The transition from a linear to a circular economy (CE) has gained prominence, particularly in the household appliances sector. Despite the growing emphasis on circular strategies, recycling remains the dominant approach, though it is insufficiently resource-efficient to achieve circularity on its own. Value retention processes (VRPs), such as repair, refurbishment, and remanufacturing, offer greater potential for resource efficiency and environmental benefits but face significant implementation barriers. This study addresses the limited prescriptive research on circularity in this domain by exploring the challenges and potential solutions specific to washing machine manufacturing. Two research questions are stated: (1) What is the importance of the challenges in adopting circular practices? and (2) What actionable solutions can be proposed? Based on expert surveys and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) prioritization, the study identifies key barriers related to product design complexity, customer mindset, cost management, policy constraints, and recycling-centric practices. In response, five strategic solutions are proposed: modular design and standardization, awareness-raising initiatives, business model innovation, IT-driven tools, and cross-sector collaboration. These findings offer a practical guidance for companies transitioning toward circular business models in the household appliance sector.