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I will shortly be moving into my first rented accommodation (finally flying the nest!), and a colleague has offered me their washing machine and fridge/freezer as they are remodelling their kitchen. How nice of them, I know!

I will be having to hire a van to go and pick them up, and I can imagine transporting them with a little lifting help will be simple enough. Just lift and push!

However... I am worried about potential water hazards and the lack of "transporting bolts".

I had the idea of wrapping both in cling film (clear plastic wrap) but I am not sure if this is the best idea.

Could somebody give me a best solution for this?

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    Hi physicsboy, Welcome to Lifehacks.SE. We hope you enjoy sharing knowledge and experience. Rent a big enough hand truck to move the appliances when you rent the van - to be kind to the appliances, the premises, and your backs.
    – Stan
    Jun 27, 2019 at 13:15
  • Does this question really make sense for LifeHacks.SE? Wouldn't this be more on-topic at diy.stackexchange.com ?
    – chicks
    Jul 3, 2019 at 18:37

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I don't think that you would need to wrap in cling film. If it is a hot day and you start to sweat this could become a nightmare. All of my experience (moving 5-6 fridges/ washing machines in my life) we have always moved it as is but used blankets to cover it once in the van.

Tip 1) the fridge/ washing machine needs to be turned off for at least 24 hours before moving

Tip 2) When transporting the fridge keep the bottom at the bottom (silly I know, but common sense isn't that common!) and tilt it as little as possible

Tip 3) If you are moving mostly on flat surfaces (without many stairs), consider using a skate of some sort to rest the fridge on so a) you don't have to do the heavy lifting and b) the fridge stays upright

Tip 3) Wear a pair of gloves that offer some good grip. I recently moved a SMEG fridge into our new place and ended up with cut hands from the bottom of the fridge.

Tip 4) Leave both off for 24 hours once you've got them in place

Tip 5) Be gentle!

Hope these help in any way and happy moving!

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    I am not sure your tip 1 "turned off for at least 24 hours before moving" is required. Change to Tip 4) Leave both unplugged for 24 hours once you've got them in place and you should be good. Otherwise looks good. This reference says they only need to stay unplugged for 24 hours if they were on their side. I know that when I bought a new fridge, the delivery guys plugged it in right away.
    – James Jenkins
    Jun 27, 2019 at 12:44
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    @JamesJenkins the turning off before is to ensure that all gas settles at the lower extremes, as you wouldn't want to be moving with anything still circulating. Likewise with leaving it off once moved, allowing the gas to settle before turning on. Not requirements, just passing advice, is all :)
    – Dean
    Jun 27, 2019 at 12:57
  • Good point, when I buy a new fridge it has not been plugged in recently (it is new in the box) and it is transported upright by trained staff.
    – James Jenkins
    Jun 27, 2019 at 12:59
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    @physicsboy I was a professional mover for a few years. The washing machine is a leak risk, before loading it into the truck, disconnect the drain hose from the washing machine, and take it to a lawn or somewhere it is okay to get wet, and tilt it back to encourage drainage. When you store it, re-attach the drain hose, to the back of the washer, and zip tie it in a vertical position, and then nothing should leak while it is in storage. The fridge/freezer would only leak if there was frost build up that melted, which is not very common.
    – Paul Davis
    Jun 27, 2019 at 15:43
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    Don't be concerned about it; youre going to be careful, the shippers who move washing machines for the manufacturer probably throw them off stacks of washers 4-high. If you've ever seen how much a drum bucks and rocks around when you throw a wet towel in it you wont worry about trundling a washer down a bumpy road
    – Caius Jard
    Jun 30, 2019 at 5:09

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