Moving large appliances—like refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and stoves—requires more than just muscle. You’ve got to know what you’re doing, or else you risk damaging your appliance or injuring yourself. Whether you’re getting ready for a big move to a new city or remodeling, preparation is key. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process and show you how to work smarter—not harder—when it comes to moving large appliances.
Table of Contents
Useful Materials
While the specific resource requirements for moving large appliances aren’t universal and depend heavily on what exactly you’re moving, these materials are handy for almost any move of this nature.
- Moving blankets or furniture pads
- A large, wheeled dolly
- Ratchet straps
- Resealable plastic bags
- Cleaning supplies (such as stainless steel appliance cleaners, baking soda, microfiber cloths)
- Pliers and wrench set
- Packing tape
- Work gloves
- Furniture sliders or glides
- A bucket and towels
- Your appliance user manuals, if you still have them
Cleaning Large Appliances
Taking the time to clean an appliance before a move mitigates the risk of unpleasant smells and ensures the appliance is fresh and ready to use as soon as it arrives in its new location. Clean, dry appliances will be less prone to mold and mildew, which is especially important if they’ll be held in storage or transport for some amount of time. Whatever you’re working with, start by wiping down the exterior with a mild cleaner and a microfiber cloth to remove dust, grease, or fingerprints. Also, don’t forget to clean underneath and behind the appliance, as these hard-to-reach, neglected spots often collect dust bunnies and debris over time.
Ovens and Stoves
Detachable pieces like knobs and oven racks should be left to soak in soapy water for 10-20 minutes. Spraying with a bit of vinegar mist can help remove any lingering smells or grime. Scrub with a non-abrasive cloth, and then let the pieces air-dry.
For the stove-top, use a degreasing spray or baking soda solution, scrubbing around the burners and in any crevices where crumbs or food particles could have collected. For the inside, smear a baking soda paste along the interior surfaces, and let it sit for several hours (or overnight) before coming in with a sponge to remove it.
Washing Machines and Dishwashers
Some of these appliances have their own cleaning cycles you can use, but if not, running a standard hot water cycle with an appropriate specialty cleaner or white vinegar solution will do the trick. After the cycle, wipe down the inside of the washer’s drum, the appliance’s door or lid, and underneath any rubber gaskets or seals where mold, scraps, or residue might linger, paying careful attention to the dishwasher’s drain.
Leave the doors or lids propped open to air-dry.
Fridges and Freezers
Start by removing everything—not only all the foodstuffs, but the shelves, drawers, and bins. Dispose of expired food items, donate anything unopened and safe, and place what you’re keeping in a cooler if you’ll need it in the meantime. Unplug the fridge and let it defrost completely. Be aware that defrosting a fridge can take anywhere from four hours to over a day, depending on various factors. There are other methods to speed up the defrosting process, but waiting it out is the safest and most reliable option.
Soak the shelves and drawers in warm, soapy water, and then wipe down the interior with a baking soda cleaning solution to remove any lingering smells, and then leave the door open overnight so that it can air out.
Safely Unhooking Your Appliance
Unhooking might seem like a no-brainer, but a careful, methodical approach is necessary to avoid leaks, electrical issues, or costly damage down the line.
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Electrical Appliances
Before you can start moving your appliance, you’ve got to disconnect it from any power or utility sources. This can be as simple as unplugging it from the electrical outlet, but for added precaution, consider turning off the power at the circuit breaker first. This reduces the risk of any electrical discharge interfering with your work.
Plumbing Appliances
If the appliance is connected to a water source, like a washing machine or a refrigerator with an ice maker, you’ll also need to shut off the water supply. Turn off the valve and then disconnect the hose using pliers or a wrench. Keep a bucket and towels on hand, as there will likely still be some water left in the lines.
Gas Appliances
Moving a heavy gas appliance by yourself is a bit trickier. You’ll want to disconnect the gas supply, but bear in mind that natural gas is highly flammable. It is safest to contact your utility company or a professional gas fitter beforehand.
Preparing for Transit
Begin by securing any loose parts. Tape down any cords, hoses, or attachments that aren’t designed to be removed. Keep bolts, screws, and extra cords in labeled resealable bags so that they’re easy to locate for reinstallation. For appliances with removable parts like shelves, burners, or trays, it’s best to take them out and pack them separately or secure them tightly inside the unit with strong packing tape. For added security, it’s good practice to tape down any doors or lids with packing tape, too, just to avoid damaging the hinge during transit.
Spinning appliances, like washers and dryers, have a large, metal drum that needs to be secured with shipping bolts prior to transit, as jostling it can cause a lot of wear on your machine.
Next, you’ll want to wrap moving blankets or furniture pads around each appliance, securing them with ratchet straps. This will help prevent scratches, dents, or chipping during transit, but be careful not to overtighten, as this can damage the control panels.
Before loading the appliance up on the dolly, ensure that there are no obstacles in its primary path—doors, boxes, or other furniture. Clear a path, if necessary. Depending on the width of the appliance, you may even need to unscrew the door from its hinges temporarily to get it out. Just make sure you have a clear path with no obstruction, so you’re not having to constantly stop and move things out of the way.
Loading Large Appliances
To get the appliance onto the dolly, gently tilt it backward just enough to slide the base of the dolly underneath. Keep the tilt minimal to avoid tipping, especially for top-heavy appliances like large freezers or refrigerators. Once the dolly is in place, slowly lower it back down so that it sits flush against the dolly’s back plate, with its weight distributed as evenly as possible, then secure it with the dolly’s straps or with ratchet straps.
Whenever possible, load large appliances first. This keeps the heaviest items low and forward, helping with vehicle balance and preventing lighter boxes from being crushed. Always ensure the appliances are loaded upright and not on their sides. Use your ratchet straps to anchor each appliance securely to the wall of the truck. They should be snug but not over-tightened, as too much pressure can damage panels or controls.
If you’re moving more than one large appliance, keep a few inches of space between them. Fill that space with moving blankets or other padding. Finally, don’t stack boxes or smaller appliances on top, even if they’re light. Instead, place extra padding and think of larger appliances as a boundary for organizing other items around them.
“When helping clients prepare for moves, I’ve learned that placing foam padding or old towels between the appliance and any straps prevents scratches – something I wish I’d known before damaging my own washer’s finish. I always recommend having someone spot you while moving it, even if they’re just guiding you and watching for obstacles you can’t see. The trickiest part is usually navigating stairs, where I suggest taking small ‘bites’ – moving just a few inches at a time rather than trying to rush it.”
Justin Carpenter, Founder, Jacksonville Maids
If you don’t have an extra set of hands available to help and aren’t confident moving a heavy appliance on your own, you can look into hiring a labor-only moving service like UniMovers. This is a cost-effective option to save yourself the heavy lifting in a pinch.
Reinstalling Your Appliance
Once you’ve arrived at your new location, you’re ready to get your appliances connected and running! Ensure that the new surface is level and stable, and then slowly slide the appliance off the dolly. Furniture sliders, though not required, can be a handy way to prevent scratching the floors as you align the appliance.
Inspect the machine for any signs of damage before reconnecting. Assuming everything is in order, plug in the electrical and hook up the water or gas lines, if applicable. Again, for gas appliances, it’s ideal to contact a professional, unless you absolutely know what you’re doing.
Once connected, check for leaks, secure any additional pieces, and test the appliance with a short cycle to make sure it’s functioning properly. With everything properly reconnected and tested, your appliances are back in action, and you’re ready for business as usual in your new living space.
Conclusion
Though moving heavy appliances by yourself can be daunting, it’s still doable with the right preparation, tools, and mindset. From disconnecting to deep-cleaning, each step plays a critical role in protecting your investment and safeguarding your health. Properly securing appliances with ratchet straps and padding them helps prevent damage during transport, while strategic loading in the moving truck ensures both safety and stability on the road.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll save yourself time, money, and peace of mind during the entire process.
FAQs
Use ratchet straps. They are made specifically for this purpose. Rope is too variable and more difficult to perform reliable quality checks.
It’s important to be realistic with your own limitations. If you’re not confident in your ability to move the appliance on your own, or you have a tricky landscape with multiple flights of stairs or tight corners to navigate, professional movers are the way to go. You can consult this guide for a more in-depth analysis and considerations on whether hiring movers is worth it.
For most appliances, you can plug them in and use them immediately once everything has been reconnected. For refrigerators and freezers, wait 24 hours first for the fluids to settle.
J. Dailey has an English degree with a focus in technical writing. When not busy blogging, find J. Dailey hiking, playing tabletop games, or spending time with cats.
