Packing Tips and Moving a Fridge or Washer
FixCode Guide may earn a commission when you buy parts through links on this site, at no extra cost to you.
Quick answer: Pack heavy items in small boxes and label each box by room. For appliances, follow the owner’s manual: empty and unplug the fridge ahead of time so it can defrost and dry, and secure a front-load washer drum with the shipping bolts or method the manual specifies. Disconnecting a gas dryer or range is a job for a qualified pro.
⚠ Safety first:
- Lift with your legs, get help for heavy items, and use a dolly or hand truck for appliances.
- Keep walkways and stairs clear and don’t block doors you may need to exit through.
- Never let anyone pressure you into signing blank or incomplete paperwork (FMCSA; FTC).
- Turn off water to the washer before disconnecting hoses, and keep a bucket and towels handy.
- Never disconnect a gas line yourself; if you smell gas, leave and call the gas utility or 911.
Steps: easiest & free first
- Pack smartFREE
Heavy items in small boxes, light items in big boxes; label room and contents; keep an essentials box with you. - Empty the fridgeFREE
Use up food, then empty and unplug it ahead of moving day per your manual so it can defrost; prop doors open and wipe it dry. - Disconnect the washerFREE
Turn off the valves, disconnect and drain hoses, and unplug. - Secure the washer drumSHOP
Install the shipping bolts or follow your manual’s transport steps, especially for front-loaders. - Electric dryerFREE
Unplug and disconnect the vent duct. See our dryer guide if it doesn’t heat after the move. - Gas dryer or range: call a proPRO
Have a qualified technician or the gas utility disconnect and reconnect it. - Use a dollySHOP
Strap appliances upright to an appliance dolly.
⚠ When to call a pro: gas appliances (disconnecting and reconnecting a gas dryer or range is a job for a qualified pro); damaged walls, floors or fixtures beyond small touch-ups; a mover who holds your belongings for more money or disappears (file with FMCSA at 1-888-DOT-SAFT, or your state attorney general for in-state moves); and deposit disputes your landlord won’t resolve. Renting? See what you can fix vs. call your landlord.
Helpful supplies
| Item | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance dolly with strap | Move fridges and washers upright | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
| Washer transit/shipping bolts | Per your model’s manual | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
| Moving blankets | Protect finishes and doorways | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
Generic categories only; check the product label and your home’s needs before buying.