How to Move a Refrigerator by Yourself

Large furniture and appliances are difficult to move because they are heavy and bulky. This includes moving a refrigerator. Whether you are moving to a new house or doing some renovation or reorganization in your home, you should learn some useful tips on how to move a refrigerator the right way. It is important to follow these tips to ensure safety and convenience when moving your refrigerator.

Whether you are moving the refrigerator to another spot in your kitchen or to another house in a different city, it is important to empty the refrigerator of all its contents. This will prevent the contents from spilling or breaking while you are moving the fridge. This will also prevent damage inside your refrigerator caused by hard objects. Moreover, emptying the fridge before the move makes it considerably lighter and easier to carry.

Aside from the contents, you also need to remove some parts of the refrigerator like shelves, racks, bins, and trays. You should wrap and pack them in a separate box instead of leaving them inside the appliance, especially if you are moving to a new house. You do not need to do this if you are just moving the refrigerator to another area in your kitchen.

You need to ensure that the freezer is defrosted before the move. Defrosting the freezer usually takes up to eight hours. You should allow plenty of time before the move for defrosting. You can do this the night before the move so that the freezer will defrost overnight. This way, you only have to wipe and clean up the inside of the refrigerator when you wake up the next day. Remember to unplug the fridge to defrost and before cleaning up. It is also important to leave the door of the refrigerator open to let it dry. This will prevent musty smell and mold from developing inside the fridge.

To prevent the door from opening while moving the refrigerator, you should close it by tying a rope or bungee cord around the fridge. This will keep the door closed at all times during the move. However, do not tie the rope or cord very tightly around the fridge, or it may dislocate the door's hinges. You should also avoid using tape because this can leave a residue that can damage the finish of the refrigerator. You should also make sure that you wrap the power cord securely.

It is important to move the refrigerator without changing its upright position. This will ensure that the oil will not go into the cooling system, which can damage your fridge. If you really have to tilt the refrigerator when moving it through a low entryway, you still have to do it at an angle to ensure that the oil will remain in the compressor. You should ask the help of other people who can help you carry the fridge and maintain its upright position.