But it's not desirable to simply throw away your old white goods if there is nothing wrong with them. Sometimes a family member or friend can make use of them, but if you don't know anyone who needs them you need to find an alternative solution.

The answer lies in recycling them by selling them online. Not only does it mean you will prolong the life of a perfectly good appliance, you will also prevent needless waste and be doing your bit for the environment too. What's more, the cash you get for your second hand sale can go towards buying the new model for your new kitchen.

are a good example of an appliance that sells well online. Classified washing machine ads are an excellent place to pick up a bargain, and anyone who is able to pick up the machine from the seller will save pounds on even the cheapest shop-bought bargain.

If you want to sell your washing machine online, you need to make sure you include all the relevant information in your ad. People will usually want to know the make and model, and how old it is. Obviously the price is a big factor in how successful your advert will be ? it's worth taking some time to look at some current classified listings to see what kind of prices used washing machines are fetching, so you can pitch yours at a comparable price.

Honesty is always the best policy when you are selling anything on the internet. If there is even the slightest scratch on the machine, it's best to mention it so you won't encounter any problems when the buyer comes to pick it up. You don't necessarily need to mention this in the ad; simply include your contact details in the advert and when people phone for more information you can bring any issues like this to their attention.

The main benefit of selling your old appliances online is that you will reach a far bigger audience than you would by advertising purely in your local paper. In this sense it is far more cost effective than any other form of advertising. It's quicker too ? when you place an advert online it generally goes live far more quickly than the amount of time taken to get an ad printed in a newspaper.

It's estimated that over a fifth of internet sales are made through classified adverts; all of which goes to show that we can all do our bit for recycling and helping others - not to mention earning some cash at the same time.