How to move whitegoods easily

There are some pieces of furniture that you might move every day, without even thinking about it—when you reposition the ottoman, for example, or tuck the folding chairs away.

But when it comes time to move bigger, heavier, household items, it’s not so simple. If you need to move whitegoods into, out of, or around your home, there’s lot’s to consider. What’s the best way to move things like:

• A fridge?
• A freezer?
• A washing machine?
• A drier?
• A dish washer?

At WridgWays, we’ve moved more whitegoods than we can count. We know how to prepare and move whitegoods safely and efficiently. To help you do it like the pros, we’ve put together the following guide.

Whether you’re moving locally, interstate, or even internationally, WridgWays can provide a free quote to help make moving easier.

How to move whitegoods in general

Moving whitegoods incorrectly can be hazardous, not only for your expensive electrical products, but for your body and home. No matter which whitegood you’re moving, it’s important to keep the following in mind:

• Use good posture when you lift. It’s important that you carry the weight on your legs, and in your core, rather than through your back.
• Don’t try to lift something outside of your capabilities. Moving a refrigerator from one side of the kitchen to the other is one thing, but carrying it up two flights of stairs is quite a different story.
• Always wrap delicate items in a protective layer before transporting them. Depending on the unit, this might be a blanket, bubble wrap, or foam pads.
• If you’re undertaking a two-person job, ensure that you’re working with somebody capable. Be open and honest about your limitations, and communicate with each other during the move.

Warning: Be careful not to scrape any walls or doorways while moving whitegoods into or out of a rental property. This can damage the premises and jeopardise your bond. If you’re not confident about your ability to move whitegoods without damaging your premises or appliances, it will likely be cheaper to book a professional mover.

How to move a fridge or a freezer

The process of moving a fridge or a freezer actually starts a few days before the relocation. To prevent unpleasant smells, you should defrost these appliances well ahead of time.

• Remove all foods from the fridge or freezer
• Turn off the electricity
• Prop the doors open to prevent any nasty smells
• Clean the fridge walls with vinegar to be absolutely sure of an odour-free defrosting

On average, a fridge weighs over 100 kg. It’s not a job for just one person. In fact, if at all possible, manual handling should be avoided; this is a job for a trolley.

Unless you’re working with a tiny little bar fridge, do not attempt to move the appliance up or down stairs on your own. Even a small misstep could spell disaster.

After you move the fridge, you should wait a while before turning it on. It takes time for the compressor oil to settle. The exact amount of time required will vary, depending on the size of the unit, but on average you should allocate around four hours.

How to move a washing machine

Before you remove a washing machine, make sure it is empty, clean and dry. Then:

• Detach it from the water supply (having turned the taps off first)
• Unplug from the power point
• Close the lid and make sure it is well secured
• Fasten down any cables or tubes that might get trapped underfoot during the move

A washing machine isn’t usually quite as heavy as a fridge, but you should still make use of industry best practices for moving; correct lifting technique, a trolly, and supervision.

How to move a dishwasher

A dishwasher is one of the most complicated whitegoods to move. Unlike a washing machine or a fridge, a dishwasher is more likely to just stay at a residence when you move.

If you are moving a dishwasher, however, you’ll need to be mindful of the following things:

1. Remove everything from inside: Moving will be easier, and cause less damage, if there’s nothing in the dishwasher.
2. Turn off and disconnect the water supply: Definitely don’t forget this step, or you’ll be soaking wet.
3. Disconnect the power: Depending on how the dishwasher has been installed, this might be as simple as pulling a plug. If not, it’s prudent to contact a professional.
4. Unfasten the dishwasher: This will probably involve unscrewing the unit, and will require tools.
5. Wrap the dishwasher in a protective layer of blankets: Many parts of a dishwasher unit are delicate and could be damaged in a move. Make sure the dishwasher is protected against any bumps and knocks that might occur in a moving van.

Then, after all that, there’s the complicated matter of reinstalling the dishwasher at the new location.

WridgWays Removalists is an established local, interstate and international removalist with the years of experience necessary for a smooth, easy move. WridgWays Removalists has 125 years of experience moving Australian families.