How to move heavy appliances without damaging your home

Whether moving houses, switching up your floor plan, or buying new equipment for your home, moving big and heavy appliances is daunting. It usually takes more than one person to do it, and even then, it must be done carefully because one wrong move can lead to disaster.

If you have to move a refrigerator, a washing machine, an oven or any other heavy machine, you must be prepared with the right tools and techniques — maybe you’ll even need to hire someone for your move! Learn how to move heavy appliances with this guide!

Moving by hand vs. Moving using equipment

Most people don’t have special moving equipment like carts and dollies lying around in their homes. It could be tempting to move the appliances by hand, enlisting a couple of friends to help you move.

However, moving large appliances this way can be difficult and dangerous. The sheer weight of a refrigerator or a stove can put too much stress on your body, leading to aches and pains. Also, one wrong move by any of the people moving the appliance can cause damage to the machine, the surroundings, and the other people carrying it.

Therefore it’s inadvisable to move appliances by hand—unless it’s a small appliance. It would help if you used the proper equipment, like appliance moving straps and mats.

How to move large appliances and what to prepare

It’s important to be prepared when it comes to moving heavy appliances. Many things could go wrong, especially with your surroundings. Learn how to move appliances without scratching the floor before starting your lift and other techniques to safely move your heavy appliances.

Step 1: Set up your equipment

What you may need:

• Dolly

• Moving straps

• Furniture Sliders

• Moving pads

• Tape

• Gloves

Having all the equipment you need before lifting the machine is important. You must protect the area you’re moving through, especially if you’re moving to an apartment. Clear the path and set up floor protection for moving appliances. There are plastic furniture sliders that are more common and prevent scratches well. Still, something as simple as plywood or carpets can suffice, especially when moving appliances on hardwood floors. 

Step 2: Prepare the appliances for the move

Different appliances require different preparation as well for you to move them safely. Here are some of the things you can do to prep before moving some common heavy appliances:

• Refrigerator: Remove the food from the inside and unplug the fridge. Then, let it defrost for 24 hours before the move to make sure all the moisture from the inside is gone.

• Stove and oven: Remove all the racks and grates, then tape the door shut to ensure none of the parts move or damage the machine.

• Washer and dryer: Clean the insides of these machines well, then let them air dry with the door open for 24 hours to ensure all the moisture is gone from the inside.

As a general rule for all appliances, make sure to clean the exteriors of all appliances before moving. If any parts are vulnerable, like handles and knobs, try wrapping them up with tape to secure them or removing them to keep them safe.

Step 3: Carefully move the appliance

Slow and steady wins the race when it comes to moving large appliances. If you’re able to, get a dolly or a cart that you can use to lift your heavy appliances and wheel them out safely. This is also a great way to ensure you can move it onto a truck or car safely, as you can use a ramp and bring it up on wheels.

When moving through tight hallways and corners, it would be good to protect the walls with some padding in case of any accidents. Moving pads are available at every hardware store, but old carpets and cardboard are enough.

When to call for professional help

If you don’t know how to move large appliances, you will be better off calling for professional help. On big moves where you need a lot of appliances moved, or for long hauls, getting a professional to help you can be the difference between a running refrigerator and a broken one. They can even help move machines beyond the home, like vending machines!

Airtasker can help you move large appliances, with plenty of Taskers willing to help you safely get your machines to another location. They’re equipped with the right tools and techniques and can guarantee a safe trip for your heavy appliances. Just post a task up on the platform and wait for a Tasker to pick up the job!