Are you moving home soon? There's no doubt that when packing for a move, the kitchen is the most challenging room to deal with. Not only do you have fragile items like chinawares and glasses to move, but you also have big and bulky appliances such as the fridge or freezer.
Moving your fridge or freezer is not an easy task. Not only these appliances are bulky and cumbersome to move, but they also cost a lot. And if you do not have the necessary equipment and you’re not properly prepared for moving these items, your fridge or freezer could be damaged. However, you can make the job much easier by planning and knowing how to move the fridge properly.
If you are looking for some tips on how to successfully move a fridge and freezer. Be sure to go through these steps before making a move.
1. Empty the fridge and defrost the unit
The fridge must be empty before you move it. Removing everything inside the fridge will make it lighter, easier and safer to move. Start meal planning and consume perishable foods in your fridge. If you have food that has not been consumed yet, consider sharing them with your friends or neighbours.
Once your refrigerator is completely empty, it's time to clean and disinfect the appliances’ interior and surface. Clean surfaces by using vinegar or baking soda, which helps remove any unruly odours.
Finally, it's time to defrost it. Normally, this can take between 6 and 8 hours. Unplug the power plug from the wall and prepare a few towels for drying off any puddles that form while the fridge is defrosting.
2. Pack your fridge carefully
Once everything is completely dry, it is time to pack it. First, take out removable items such as drawers, trays and glass shelves. Once removed, clean all those items and carefully wrap the glass parts with bubble wrap or towels. You should put these items in a separate box and make sure to label each item. Once the above steps are complete, wrap your fridge with moving blankets or plastic wrap, then ensure that the doors of your fridge are closed. You can do this by using packaging tape or bungee straps.
3. Moving your fridge or freezer to the moving truck
As you know, the fridge or freezer is very heavy, so before you move it, find someone to help you, especially when lifting. Making use of your appliance dolly to move your fridge or freezer will make it easier. If this is your first time moving and you're planning to hire a moving company, they certainly have this available.
Moving a fridge or freezer needs a lot of care. Carefully slide the unit out and get them into a dolly, or sometimes you just have to lift them gently. Since weight can shift when you are moving your fridge, secure it by using bungee straps to prevent it from tipping over. If you are moving through staircases, communicate effectively with your helper, don’t panic and take your time to move your fridge and freezer.
You have two options on how you can place your fridge into the moving truck. First, you can use a ramp but make sure it is properly fitted into the moving truck. Another option is lifting the item carefully, but you need more movers to do it.
4. Moving the fridge to its new home
This part should actually be pretty easy. Once you've arrived in your new home, carefully move your fridge into its new space. Wait for at least one to two hours before turning it on. Even if it's placed in an upright position, there might be some oils or leaks from the compressor and might cause damage to your freezer.
Moving a fridge or freezer is not an easy task, especially if you are moving out for the first time. These tips will make you more prepared and give you the chance to have a positive moving experience. But if you are thinking of hiring professional Auckland movers or Wellington movers, Wise Move is a great platform to use. Wise Move will help you find experienced, knowledgeable and well-equipped trusted home movers to move your large and heavy items with ease. Just submit one delivery job request, and Wise Move will look for New Zealand's most trusted moving companies.
