Expert Tips for Safely Moving and Storing Large Appliances

One of the most challenging parts of moving is dealing with large appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, dryers and more. These heavy and bulky items require special care and attention to ensure they arrive at their destination safely. Similarly, if you need to store large appliances, proper preparation is also crucial to prevent damage. 

In this blog post, we’ll provide expert tips for safely moving and storing your appliances. 

Whether you’re moving to a new home or need to store your appliances temporarily, this guide will help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure that your appliances arrive in perfect condition.

Preparing for the Move

Before you start packing up your appliances, it’s essential to prepare them properly for the move. Here are some steps to take:

Clean the Appliances

Cleaning your appliances thoroughly before moving is essential to prevent any dirt, grime or food particles from causing damage. A dirty refrigerator, for instance, can lead to mould and unpleasant odors that can be challenging to remove. 

By taking the time to clean your appliances, you can ensure that they are in good condition when they arrive at their destination. This will also make it easier to unpack and use them in your new home, without worrying about any unpleasant surprises or health hazards.

Disconnect the Appliances

Before moving your appliances, it’s crucial to disconnect them from their power sources and unplug them. It’s also important to turn off the water supply to your washing machine and disconnect the hoses. By doing this, you can prevent any water damage during transport. 

Moreover, removing any attachments, such as shelves and drawers, can help prevent them from shifting and causing damage. Taking these steps will not only help keep your appliances safe during the move but also make it easier to transport and handle them.

Secure the Doors

An open door can cause your appliance to shift or tip over during transport, potentially damaging not only the appliance but also the surrounding items. By securing the doors, you can ensure that your appliances remain in place and don’t shift during the move. 

Measure the Appliances

Ensure that your appliances will fit through doorways and hallways at your new location. Measure the dimensions of your appliances and the doorways, and check if they can fit through. If they cannot, consider disassembling the appliances, if possible.

Moving the Appliances

Moving large appliances can be a tricky task that requires a lot of preparation and care to ensure that your appliances arrive at their destination in perfect condition. However, with the right techniques and equipment, the process can be more manageable. 

Use Proper Equipment

Moving appliances is a heavy-duty job, and it requires the right equipment to make it safe and stress-free. Using the proper equipment can make all the difference when it comes to moving your appliances without causing damage to them or your back. 

• A dolly can help you lift and transport heavy appliances with eas.
• Moving straps can distribute the weight evenly and protect your back from strain. 
• Furniture sliders can move heavy appliances with less effort and prevent any damage to your floors. 

Make sure to use high-quality equipment and tools to ensure safety and ease of movement.

Secure the Appliances

During transportation, appliances can move around and shift, potentially causing damage to both the appliance and other items in the moving truck. To prevent this from happening, it’s essential to secure your appliances to the truck using moving straps or bungee cords. 

This will keep them in place and prevent any unnecessary movement during transport.

Additionally, use furniture pads or blankets to protect the appliances from scratches and dents during transport.

Hire Professionals

If you’re unsure about moving your appliances, consider hiring professional movers. 

Experienced movers have the right tools and expertise to move your appliances safely and efficiently. They can also provide insurance for your appliances for extra peace of mind.

Take Extra Precautions

For some appliances, such as refrigerators, extra precautions are necessary to ensure safety during transport. For example, if you’re moving a refrigerator, it’s essential to keep it upright throughout the move to prevent damage to the compressor. Similarly, if you’re moving a gas stove, make sure to disconnect the gas line before transport.

Storing the Appliances

If you need to store your appliances temporarily, proper preparation is essential. 

Here are some tips to follow:

Clean and Dry the Appliances

Clean and dry your appliances thoroughly before storing them. This will prevent any mould, mildew or bad odors from developing during storage. 

Additionally, ensure all the attachments, such as hoses and shelves, are dry before storing them.

Disassemble the Appliances

Where possible, disassemble appliances to save space and prevent damage during storage. For example, remove the doors from your refrigerator or disassemble your bed frame. This will make it easier to transport the appliances and prevent damage during storage.

Store Appliances Upright

When storing appliances, it’s essential to store them upright. This will prevent any damage to the compressor or other sensitive parts. If you need to store your appliances on their sides, make sure to prop them up with furniture pads or blankets to prevent damage.

Use Furniture Pads and Blankets

Furniture pads and blankets provide an extra layer of protection for your appliances during storage. Use them to cover your appliances and prevent scratches and dents. 

Additionally, use padding to fill empty spaces.

 

Conclusion

Moving and storing large appliances can be a challenging task, but with the right preparation and techniques, it can be done safely and efficiently. By following these expert tips, you can ensure that your appliances arrive at their destination in perfect condition, or remain in perfect condition throughout their time in storage. Either way, if you’re looking for a reliable and secure solution for your appliances, consider the Self Storage Centre. 

We offer storage units in various sizes, so you can find the perfect unit to suit your needs. 

Our units are also equipped with 24/7 surveillance and security, ensuring that your appliances remain safe and secure at all times. Contact us today to learn more about our storage solutions and how we can help you with your moving and storage needs.