Moving Appliances the Safe, Easy & Injury-Free Way

What’s the one thing you most dread moving?

It used to be the waterbed when waterbeds were a thing.

Now, it’s probably the ginormous console in the family room or the double-door refrigerator in your kitchen. Both are big, heavy, cumbersome, and sensitive to clumsy handling.

In this blog, we’ll discuss the appliances in your home.

The easiest and safest thing is to call Walsh and have us move the appliances for you. Otherwise, strap on your grown-up pants and follow the instructions below.

Pre-Moving Prep

Gather Your Tools

• Appliance Hand Truck: This heavy-duty hand truck is a must-have for larger items like refrigerators and washers. It’s equipped with straps to secure the appliance and provide stability while moving it.
• Furniture Sliders or Glides: Make sliding heavy appliances over floors painless and prevent scratches.
• Blankets and Straps: For wrapping appliances and ensuring they stay damage-free.
• Work Gloves: To protect your hands and improve grip.
• Measuring Tape: To measure doorways and hallways to avoid unexpected obstacles during the moving process.
• Masking Tape: To secure cords and doors.
• Furniture Dolly: Use a furniture dolly for heavier items like ovens and stoves. Make sure it’s sturdy enough to support the weight of the appliance.

Measure Your Space

Before moving any large appliance, ensure it will fit through tight spaces. The last thing you want is to discover midway that your fridge won’t clear the front doorway.

Defrost, Unplug & Secure

Unplug electric appliances early, and secure any loose parts (like refrigerator shelves or washer drums) with tape or padding.

• Refrigerators: Empty, defrost, and clean them. Remove shelving and drawers, secure loose parts, and tape doors shut.
• Washers/Dryers: Disconnect hoses, drain excess water, and secure the drum to prevent damage during movement. Tape doors shut.
• Ovens: If gas-powered, have a professional disconnect the gas line. Remove and safely store oven racks. Tape the door shut.
• Microwaves: Unplug the unit and secure the door.

How to Move Each Appliance Safely

1. Refrigerators

Refrigerators are among the heaviest household appliances and require extra care:

1. Tape the refrigerator doors shut.
2. Wrap the fridge in a blanket and secure it with straps or tape.
3. Use an appliance hand truck to move the fridge, securing it with straps.
4. Tilt the hand truck backward and push or pull it to move the fridge.
5. Tilt the refrigerator back more when negotiating bumps or stairs.
6. Carefully navigate through doorways and hallways, using furniture sliders if necessary.
7. Position the fridge in its new location, remove the wrapping, and plug it in.
8. Unwrap and reinstall any shelving or drawers.

2. Washers & Dryers

1. Disconnect all hoses and empty any remaining water from the drum.
2. Secure the drum using tape or padding to prevent damage during movement.
3. Tape the door shut.
4. Wrap the units in a blanket, securing it with straps or tape.
5. Use an appliance dolly, tilting it slightly backward with the weight on its wheels.
6. Use furniture sliders or glides for easier movement.
7. When loading into a moving truck, keep the washer drum facing inward to avoid damage from shifting.
8. Carefully navigate through doorways and hallways, using an appliance dolly or furniture sliders if necessary.
9. Place the appliances in their new location and reconnect the hoses.

3. Ovens

1. If gas-powered, have a professional disconnect the gas line and cap it off.
2. Remove oven racks and secure them safely for transport.
3. Wrap the unit in a blanket and slide it onto an appliance hand truck.
4. Carefully navigate through doorways and hallways, using an appliance dolly or furniture sliders if necessary.
5. Position the oven in its new location and have a professional reconnect it to the gas line.
6. Reinstall the oven racks.

4. Microwaves

1. Unplug the unit and secure the door with tape or padding.
2. Wrap the microwave in a blanket and use an appliance dolly to move it.
3. Tilt the dolly backward slightly for easier movement.
4. Use furniture sliders if necessary when navigating through tight spaces or over bumps/stairs.
5. Place the microwave in its new location and remove any wrapping before plugging

4. Microwaves

1. Unplug the unit and secure the door with tape or padding.
2. Use furniture sliders to move it onto a dolly or hand truck.
3. Carefully navigate through doorways and hallways.
4. Place the microwave in its new location, remove any wrapping, and plug it in.
5. Reinstall any shelving or other parts if necessary.

General Moving Tips

• Use masking tape to secure cords to each appliance, preventing them from getting tangled or causing tripping hazards.
• Lay down protective cardboard or plastic sheets on floors before moving appliances, especially if they’re heavy and may scratch surfaces.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help when moving large, heavy appliances like refrigerators. It’s better to have extra hands than risk injury or damage to your appliances.
• Moving appliances can be physically demanding, so take breaks.
• Go slow and avoid sudden movements.
• Use moving straps to keep appliances firmly in place during transport.
• Allow refrigerators to sit upright for a few hours before plugging them in. This gives the refrigerant time to settle.

FAQs: Moving Appliances

Q: Can I move my refrigerator on its side?

Laying a refrigerator down can cause refrigerant to flow into the wrong areas and damage your appliance.

Q: How do I move a washer without damaging the drum?

Secure the drum using shipping bolts or braces to prevent it from shifting during the move.

Q: Can I transport appliances in my car?

Smaller appliances like microwaves can fit in a car, but larger ones like fridges require a truck.

Q: How far in advance should I defrost my freezer?

Give yourself at least 24 hours to thoroughly defrost and clean your freezer before moving day.

Q: Are appliance movers worth the cost?

For particularly large or heavy items, hiring professionals can save time, effort, and potential injuries.

Q: Can I leave items inside appliances when moving?

No. Always empty appliances like fridges, ovens, and washing machines to prevent damage.

Q: Do I need to remove appliance doors when moving through tight spaces?

If an appliance can’t fit through a doorway or tight space, you may need to temporarily remove its doors.

Q: How do I protect my appliances during bad weather on moving day?

Cover your appliances with waterproof blankets or plastic sheeting to shield them from rain or snow. Make sure they’re securely wrapped to prevent moisture from seeping in and causing damage.