Moving a fridge is one of those tasks that sounds simple but can quickly turn into a nightmare without proper planning. I recently hired a fast moving company for my cross-town move and learned some valuable tricks about relocating large appliances. Whether you’re moving yourself or hiring professionals, these practical tips will help you transport your refrigerator safely and prevent damage to both the appliance and your home.
Assessing the Space and Pathways
Before touching your fridge, scope out the route it’ll take. Grab a tape measure and jot down the dimensions of your refrigerator, then measure all doorways, hallways, and stairs it needs to pass through. My last move had a tricky corner that looked too tight—turns out we had just enough clearance with the doors removed.
Look for potential obstacles like hanging light fixtures, furniture, or those pesky floor transitions that could trip you up. Clear everything from the path, including rugs or cords that might slide under your feet. A quick five-minute walk-through saved me hours of frustration and prevented wall damage when we hit that tight hallway corner.
Emptying and Cleaning the Refrigerator
Don’t even think about moving a loaded fridge. Here’s what to do:
- Eat or toss perishables: Start using up food a week before moving day. I had an impromptu “empty the fridge” dinner party two nights before my move.
- Remove everything: Take out all food, condiments, and mystery containers from the back shelf.
- Pull out shelves and drawers: If possible, remove and wrap these separately to prevent breakage.
- Defrost thoroughly: Give your freezer at least 24 hours to defrost completely to avoid water leaks during transport.
- Clean every surface: A mix of warm water and baking soda works great to remove food residue and odors. Don’t forget the rubber door seals where crumbs love to hide.
Securing and Protecting the Doors
Fridge doors flying open mid-move is a disaster waiting to happen. After my first moving experience where a door swung open and nearly took out my friend’s knee, I learned to be thorough. Wrap bungee cords around the entire unit, or use strong moving tape to keep everything shut. Don’t tape directly on stainless steel finishes—it’ll leave a sticky mess. Instead, wrap a moving blanket around first, then secure it with tape or cords.
For French doors or side-by-side models, secure each door individually first, then together. Remove any loose door shelves or bins and pack them separately. An extra blanket taped around the whole fridge prevents those inevitable dings and scratches.
Safely Moving the Refrigerator
This is not a solo job—trust me on this. Here’s how to do it right:
- Unplug and secure the cord: Tape it to the back of the fridge so it doesn’t drag or become a tripping hazard.
- Tilt and slide: Slightly tilt the fridge backward and slide a furniture dolly underneath. Never lay a refrigerator flat—it can damage the cooling system.
- Secure to the dolly: Use straps to firmly attach the fridge. Those rental dollies from hardware stores often come with straps.
- Take it slow: Move inch by inch through tight spots, with someone guiding from the front. My movers took nearly 15 minutes to navigate one tricky hallway—and not a single wall got scratched.
- Ramp technique: When going up or down ramps, always have someone at the bottom controlling the descent.
Setting Up the Refrigerator in the New Location
Once you’ve reached your destination, don’t rush the setup. Position the fridge in its spot, keeping it a few inches from the wall for proper air circulation. Check if it’s level using a basic bubble level—a tilted fridge can cause door alignment problems and inefficient cooling. Most refrigerators have adjustable feet you can twist to level them out.
Plug it into a proper outlet—no extension cords, which can be fire hazards with large appliances. Let the fridge sit upright, unplugged, for at least 4-6 hours before turning it on. This allows the refrigerant and oils to settle after being jostled during the move. When you finally plug it in, give it another 24 hours to reach optimal cooling temperature before restocking.
Ready to move your refrigerator without the hassle? Book a consultation with our team today, and let us handle the heavy lifting. With our specialized equipment and experienced crew, we’ll move your refrigerator safely and efficiently, giving you one less thing to worry about on a moving day.
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