Unplug at least 24 hours in advance. Defrost your fridge or freezer per the manual and keep towels ready for the melt water — it runs longer than you'd expect. Drain your washing machine fully through the drain hose and the lint filter, then close the water supply. An appliance still full of water will leak in the van or in your storage, guaranteed. Keep loose plugs and hoses in a labelled bag.

Clean the inside thoroughly and let everything dry for at least a day before closing it up. A damp fridge or washing machine will turn musty or mouldy in storage, and that smell is almost impossible to get out. Remove loose drawers, glass shelves and racks and wrap them separately in bubble wrap. Leave the door ajar until transport so no moisture gets trapped.

Tape doors and flaps shut with moving tape so they don't swing open while someone's carrying the appliance — a fridge door against a shin is no fun. Tape the power cord to the back or coil it into a labelled bag. Do the same with hoses, screws and the lint filter. Don't put tape directly on painted surfaces; stick it to a cloth or the rubber trim to avoid residue.

Wrap the appliance in moving blankets and secure them with straps or stretch film — not tape on the paintwork. Protect the corners and the control panel especially, as that's where most damage happens. Need supplies? Moving blankets, film and strong tape can be ordered as an add-on service with your booking, guidance included. A few euros of protection always beats a new door panel or a scratch that costs you your deposit.

Don't count on superhuman strength. A full washing machine easily weighs 70 kilos, an American-style fridge more. Lift with your legs, keep the appliance close to your body and always do it with two people, ideally with a hand truck or lifting strap. No extra hands or a staircase without a lift? Add lifting help to your booking and we'll handle the heavy work — saving your back and the risk of damage.

Measure the appliance and the route before you lift: doorways, hallways, stair bends and the lift. Nothing's more frustrating than realising halfway up the stairs that the fridge won't quite fit through the door. Take doors off their hinges for those extra centimetres if needed, and clear the route of loose rugs and obstacles. Planning the route ahead prevents damage to the appliance, your walls and yourself.