Moving a refrigerator is no small task. Learn how the proper equipment and approach can make this daunting job a whole lot easier!
What You’ll Need
Whether you’re moving a fridge to a new room or a new home, keep in mind that it’s a two-person job. If you try to move a refrigerator on your own you’re liable to damage the appliance or injure yourself. Having a partner is the first order of business.
Additional items to have on hand for effective refrigerator transport include:
- Dolly
- Ratchet straps
- Cardboard or hardboard
- Measuring tape
- Tape
With these items (plus a partner), you’ll have the necessary tools to safely move a refrigerator without damaging it or hurting yourself. Getting your supplies ready before you start the moving process will also help it go smoothly from start to finish.
Plan Your Route
Before you begin moving a refrigerator, take some time to map out where you’re taking it and how you’re going to get there. Use the measuring tape to get the dimensions of the fridge and make sure it will fit through any doorways you’ll need to use.
Next, protect the floors by laying down the cardboard or hardboard you collected. Refrigerators are heavy and can easily cause damage without a layer between the fridge and the floor.
Empty, Store, and Clean
If you need to move a refrigerator that’s in use, you’ll want to take out all food items prior to transport. You can temporarily store food in a cooler.
Next, it’s time to clean the fridge. While this may not impact the actual moving process, it’s to your benefit to remove any traces of food or spills so that they don’t cause the fridge to smell once you defrost it prior to moving.
Once the fridge is clean, take out the shelving and drawers so that nothing jostles loose during the move. This will help protect the interior of the fridge while it’s in transit.
Finally, disconnect the water and power lines and mop up any water that leaks during the process. You’ll also need to defrost the appliance to prevent water leakage during the move if it will be unplugged for more than 20–30 minutes.
Secure and Load
When you’re ready to move the fridge, use tape to secure the doors. You can also wrap the fridge in moving blankets in order to protect the appliance and the walls if needed.
For the actual moving process, you’ll want to load the fridge onto a dolly with one of the sides (not the front or back) braced against the back of the dolly. Use the ratchet straps to secure the fridge onto the dolly and you’re ready to go.
During the moving process, try to keep the fridge upright in order to prevent damage. If you need to set it down at any point, make sure you rest it on its side, never on the front or back.
Moving a fridge can be a lot of work, but with proper preparation, materials, and manpower, it’s definitely doable! If you feel like self-moving is out of your comfort zone, though, you can always enlist the help of professional movers.
If you need help moving a refrigerator—or anything else—call Chase Moving and Storage. We are your local, family-owned moving company in Burlington and our movers have served the area for over 100 years. Chase Moving and Storage—The Most Trusted Movers Since 1908.
