How to Safely Move a Refrigerator or Washing Machine

Large appliances are among the most expensive items in any home and also some of the most commonly damaged during a house shift. A few simple steps before and during loading can prevent the most serious damage from occurring.

Moving a Refrigerator

1. Stop adding food 24 to 48 hours before the move. Use up perishables in the days leading up to the shift, or donate items that cannot be consumed in time. An empty refrigerator is easier to defrost and safer to transport.
2. Defrost the freezer at least 24 hours before loading. Place dry towels around the base of the appliance to absorb water as the ice melts. Remove all collected water before the loading team arrives so the floor and nearby items are not affected.
3. Remove all internal shelves, drawers, and trays. Wrap each one individually in bubble wrap and pack them together in a labelled box. Internal fittings left inside the refrigerator during transport shift around during the journey and can crack against the walls of the appliance.
4. Clean the inside thoroughly once defrosted. A damp and unclean interior develops mould during transport if the door remains closed for several hours. A quick wipe-down with a dry cloth before closing and sealing the door prevents this from happening.
5. Secure the doors so they cannot swing open. Apply tape across the outside surface of each door — not over the rubber seals — and use a strap or cord to hold both doors firmly closed throughout loading and transit.
6. Keep the refrigerator upright at all times during transport. Laying a refrigerator on its side causes the compressor oil to move into the cooling lines, which can damage the compressor permanently. If the refrigerator must be tilted during loading due to a narrow staircase or doorway, stand it upright for at least as long as it was tilted before plugging it in at the new home.
7. Wait at least four hours before switching it on after arrival. Allow the refrigerator to stand upright and settle fully before connecting it to power. Switching it on too soon after transport, particularly if it was tilted during loading, risks compressor damage that is expensive to repair.

Moving a Washing Machine

1. Run an empty rinse cycle the day before the move. This clears any remaining detergent or standing water from the drum and leaves the machine clean and fully drained before the loading team arrives.
2. Disconnect the water inlet hose and the drain hose. Allow both hoses to drain completely before detaching them from the machine and the wall fittings. Place both hoses in a sealed bag and tape the bag to the back of the machine so they do not become separated during transport.
3. Fit transit bolts before the machine is moved. Transit bolts lock the drum securely in place during transport and prevent it from swinging and damaging the internal drum bearings. If the original transit bolts that came with the machine were discarded after installation, ask a washing machine technician to secure the drum by other means before the move takes place. Running the machine during road transport without transit bolts in place is the most common cause of drum bearing damage during house shifting.
4. Tape the power cord and hoses to the back of the machine. Nothing should trail or hang loose during loading and unloading. A loose cord or hose caught under a wheel or between panels can be damaged or cause someone to trip during the carry.
5. Keep the washing machine upright during transport. Do not lay it on its side or back. The drum and internal bearings of a front-load machine in particular are not designed to support the weight of the appliance from those angles.
6. Remove the transit bolts before the first use at the new home. Running a washing machine with transit bolts still fitted will damage the drum suspension immediately and will likely require a service call before the machine can be used again. Check for this step before switching the machine on for the first time after the move.

Both appliances are straightforward to prepare with a little planning ahead. The two most common mistakes are forgetting to defrost the refrigerator before loading and failing to fit the transit bolts on the washing machine before transport — or forgetting to remove them before the first use at the new home.