How to Move a Refrigerator Safely

When you're moving homes, you might want to take everything with you — including the refrigerator. You may know how to move simple items like clothing and furniture, but appliances can be slightly more complicated. At first glance, moving such a large appliance might seem difficult, but luckily, you don't have to leave it behind. You can safely transport your fridge to your new home, saving money and keeping your familiar appliance. 

We won't sugarcoat it — moving a refrigerator can be challenging, especially if you've never done it before. Whether relocating across town or moving states, knowing how to move a fridge safely is crucial. This appliance is heavy yet delicate, requiring special care during transport to ensure it works properly when installed in your new kitchen. 

So, if you're wondering how to move a refrigerator safely, keep reading for our step-by-step guide.

Preparing for Moving a Refrigerator
How to Move a Fridge
Can You Transport a Refrigerator By Myself?
Can You Lay a Refrigerator on Its Side While Moving?
Tips for Moving a Refrigerator
Move Your Refrigerator Like a Pro

Preparing for Moving a Refrigerator 

Before pushing your refrigerator through the house and into a moving truck, you'll need to gather the necessary supplies and plan your approach. Here's what you'll need: 

• Appliance dolly
• Moving straps
• Packing tape
• Blankets or moving pads
• Cleaning supplies
• Additional helpers

These items will make the process smoother and help you protect your fridge during the move. 

How to Move a Fridge

Moving a refrigerator isn't something you should take lightly; it involves several steps to ensure the appliance's safety and functionality. Let's break down the process. 

1. Measure the fridge 

Measuring the fridge is often an overlooked step, but it's crucial for several reasons: 

• Ensures it fits through doorways and hallways in your home
• Confirms it will fit in the designated space in your new home
• Helps you determine if you need to remove any doors or handles for the move

Measure your refrigerator's height, width, and depth, and compare these dimensions to the pathways it will travel during the move. 

2. Empty the refrigerator and clean

The next step is to empty and clean the appliance. Toss out all food items and take out any removable shelves, drawers, and ice trays. Disposing of perishables or packing them in a cooler for short-term storage can also be a good idea if you don't want to lose any food during the moving process. 

Once empty, thoroughly clean your fridge. This process allows you to start fresh in your new location and prevents any odors from developing during the move. 

3. Disconnect and defrost

Always unplug the refrigerator from the power source before you move it. If your fridge has a water line for an ice maker or water dispenser, turn off the water supply and disconnect the line. 

You should also allow the refrigerator to defrost completely. Defrosting the fridge is important because any remaining ice can melt during transport, potentially causing water damage or mold growth. Give your fridge at least 24 hours to defrost.

4. Protect it for the move

Once your refrigerator is empty, clean, and defrosted, you can prepare it for the move. You'll need to protect the appliance similarly to how you'd protect furniture, but with a few differences. Secure the doors with appliance straps or strong tape to prevent them from swinging open when lifting and moving the fridge from location to location.

After you've secured the doors, wrap the entire refrigerator in moving blankets to prevent scratches and dents. Pay special attention to corners and protruding parts. 

5. Use a dolly to transport

When it comes to learning how to transport a refrigerator, a sturdy appliance dolly is a tool you don't want to go without. Here's how to use it: 

• Pick up or tilt the refrigerator to get it onto the dolly
• Use straps to secure the fridge to the dolly
• Tilt the dolly back, distributing the weight evenly
• Move slowly and carefully, using a helper to guide you

Remember, refrigerators are top-heavy, so move with caution to prevent tipping. 

6. Secure in a moving truck 

Once you've successfully removed the refrigerator from your home, you can begin loading it into the moving truck. During this process, keep the fridge upright at all times. When loading it in the vehicle, place it against the wall of the truck, preferably in a corner. 

Then, use straps to secure the appliance to the wall to prevent movement during transport. You can also place padding around it for extra protection. 

This process might seem daunting, but properly securing your fridge in the truck prevents damage during transit, especially for long-distance moves.

Can You Transport a Refrigerator By Myself?

While it's possible to move a refrigerator by yourself, it's not something most experts recommend. Refrigerators are heavy, bulky, and awkward to maneuver alone. The risk of injury to yourself or damage to the appliance is high when attempting a solo move. 

It's always better to have at least one or two helpers when moving a refrigerator. This ensures safer handling, especially when going up or down stairs or navigating tight spaces. If you're transporting a large fridge or moving long-distance, consider hiring professional movers who have experience when it comes to moving a fridge safely. 

Can You Lay a Refrigerator on Its Side While Moving?

The question, "Can you transport a refrigerator lying down," is common, and the answer is: it's possible, but not ideal. If you absolutely must lay your refrigerator on its side, follow these guidelines: 

• Only lay it on the side opposite the compressor (check your manual for more information about where that might be)
• Never lay it on its back or front
• If laid on its side, wait at least 8 to 24 hours before plugging it in at the new location

The reason for the caution is that laying a refrigerator on its side can cause oil, gas, or liquid refrigerant to flow throughout the fridge, leading to damage when the appliance is turned back on. If you must move your fridge on its side, always return it to an upright position as soon as possible and wait as long as you can before plugging it in to allow it enough time to return to normal. 

Tips for Moving a Refrigerator 

Moving a refrigerator doesn't have to be complicated. Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when learning how to move a refrigerator to your new home:

• Plan your route in advance to ensure clear pathways 
• Remove obstacles like rugs or small furniture items
• Protect your floors with cardboard or plastic sheeting
• Choose a climate-controlled storage unit if self-storing your refrigerator 
• Label cords and take photos of connections for easy setup later

Move Your Refrigerator Like a Pro

Moving a refrigerator can seem complicated because they're heavy, but with the right tools and extra help, anyone can move it like a pro. Following the steps provided in this article ensures your appliance arrives safely at its new location. 

If you're in the midst of a move or need a place to store your refrigerator temporarily, consider using a storage facility. Key Storage offers climate-controlled units perfect for storing appliances and other belongings. Find available storage units near you.