4 min read

Moving a Fridge or Freezer the Right Way

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.
By
Moving a Fridge or Freezer the Right Way

Moving companies services at low-cost

(All Covered. No Hassle.) Budget-friendly moving service trusted by thousands of customers across NZ. Door to Door delivery. Same Day service.
What are you moving?
Newshub Stuff SCOOP Yahoo!

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 it. 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 your 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 which 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 create one delivery job request, and Wise Move will look for New Zealand's most trusted moving companies. 

Moving companies services at low-cost

(All Covered. No Hassle.) Budget-friendly moving service trusted by thousands of customers across NZ. Door to Door delivery. Same Day service.
What are you moving?
Newshub Stuff SCOOP Yahoo!

What do our customers say?

Read reviews of Wise Move to learn stories from our customers.
$300
Saint Johns, Auckland
Penrose, Auckland
10
McKenzie
Reviewed 8 hours ago
The guys were amazing! Clear communication, happy to adjust the booking for me and got everything where it needed to be with no problems. Highly recommend, they made it super easy!
$440
Hillsborough, Auckland
Warkworth
10
Frank
Reviewed 10 hours ago
Great service. Excellent in every regard. Highly recommended.
$80
Otahuhu, Auckland
Ellerslie, Auckland
10
Rosie
Reviewed 11 hours ago
Really easy to communicate with and very professional and organised.
$389
Luggate
Spreydon, Christchurch
10
Mathew
Reviewed 11 hours ago
Shane collected my pride and joy from Luggate and delivered it to Christchurch without issue. I was kept in the loop by both him and the ops team.
$149
5 piece bedroom suite chest of draws
Wellington Central, Wellington
Karori, Wellington
10
Michelle
Reviewed 12 hours ago
Wellington move were wonderful to deal with.
$230
Truck guards 1200mm x 800mm
Puhoi
Maidstone, Upper Hutt
10
Wayne
Reviewed 12 hours ago
Great start to using Wise Move for the first time. Really impressed with the whole process.
$90
Wellington Central, Wellington
Khandallah, Wellington
10
May
Reviewed 12 hours ago
Very happy with their service, the sideboard unit was heavy but they managed really well
$295
Whitby, Porirua
Ellerslie, Auckland
10
John
Reviewed 13 hours ago
Awesome company to deal with, did far more than expected. Appreciated the effort and commitment to see that everything was delivered correctly.

For every (wise)move

TradeMe purchase pickup and delivery service across NZ
TradeMe Delivery
Get your heavy-large TradeMe purchase picked up and delivered by our movers anywhere in NZ.
Learn more
Car transport nz
Car Transport
Our professional car transport teams from across New Zealand are the best at what they do.
Learn more
Motorbike transport nz
Motorcycle Transport
Our pros take everything into consideration when ensuring the safety and well-being of your bike.
Learn more
Piano transport
Piano Move
Moving a piano requires the expertise to ensure is kept safe and protected on the road.
Learn more
Furniture removals
Furniture Removals
Our teams will treat your possessions like they would their own, ensuring that the greatest care and diligence is taken.
Learn more
Pet transport nz
Pet Transport
During the transport our teams will ensure full care, well-being and friendliness as if they were our own.
Learn more
Boat transport nz
Boat Transport
Our transport teams will ensure your boats will be delivered safely, efficiently and on time.
Learn more