

The dryer drum makes mixing compost effortless. The rotating action speeds decomposition. In just a few months, you’ll have rich compost ready for your garden beds!

Upcycle an Ironing Board into a Bar

Turn a wall-mounted ironing board into a space-saving bar for your kitchen or recreation room with this clever DIY.

To make the conversion:

Remove the cover and pad from the ironing board. You won’t need those.
Sand and paint or stain the board to refresh the look.
Add hooks along the underside to hang cups, glasses, and tools.
Attach a wooden bar across the end to support bottles, etc.
Install shelving to the side panels for storing bar supplies.
Reattach the ironing board to the wall in the desired spot.
Add bar stools or standing tables to complete your fun new space.

With a few simple changes, that old ironing board is now a chic wall-mounted bar. Use the folding design to your advantage by folding it up when not in use.

Construct an Outdoor Side Table from a Washing Machine Tub

The round plastic washing machine tub makes an excellent base for a durable outdoor side table. The ribbed edges add visual interest too.

To make:

Cut the plastic tub away from the rest of the washer exterior.
Flip it over and add legs. Wooden legs stained to match your deck work well.
Attach a wood top cut to fit snugly on the rim of the tub.
Stain or seal the tabletop as desired for outdoor use.
Add decorative elements like inlaid tile, accented edges, or octagon shaping if you want to make the table fancier.
Leave some drainage holes in the bottom so rainwater can escape.

The resulting table has a lip around the edge to prevent items rolling off yet allows water to drain out. The plastic tub withstands seasonal weather nicely. Place it on your patio, porch, or dock to enjoy a sturdy side table made from recycled materials.

Use the Metal Exterior for a Custom BBQ Grill

The sturdy metal frame of an old washer or dryer provides the perfect material for constructing a custom BBQ grill.

Here’s how to DIY your grill:

Cut away any unneeded plastic or interior tub parts.
Cut the side panels to create an opening about the size of your desired grilling surface.
Use the back panel as your grill, either flipping it inside out or scrapping off coating if needed.
Attach heavy duty grill grates to the interior of the back panel. Weld or bolt them in place.
Attach a metal smokestack at the top for ventilation.
Create or attach metal doors to the front opening.
Add shelves, storage, or other custom features as desired.

With some simple cutting, welding, and creative additions, you can construct a fully functional and unique BBQ grill from the metal exterior of an old appliance. Use leftover parts to customize shelves, handles, etc.

Repurpose the Metal Drum as an Outdoor Shower

Turn the large metal drum from an old washer into a cabin-chic outdoor shower. The sturdy drum makes a perfect watertight enclosure.

To construct:

Clean out the drum thoroughly. Scrub away any residue.
Cut an opening for the shower entrance. Save the cut out piece to use as the door.
Drill holes around the bottom perimeter to allow drainage.
Attach a plywood floor just above the drainage holes.
Attach shower plumbing – supply line, shower head, and controls.
Optional: Attach cedar boards or other rustic-look siding to the exterior.
Set up the shower on a gravel or paver patio for drainage.

You now have a private outdoor shower enclosure ready for rinsing off after swimming or getting muddy. The metal drum construction is durable against the elements. Get creative embellishing it with wood or other decor to match your outdoor living space.

Forge a Drum Fire Bowl or Chiminea

Metal drums from old appliances can also be hand-crafted into unique fire bowls or chimineas. This requires some metal working skill but creates a durable backyard fire feature.

The basic process includes:

Cut the drum to your desired size and shape. Common designs are simple bowl shapes or chiminea style.
Consider adding ventilation holes for airflow. These can be decorative shapes.
Smooth, grind, and polish the cut edges to avoid sharpness.
Add legs or a stand if desired.
Apply high heat paint if you don’t want the plain metal look.
Optional additions could include grill grates, tools hooks, shelves, etc. if making a chiminea design.

Take time crafting a durable washed drum into a custom fire container suitable for your yard. The opportunities are endless whether you want a minimalist outdoor firepit or a fully-loaded chiminea entertainment station.

Stack into Custom Landscape Edging

The rigid sides of an old appliance make rugged landscape bed edging. Arrange multiple cut sections creatively to border gardens or divide lawn areas.

Ideas for using old appliances as landscape edging:

Cut washer or dryer sides into strips about 6-12 inches wide.
Dig a trench around the area you want to edge.
Arrange and stack the metal strips into the trench. Pound with a mallet if needed to secure.
Consider alternating pieces evenly for a neater look.
Paint them all one color or get creative painting patterns.
Use rubber mallet to imprint designs for added texture.

The durable metal pieces stand up to mowers and trimmers around the yard. Remnants from disassembling an appliance provide edging pieces for free. Get creative with the patterns and placement of your recycled edging project.

Create Interesting Garden Art Pieces

Small pieces and parts left over after disassembling washers, dryer, or irons make for quirky garden art projects. The mix of metals, plastic, and rubber lends visual diversity when arranged decoratively in garden beds.

Ideas for repurposing leftover bits:

Use control panels as funky plant identification markers.
Place colorful wiring coils around plants or pathways like garden hoses.
Stick small rubber rollers or plastic agitator bits into the ground between plants.
Arrange assorted metal pieces, knobs, and door latches together like a found-object sculpture.
Coil or wind long metal springs loosely into plant supports.
Hang assorted parts like washers and pulleys from garden arches or fences.

Let your imagination go wild playing with appliance scraps as art in your garden design. The unexpected shapes and colors make quirky accents for flower beds, succulent gardens, or pathway borders.

Upcycle Control Panels into Wall Art

The control panels from old appliances often have great retro appeal. Give the knobs, buttons, and graphics new life by framing them as unique wall art.

For the best results:

Carefully detach the control panel keeping wiring intact if possible.
Clean thoroughly and spray with clear sealant to prevent corrosion.
Frame tightly with sturdy backing like plywood.
Hang on the wall and display the wires or bundle neatly with zip ties.
Arrange a cluster of different control panels for a grouping.
Accent with other machine parts like numbered metal tabs.

Framed appliance control panels make great conversational wall art. Their bright colors and sense of nostalgia add fun retro flair to home decor. Arrange several for a bold graphic statement.

Make Musical Instruments from Parts

Let the kids transform appliance parts into their own handmade musical instruments! The variety of materials and shapes allow for lots of creativity.

Some instrument ideas:

Plastic tubs or pipes become drums of different tones.
Attach jingle bells or metal bottle caps to wires and coils for shakers.
Hammer different sized metal pieces into xylophone keys.
Stretch rubber tubes or bands around cans for creative string instruments.
Blow across capped PVC pieces from hoses for flutes.

Assigning musical pitch to appliance scraps encourages imaginative play and problem solving. Encourage kids to use parts creatively based on shape, size, and material to make their own homemade sound.

Summary

With a little ingenuity, that tired old washer, dryer, or ironing board in your basement can be given new life! Repurposing them into fun DIY projects is both eco-friendly and budget-friendly. You may be surprised by the creative possibilities. Any of these recycled crafts make great weekend projects and conversation starters. Save unnecessary waste while making functional items for your home and garden with these clever upcycling ideas.

FAQ About Creative Ways to Recycle Old Washers, Dryers, and Ironing Boards

Here are some frequently asked questions about creatively repurposing old washers, dryers, and ironing boards:

Q: Are there safety concerns when repurposing old appliances?

Yes, always use caution when dismantling and working with appliances. Wear gloves and safety glasses. Remove all electrical components carefully. Sharp edges from metal parts warrant extra care. Have an adult supervise kids. Prioritize safety.

Q: What should I do if I can’t find a new use for my old appliance?

Consider donating or selling it so someone else can repurpose it. Many charities and secondhand stores accept appliance donations. Or list it online for cheap or free to find it a new home.

Q: Can I recycle appliances if they can’t be repurposed?

Absolutely! Metal parts are highly recyclable. Plastic and rubber components may also be recyclable. Remove hazardous fluids first. Check with your local recycling center about appliance recycling options in your area. Proper recycling is better than sending appliances to the landfill.

Q: What are some quick ways to upcycle old appliances?

Some easier projects include using control panels or metal parts for wall art, stacking metal pieces into landscape edging, or letting kids make musical instruments from parts. Changing an ironing board into a bar or repainting the exterior drum use the items as-is without major disassembly.

Q: How much work does it take to make projects like an outdoor shower or custom BBQ?

More complex projects like those typically require extensive disassembly, cutting metal safely, and rebuilding something new. Consider your time, tools, and skill level. Basic projects require minimal effort while passion projects may take many hours of work.

Q: Where do I find inspiration for more repurposing ideas?

Browse DIY and upcycling sites and social media feeds. Check out thrift stores and antique shops to spark creative ideas. Look at shapes, colors and materials in a new light. Often seeing an item used unusually can inspire new possibilities.

Q: Can I sell my repurposed appliance projects?

Yes! Many people love upcycled items. Online platforms like Etsy allow you to sell your repurposed designs. Locally, options like craft fairs, flea markets or consignment allow you to market your unique creations.

Conclusion

Don’t send old appliances to the scrap heap too quickly. With a little creativity, they can be given renewed purpose. Upcycling conserves resources and reduces waste. We hope these ideas have sparked inspiration for your own DIY projects repurposing washers, dryers and ironing boards. What clever ways will you find to turn household junk into handcrafted treasure? With some imagination, anything is possible.