- Disconnect all appliances
- Defrost your refrigerator
- Ensure washer/dryer are in good shape
- Deep clean your stove
- Secure all cords
While preparing your home for an upcoming move, you will find many of your smaller belongings are much easier to pack and organize. Items such as clothes, books, kitchen supplies and various décor items are easy to pack into storage containers or moving boxes.
When it comes time to address your larger items and appliances, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and confused on how to properly prepare them for the move. We hope the following tips and tricks will help you feel confident to address how to move the appliances in your home.
Tip #1: Disconnect all appliances prior to the moving company’s arrival
Most moving companies will not touch hard-wired appliances, or anything connected to gas, such as stoves and dryers. We recommend hiring professionals prior to your moving day to make sure all your items are safely disconnected.
Since movers are not certified technicians to handle these types of appliances, it’s best to leave your items in the hands of electrical professionals. Remember to remove anything loose which might be inside the appliance.
Tip #2: Defrost your refrigerator appropriately
For a minimum of 24 hours prior to moving day, make sure your refrigerator is unplugged. This will give your refrigerator plenty of time to adjust and prevent leaks on moving day, especially the freezer, which will need to be defrosted.
In addition, don’t forget to disconnect the water line and make sure it’s completely drained. Once everything has been disconnected, you will want to clean and dry all the shelves to prevent mold and mildew from forming. Another small detail is to clean the drip tray, which is typically located in the bottom of the fridge.
Tip #3: Ensure your washer and dryer are properly cared for
While preparing your washer and dryer to be moved, you will want to find the various parts you were given when originally purchased. If you did not save the parts used to secure the drums, we suggest contacting the manufacturer to ask for a replacement kit.
Your moving company will not be able to provide these parts, and it’s better to know whether you have them or not prior to moving day to prevent any additional stress.
Tip #4: Clean and disconnect your stove
Your stove should be cleaned both inside and out, with racks removed or fasted securely. Make sure the gas is turned off before disconnecting if you have a gas stove. When in doubt, call your gas company to ask for help with this process.
Electrical stoves generally require far less servicing, but once you reach your new destination, you need to have your power supply checked to make sure current electrical requirements are being met.
Tip #5: Secure all cords efficiently
After you unplug all your various appliances, you’ll likely notice how many cords are present and how easily they can be tangled. For safety, secure the plug of each unit to the back with packing tape. Don’t let the cords dangle or hang loosely, as this could cause someone to trip, or could damage the appliance if it’s accidently ripped out.
To prevent any damages, make sure all doors, cords, knobs and miscellaneous extra parts are taped and secured.
Bonus tip: Empty all gas tanks in outdoor tools and toys
These items may not be appliances in the traditional sense, but this is a detail often overlooked: anything with a gas tank needs to be empty prior to your move. A few applicable items include lawnmowers, snow blowers, scooters and motorcycles.
You are not alone in your moving process, despite how foreign the concept of moving large appliances may feel. For advice, after you get a moving quote and book with Gentle Giant, speak to your move coordinator who can point you in the right direction when it comes to who to ask for help depending on the appliance. We wish you the best of luck!