How to Move Refrigerators and Freezers

We all know how stressful moving can be. Not only is it physically demanding, but it can also be mentally overwhelming as well. Some rooms will be easier to pack up than others. For instance, packing up a small office, library, or underused guest room can be quick and straightforward. But what about all the items you can't just toss into a box?

The process can slow down if you have not created a plan for packing and moving more significant things like appliances. In fact, one of the most common moving mistakes we see is people forgetting to make a plan for some of these larger and more complicated items, specifically refrigerators and standalone freezers. However, with the proper knowledge and a little bit of planning, you can pack up your whole home, including your appliances, safely and efficiently.

Let's look at how to prepare and move one of the more difficult appliances to transport—the refrigerator and freezer so that you can keep your food fresh at your new home.

Eight Steps for Moving Your Fridge and Freezer

Moving and packing the refrigerator and any stand-alone freezers can be tougher because you must determine what to do with your perishable food items before the move. Some people give away all their perishables, but if you have a lot of refrigerated or frozen foods you intend to keep, you will need to pack all your food into coolers with ice or icepacks so nothing spoils before you reach your new home.

In addition, we recommend planning your meals so you can use as much as you can out of your refrigerator and freezers, so you have less to transport. This helps you save money and time leading up to your move and allows you not to waste food you have already bought. Avoid purchasing any new food items for your fridge, which should be at least 24 hours out.

With those things in mind, here are eight steps you should take to prepare and how to move your freezer and refrigerators:

• Step #1: We recommend finding the manufacturer or owner's manual for your refrigerator and/or stand-alone freezer. Some models may have specific instructions they want you to follow when you need to turn off the appliance and move it, especially if you have a smart fridge or one with several addons, such as a door-placed ice maker and water dispenser.

• Step #2: Measure the appliance’s height, width, and depth to ensure you can get them out of the home and that they will fit in the required space in your new home. If it looks like it will not work, you will need to look up the manufacturer's directions on removing the doors so they can get through the doorways, or you can consider leaving the appliances for the new homeowner. Leaving large appliances behind can be an attractive option if your new home already has a refrigerator or freezer. You can also remove the interior and exterior doors of the house to make further space to move your appliances out.

• Step #3: Remove all food items and unplug the appliances. This step requires a lot of time, so completing it before your moving day is best. The refrigerator and freezer need to be at room temperature and completely dry before you move them to avoid leaking water or causing the build-up of mold and mildew in the appliance. Don't forget to disconnect any water lines and allow ample time to drain. You may have some water that drips to the floor during the process, so have some old cleaning rags or towels on hand.

• Step #4: Take this opportunity to deep clean your refrigerator and freezer. Doing this before you transport them will reduce odors, and you will be glad they are clean when you plug everything back in at your new home. You can even put some boxes of baking soda inside the appliances until it is time to move them to help with any unpleasant odors.

• Step #5: Once everything is clean and dry, it is time to prep the refrigerator and freezer to be moved. You can start by wrapping up the power cords and securing them with heavy-duty rubber bands. Keeping the cords from dragging on the floor will make it safer for whoever will be moving them. Next, take inventory of the shelves and drawers in your refrigerator. If you have glass shelves, remove them and carefully pack them separately, as the fridge unit will shift and rock around as you move it, which can cause damage. Finally, we recommend wrapping the appliances with moving blankets to protect the finish from scratches and scrapes during the move.

• Step #6: Now that your appliance is ready to move, you will carefully use a moving dolly or furniture slider to transport the appliances to your mobile storage container. If you are not using professional labor assistance with appliance dollies, we highly recommend you ask for help getting the refrigerator or freezer onto the dolly and moving it outside. Moving a large fridge or standalone freezer should never be done by just one person.

• Step #7: You must never put your refrigerator in the unit on its back - keep your fridge upright during your move. Laying a refrigerator down can cause irreparable damage to your appliance. The best way to transport a fridge is to keep it upright. A refrigerator can be on its side for very short periods, but it must be left upright before being plugged back in. Most professionals will tell you to take the number of hours left on its side and multiply that by two to determine how long the refrigerator needs to be upright before plugging it in.

• Step #8: Packing your fridge or freezer away is your final task. If you are utilizing a traditional moving truck, you might have to lift it several feet to get it into place, which can damage the unit or cause injury to you and your moving help, while Zippy Shell’s portable moving units make it simpler. Once you have securely and safely loaded your fridge or freezer, it is time to anchor it down for the journey. To prevent damage, be sure to have appliance straps or strong bungee cords to wrap around your appliance to secure it to your moving solution. Once you have placed your straps to secure it, move the appliance from side to side and ensure no swaying is happening. Once this is completed, you are good to go! Just be sure to remove it at your new home carefully!

Important Takeaways for Moving Your Refrigerator and Freezer

We know how overwhelming moving can be, but don't be intimidated by these kitchen appliances. It's important to remember that planning makes all the difference, so put some time aside on your moving timeline for your refrigerators and freezers.

Don't forget to check the manufacturer instructions for your specific model - not all fridges are identical. The goal is to get these appliances from point A to point B safely and securely. The manufacturer's manual may have special tips or instructions for your model. And lastly, ask for help moving your appliances. Moving large items is a two-person job. Moving appliances and other heavy items are common causes of moving injuries, which can derail your plans, causing much more unneeded stress.

If you do not have a professional moving company or crew coming in to move your stuff, plan to have friends, family members, or neighbors come by and help you move these heavy appliances out to your mobile storage container. Never attempt to move these appliances by yourself!

Zippy Shell Can Make Your Move Simple

Moving fridges and freezes takes a bit of planning and elbow grease, so nothing could be easier than using Zippy Shell to make your move happen. With over 70 locations across the continental United States, we can help you get wherever you need.

Here is how it works: You choose your preferred date to get your moving and storage container delivered. You then take up to three days to pack at your pace - no having to move your stuff all in one day or afternoon. When ready, we will pick up your container and transport it to your new home! Or if you need to keep it in storage for a little while, you can do that at our local and secure warehouse facility.

Whether you are moving locally or long-distance, Zippy Shell has you covered. Give us a call or go online today for a free quote and see how we can make your upcoming moving and storage needs a breeze.