How to Move a Refrigerator by Yourself

If you are moving your fridge or freezer without having to go down steps, then, as long as you and your moving help are physically strong enough, and have the right equipment, it should not be too troublesome.

The problem is if you need to negotiate flights of stairs. In this situation, it is safer for you and the appliance to call in the pros. They will have the skills, equipment, and knowledge to get your fridge to floor level safely. It is not worth saving a few pounds when the risks far outweigh the cost.

So, if you are confident in your ability to move your fridge or freezer with some help, this week’s home moving blog walks you step-by-step through the process of safely relocating your fridge or freezer.

Packing Supplies & Equipment List

Here is what packing supplies and moving equipment you’ll need to prepare, pack, transport, load, unload, and re-install your fridge.

• An appliance dolly (rentable from reliable removal companies or hire shops)
• Packing paper
• Bubble wrap®
• Strong moving boxes
• Furniture blankets, or towels, or blankets
• Moving straps or rope
• Tools for disconnecting the water supply if it has an ice machine or water filter
• Packing tape
• Industrial cling film
• Cleaning supplies
• Work gloves for improved grip
• At least one helper, preferably two

You may also like to read: How to Move a Washing Machine Without Getting in a Spin. The chances are that if you are moving a fridge or freezer by yourself, then you will also want to know how to move your washing machine or dryer. This guide will take you through every step of the process of relocating your washer or dryer.

How To Prepare Your Refrigerator For Moving

Once you have acquired the required packing materials and equipment, it’s time to get down to getting your fridge ready for transportation.

Step 1: At least a few days before moving day, empty the contents of your fridge and use up, or give away, the food and drinks stored in it.

Step 2: Pack the fridge contents you’re taking with you in the moving boxes.

Step 3: Turn off your refrigerator and unplug it safely from the mains. If the kitchen appliance is equipped with a water or ice dispenser, turn off and disconnect the water supply.

Step 4: Let your refrigerator defrost completely. The process usually takes between 6 and 8 hours, so it’s best if you do it overnight.

Step 5: Take all removable parts out of the appliance (shelves, drawers, lids, etc.) and pack them separately using plenty of packing paper, bubble wrap®, or old pieces of clothing. Label them if necessary.

Step 6: Clean your fridge thoroughly and make sure the inside is completely dry.

Step 7: Leave the refrigerator doors open to avoid the buildup of mildew or unpleasant odors. If there’s a residual musty smell even after the cleaning, consider leaving a container of baking soda inside to neutralize the odor.

You may also like to read: Hot Tips on How to Move an Oven to Your New Home. This guide explains how to pack and move various types of ovens from Rangemasters to electric ovens. It is essential reading if you are planning on moving an oven yourself.

How To Pack Your Refrigerator For Moving

Step 1: On the day before moving day, secure the fridge doors with rope, a strong cord, or industrial wrap to avoid their accidental opening during transportation.

Step 2: Coil the power cord, secure it with zip ties, and secure it to the back of the fridge.

Step 3: Wrap the entire appliance with moving blankets (or towels) to minimize the risk of damage to the kitchen appliance as well as to your property.

Industrial shrink wrap is perfect for securing protective blankets and cardboard in place and is available from most DIY stores.

You may also like to read: How to Pack a Kitchen for Moving Home. The Ultimate Guide. The kitchen is often one of the most time-consuming rooms to pack when moving home. In this essential guide, we share some tips to make packing and moving your kitchen less daunting.

How To Move Your Refrigerator Out Of Your Home

Always use the right equipment to move your refrigerator out of your home and for loading it onto the moving lorry.

The best option is to use an appliance dolly (also known as a furniture dolly).

A dolly of the right size may be a good investment on your part and a useful addition to your new residence, be it even to move your refrigerator a short distance to clean behind it.

This extremely helpful piece of moving equipment will prove to be an irreplaceable helper when moving other heavy furniture and appliances in your home as well.

How to move a refrigerator with a dolly?

Step 1: Move the fridge a few steps away from the wall, tip it slightly, and slide the appliance dolly underneath it.

Step 2: Tilt the dolly back until the kitchen appliance is balanced on the wheels.

Step 3: Once your refrigerator is well-positioned on the dolly, secure it safely to the moving equipment with the help of moving straps or a long piece of rope.

Step 4: Avoid laying the fridge on its side or even tilting it at an angle greater than 45 degrees because you could damage your appliance. Read the safety tips below for more information.

Step 5: With one person at the front of the loaded dolly and another one at the back, start wheeling the appliance out of your home. The strong rubber wheels of the moving equipment will enable you to move your refrigerator without scratching the floor and move it across the room with minimum effort.

Step 6: To move a refrigerator through a door, you may need to get a bit creative. If a doorway is a bit too narrow to get the fridge through and all your maneuvering attempts fail, consider removing the door of your home temporarily to accommodate the appliance. If your refrigerator has a protruding part that gets in the way (for example, a handle), see if you can take it off.

Step 7: Be extremely careful when moving a refrigerator downstairs. Go very slowly and gently, only one step at a time, and if possible, have a third person to help the one who’s holding the handles of the dolly.

Step 8: Once you’re safely outside, pull the loaded dolly up the loading ramp. Have an extra person help you.

Step 9: Your refrigerator, together with all other large and heavy appliances and furniture pieces, should be loaded onto the moving vehicle first.

Step 10: Tie the fridge securely to the side walls of the vehicle with moving straps or rope. Remember: any shifts of the appliance while in transit should be eliminated or at least kept to an absolute minimum.

You may also like to read: How to Move Heavy Furniture. In this guide, we look at how to move heavy and large pieces of furniture and appliances in far more depth.

How To Move Your Refrigerator Into Your New Home

Step 1: When you reach your new house or flat, use the same techniques (in reverse order) to position the fridge on the dolly, unload it carefully using the moving vehicle ramp, wheel it safely inside your new home, and place your refrigerator into its final position.

Step 2: Once the fridge is standing upright in the kitchen, wait for at least 3 hours before you plug it in and turn it on. This is a critical step because the cooling fluids require plenty of time to flow back into the compressor. Be patient. You can use the time to place the fridge components back in and clean it again if necessary.

Step 3: Some fridges require 2 to 3 days to reach their optimum functionality again after the move is complete.

You may also like to read: My Furniture Won’t Fit Through the Door. Now What? If you are moving home yourself, finding out that your appliances or furniture won’t fit through a doorway can be a show-stopper on moving day. In this guide, we share tips so that you do not fall victim to this common moving day problem.

Safety Tips For Moving A Refrigerator

• When moving a refrigerator, can you lay it down? Do your best not to do it. Keep your fridge in an upright position during all moving stages, or at least as much as possible. Despite its robust look and feel, your refrigerator has a fragile cooling mechanism. When placed on its sides or tipped over excessively, the oil in the compressor will run into the cooling lines, which is bad for the appliance.
• How long after moving a fridge can you turn it on? When placed upright again, the oil starts the slow return journey to the compressor, but if some oil remains in the cooling lines, then the fridge will not operate normally and may have to be serviced. This is the reason why you’ll need to wait for a minimum of 3 hours before you turn on your kitchen appliance.
• Check the operation manual of your fridge if you’re not sure how to safely connect or disconnect it from the power or water supply networks.
• If you intend to place your refrigerator in storage, make sure it has been completely cleaned and dried. Leave the door slightly ajar to avoid the buildup of mildew.

Above all, do not rush the operation of moving your fridge from one home to another. Think through each of your actions and make safety your top priority.

If you don’t have enough helpers or if you do but still hit a dead end, then don’t hesitate to contact professional movers who know exactly what it takes to move a refrigerator safely and speedily.

You may also like to read: How to Pick a Good Removal Company. The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide. By now, you will have realised that packing and moving your appliances is no easy task, and often leaving it to the professionals is your best bet. In this guide, we take you step-by-step through the process of picking the best removal company for your particular needs.

Good luck with your move, and be sure to visit our home moving blog, which is packed with guides to make every aspect of your home move easier, cheaper, and safer.