Moving Your Appliances
Moving your appliances can seem like one of the more stressful parts of the big move. Most items can be boxed, wrapped, or easily disassembled for the move. However, there are a few extra steps you may need to take if you plan to take your appliances with you. The most common questions about moving appliances relate to refrigerators, freezers, stoves, ovens, washers, and dryers.
Moving Refrigerators and Freezers
As you might imagine, moving a refrigerator isn't as simple as unplugging it and loading it onto the truck. Though you could go this quicker route, you may end up with more problems in the long run.
Here's how we recommend preparing and moving your refrigerator:
- Before the move (1 week, or so), make sure you're not buying too many groceries which will end up being thrown away the day before the move.
- About 1 day before the move, clear out your refrigerator. Check drawers and bins. Empty out the ice maker.
- Unplug your refrigerator and disconnect water lines.
- Let the refrigerator completely acclimate, reaching room temperature.
- Once your refrigerator has reached room temperature, wipe out any dirt and condensation. This is a great time to thoroughly clean your refrigerator (using your favorite cleaner). Make sure to leave the doors propped open once you've cleaned it, so that any moisture can continue to dry (and mold/mildew doesn't begin to grow).
- Since you'll be moving your refrigerator away from the wall, you may wish to vacuum off the back and sides.
- Just before the move, you will want to tape the bins, drawers, and shelves in place. Consider using masking tape, to reduce the likelihood of sticky residue left over after.
- Finally, tape or tie your doors so that they don't swing open and become damaged during the move. Many people roll a towel or cardboard stack so that the doors are safely drawn in, but the interior can continue to air out (creating some room for air flow).
- Keep your refrigerator upright during the move, if possible.
Here's how we recommend preparing and moving your deep freezer:
- For deep freezers, it's ideal to start the preparation earlier than you would for a refrigerator. About a week before your move, you'll want to empty out the deep freezer.
- Unplug your deep freezer and leave the door open. If your freezer has a 'defrost' option, use it.
- Once the freezer is room temperature, clean it out thoroughly. Dry it out, wipe it out with your favorite cleaner, and leave it open to continue airing out.
- For the move, tape or tie down the door so that it doesn't swing open and become damaged. You may wish to roll a towel or use some cardboard to create air flow while still having the door safely drawn in and restrained.
- Try to keep your refrigerator upright during the move, if possible.
Moving Stoves and Ovens
Moving your stove or oven is a little simpler than preparing your refrigerator or freezer. The only thing which may make moving a stove/oven difficult is if it is gas.
Here's how we recommend moving your stove or oven:
- Unplug your stove/oven. If your stove/oven is gas, you'll have to disconnect the line and cap the gas line. You may wish to call a professional gas plumber to disconnect your gas stove/oven.
- Before you move your stove/oven, it's a great time to thoroughly clean using your favorite cleaner.
- Remove any loose parts (grates, drip pans, shelves, etc) and move those separately.
- You may wish to tape or tie the door(s) shut during the move.
Moving Washing Machines and Dryers
It is often best to refer to the manufacturer's instruction to see how your washing machine or dryer should be disconnected and moved. However, there are a few tips we can give you that will work for any machine.
Here's how we recommend moving your washing machine:
- Run a self-cleaning cycle or run an empty load with hot water. After the cleaning cycle, allow the machine to fully dry.
- Disconnect the water lines (in and out), and leave the washer door open so that it can air dry.
- Refer to your manufacturer's instructions for the proper way to prepare and move your washer.
- On moving day, you may wish to use a rolled towel or stack of cardboard to create air flow while still properly tying or taping the door so that it doesn't pop open.
Here's how we recommend moving your dryer:
- If your dryer is electric, simply unplug it. If your dryer is gas, you may wish to call a gas plumber to disconnect your dryer and cap off the gas line. If you're familiar with gas lines, you may be able to do this yourself.
- Use this time to clean your dryer (the vent hose area and lent trap may be easier to clean once the dryer is unplugged and moved into an open area).
- On moving day, you may wish to tie or tape the door, if you believe it may spring open during moving.
Ask Questions!
Not sure of the best way to prepare your appliances for moving? Still have questions? Our specialists can simplify the process for you. Give us a call or email us with your moving questions!