Moving appliances: 6 rules for fridge and washing machine

Unplug at least 24 hours in advance. Practical:

• Defrost your fridge or freezer per the manual — keep towels ready for the melt water, it runs longer than you'd expect
• Drain your washing machine fully through the drain hose and lint filter — then close the water supply
• Keep loose plugs and hoses in a labelled bag

Tip: an appliance still full of water will leak in the van or in your storage, guaranteed. This is the #1 reason people regret it later.

Clean thoroughly and let dry for at least a day before closing it up. Practical:

• Remove loose drawers, glass shelves and racks — wrap them separately in bubble wrap
• Leave the door ajar until transport so no moisture gets trapped

Tip: a damp fridge or washing machine in storage will turn musty or mouldy — and that smell is almost impossible to get out. Really let it dry.

Tape doors shut with moving tape — never directly on painted surfaces. Practical:

• Secure the power cord with tape on the back or coil it in a labelled bag
• Hoses, screws and lint filter in the same bag
• Stick tape to a cloth or the rubber trim to avoid residue

Wrap in moving blankets and secure with straps or stretch film — not tape on the paintwork. Protection:

• Extra attention to corners and the control panel — that's where most damage happens
• Moving blankets, film and strong tape can be ordered as an add-on with your booking, guidance included

Tip: a few euros of protection always beats a new door panel or a scratch that your insurance won't fully cover.

Never lift alone — appliances weigh more than you think. Concretely:

• Washing machine: easily 70 kilos. American-style fridge: more
• Lift with your legs, keep the appliance close to your body
• Always with two people, ideally with a hand truck or lifting strap

Tip: The Dutch Arbo lifting norm of 25kg per person shows why appliances aren't a 1-person job. No extra hands or stairs without a lift? Add lifting help to your booking.

Measure the appliance and the route before you lift. Practical:

• Doorways, hallways, stair bends and the lift
• Take doors off their hinges for those extra centimetres if needed
• Clear the route of loose rugs and obstacles

Tip: nothing's more frustrating than realising halfway up the stairs that the fridge won't fit through the door. Walking the route ahead prevents damage to appliance, walls and yourself.