Moving into a new home doesn’t just mean you need to pack up your clothes into boxes, hire movers and be on your way. Throw your appliances into the mix and the whole process just got a lot more complicated.
Here are some moving day best practices to help you tackle your household appliances and keep both you and your items safe!
Should you move it?
First thing’s first: should you bring your appliances with you? If your new place comes with newer appliances, or if your current place won’t let you bring yours with you, then you might be stuck. However, if your new place doesn’t have newer or better appliances, and you’re under no obligation to leave the old ones at your new place, then it’s a no-brainer: yes, pack the appliances!
Before you start disconnecting everything, take measurements to ensure that your current appliances will fit into your soon-to-be kitchen and laundry room. Dishwashers can vary in size, as well as stoves and refrigerators and you wouldn’t want to go through the trouble of packing up an appliance, only to realize it’s too big or too small for the new space you have allocated to it.
Before you move in, give the flooring in your new home a good clean, specifically where your appliances will soon sit. You won’t have another opportunity to easily clean this area so make it count! Consider placing floor protection, as well.
Utilize the instructions
Your movers will take care of your larger appliances for you, but you’ll need to do a bit of prep work beforehand.
- Contact the manufacturer of the appliances to learn about how they need to be properly moved. This may include unplugging certain items for at least 24 hours before the move, draining water tanks, or disconnecting hoses.
- Check the owner’s manual. This is a valuable resource that will give you everything you need to know about your specific appliance. If you’ve misplaced your manual, feel free to check on the manufacturer’s website for some guidelines to prepare each of their appliances for a move.
Ask your movers if they can help you with this step—some movers provide appliance prep for moving for an additional fee.
Don’t forget about the essential moving supplies!
The last thing you should be doing is attempting to move these large items on your own, with no helping hand or helpful tools. This puts you, your items and your property at risk for serious damage and you already have enough on your plate. So, make sure that you have all of the necessary moving supplies at your disposal. These should include:
- Moving straps
- Sliders
- Dolly
- Bubble wrap
- Tape
Unplug everything
Everything will need to be unplugged, cooled off and ready to go. This includes the fridge: remove any perishables from the fridge and freezer and unplug the unit at least a full day before the move is scheduled. This will give you a chance to wipe down the interior; plus, you’ll need the freezer to completely defrost and drain before the movers get their hands on it.
Tape the appliances closed
Use tape or bubble wrap to secure each of your appliances, even the small ones like the toaster oven and the microwave. You don’t want to have doors popping open during the move and causing damage to your other items, or injuring the movers.
- Secure all fridge doors, dishwasher doors, oven doors, etc.
Safely preparing your oven
Moving any gas appliance can be a bit tricky, so it’s important to consult the manufacturer before you unplug anything. If you’re not sure how to switch off the gas or power supply to your kitchen before unplugging the stove, consult a handyman or your current landlord.
Make sure the entire stove, inside and out, has been cleaned prior to the move. You should take care of this at least a day before you unplug, to give the unit time to cool down fully. Remove the racks, and tape down the knobs so that they don’t get caught on something and fall off mid-move.
Packing your washer & dryer
There are some hoses connected to your washer and dryer that may need to be removed before the big day, so make sure to consult the manufacturer about moving your units ahead of time. Pack all hoses and any other parts that you can safely remove into another box, since these appliances are heavy, and we can do without the added weight.
Make sure to secure the drums to prevent damage in-route: if your unit is newer, it may have a locking mechanism. If not, you guessed it: check with the manufacturer!
Moving can be stressful, but it’s nothing to break your back over. Let the experts at Highland Moving help! We have the experience and equipment necessary to move your appliances safely and securely to your new place. Give us a call at 604-581-2300 for a free estimate!
