A refrigerator is one of the heaviest and bulkiest appliances in your home. Moving a refrigerator can be a daunting task, especially if you have to move it up or down stairs, or through narrow doorways. However, with some planning, preparation, and help, you can move a refrigerator safely and efficiently, without damaging it or your floors.
To move a refrigerator, you need to empty it, unplug it, clean it, secure it, and use the right equipment to transport it. You should also measure the refrigerator and the spaces it needs to pass through, and protect your floors and walls from scratches and dents. You may need a helper and a dolly or a hand truck to balance and move the fridge.
How To Prepare The Refrigerator For Moving
Before you attempt to move a refrigerator, you need to make sure it is ready for moving. Here are some steps you need to take to prepare the refrigerator for moving.
- Empty the refrigerator of all its contents. Remove all the food, drinks, condiments, ice trays, and anything else that might spill or shift during the move. You can use coolers or insulated bags to store the perishable items temporarily, or donate or discard them if you don’t need them.
- Remove the shelves and drawers. Take out all the removable parts from the inside of the fridge, such as shelves, drawers, bins, racks, and dividers. Wrap them in towels or bubble wrap for protection, and label them for easy reassembly. You can also tape them in place inside the fridge if they are secure and don’t rattle.
- Unplug the refrigerator. Disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet and coil it neatly. Tape it to the back or side of the fridge to prevent it from dangling or getting in the way. If your refrigerator has an ice maker or a water dispenser, disconnect it from the water supply line as well.
- Defrost the freezer if necessary. If your freezer has a lot of frost buildup, you need to defrost it before moving. This can take several hours or overnight, so plan ahead. Turn off the freezer and place towels or pans underneath to catch the melting ice. Wipe down the inside of the freezer with a cloth or paper towel.
- Clean and dry the refrigerator. Give your refrigerator a thorough cleaning with a mild detergent and water. Wipe down all the surfaces inside and outside with a damp cloth or sponge. Dry everything with a clean towel or let it air dry completely. Leave the doors open for a few hours to prevent mold and odors.
- Secure the doors and cords. Use tape or rope to secure the doors of the refrigerator and prevent them from opening during transit. You can also use bungee cords or straps to keep them closed. Make sure you don’t tape over any vents or openings that might affect the cooling system of the fridge. Tape any loose cords or hoses to the back of the fridge as well.
How To Move The Refrigerator Safely And Efficiently
Once your refrigerator is ready for moving, you need to use the right equipment and techniques to move it safely and efficiently. Here are some tips on how to move a refrigerator without damaging it or yourself.
- Measure the refrigerator and the spaces it needs to pass through. Use a tape measure to measure the height, width, and depth of your refrigerator. Also measure the width and height of any doors, hallways, stairs, or elevators that your fridge needs to go through. Make sure there is enough clearance for your fridge to fit without scraping or bumping into anything.
- Protect your floors and walls from scratches and dents. Use floor protectors such as cardboard, plywood, blankets, or furniture sliders to cover your floors where you will be moving your fridge. This will prevent damage to your hardwood, tile, carpet, or laminate floors from the weight and movement of your fridge. You can also use corner guards or padding to protect your walls from bumps and scrapes.
- Use a dolly or a hand truck to move your fridge. A dolly or a hand truck is a wheeled device that can help you lift and transport heavy items like refrigerators. You can rent one from a moving company or a hardware store if you don’t have one. Make sure you choose one that can support the weight of your fridge and has straps or belts to secure it.
- Tilt and slide your fridge onto the dolly or hand truck. With one person at each side of the fridge, tilt it slightly backward until you can slide the base of the dolly or hand truck underneath it. Center the fridge on the dolly or hand truck and secure it with straps or belts. Make sure you don’t block any vents or openings on your fridge with straps.
- Move your fridge slowly and carefully with a helper. With one person at each end of the dolly or hand truck, move your fridge slowly and carefully towards your destination. Avoid sudden movements or turns that might cause your fridge to tip over or slide off. Communicate with your helper and watch out for any obstacles or hazards along the way.
- Move your fridge up or down stairs with caution. If you need to move your fridge up or down stairs, you need to be extra careful and have at least two helpers. One person should be at the bottom of the dolly or hand truck, holding it at a 45-degree angle. The other person should be at the top of the dolly or hand truck, pushing or pulling it. A third person can help guide and balance the fridge. Move one step at a time and go slowly and steadily.
- Load your fridge into a moving truck or a trailer. If you are moving your fridge to a new location, you need to load it into a moving truck or a trailer. Use a loading ramp if available, or lift and slide your fridge onto the truck or trailer with the help of your helper. Place your fridge upright and secure it with straps or ropes to prevent it from shifting or falling during transit.
How To Set Up Your Refrigerator After Moving
After you have moved your refrigerator to your new place, you need to set it up properly and let it rest before using it. Here are some steps you need to take to set up your refrigerator after moving.
- Unload your fridge from the truck or trailer. Use the same equipment and techniques that you used to load your fridge to unload it from the truck or trailer. Be careful not to drop or bump your fridge while unloading it.
- Move your fridge to its new spot. Use a dolly or a hand truck to move your fridge to its new spot in your kitchen or wherever you want it. Make sure there is enough space around your fridge for ventilation and opening the doors. Also make sure there is a power outlet and a water supply line nearby if needed.
- Remove the straps and tape from your fridge. Carefully remove any straps, belts, ropes, or tape that you used to secure your fridge during moving. Be careful not to damage any vents, openings, cords, or hoses on your fridge while removing them.
- Level and adjust your fridge. Use a level to check if your fridge is balanced and stable on the floor. If not, adjust the feet or casters of your fridge until it is level. You can also use shims or wedges to level your fridge if needed.
- Plug in and reconnect your fridge. Plug in the power cord of your fridge into the wall outlet and reconnect the water supply line if applicable. Turn on the power switch of your fridge and check if it is working properly.
- Let your fridge rest for 24 hours before using it. After moving, your fridge needs some time to settle and stabilize before you can use it. Let your fridge rest for at least 24 hours before putting any food or drinks in it. This will allow the oil and coolant in the compressor to flow back into place and prevent any damage to the cooling system of your fridge.
- Clean and sanitize your fridge. Before you put any food or drinks in your fridge, you should clean and sanitize it thoroughly with a mild detergent and water. Wipe down all the surfaces inside and outside with a damp cloth or sponge. Dry everything with a clean towel or let it air dry completely.
- Replace the shelves and drawers. Put back all the shelves, drawers, bins, racks, and dividers that you removed from your fridge before moving. Make sure they are secure and aligned properly.
- Stock up your fridge with food and drinks. After letting your fridge rest for 24 hours and cleaning it thoroughly, you can stock up your fridge with food and drinks as usual. Enjoy your fresh and cold food and drinks from your newly moved refrigerator.
Enjoy Your Refrigerator
A refrigerator is one of the heaviest and bulkiest appliances in your home. Moving a refrigerator can be a daunting task especially if you have to move it up or down stairs or through narrow doorways. However with some planning preparation and help you can move a refrigerator safely and efficiently without damaging it or your floors.
To move a refrigerator you need to empty it unplug it clean it secure it and use the right equipment to transport it. You should also measure the refrigerator and the spaces it needs to pass through and protect your floors and walls from scratches and dents. You may need a helper and a dolly or a hand truck to balance and move the fridge.
We hope this post has helped you learn how to move a refrigerator in 10 easy steps. Now you can move your refrigerator without any hassle or worry.
