Understanding how to move your fridge safely and efficiently requires knowledgeable techniques for residential moves and interior reorganisation. Proper planning shouldn’t be just a suggestion because it protects you from injuries and prevents damage to your appliance and property, ensuring a smooth refrigerator moving process.

National Removalist recognises your requirements by prioritising strategic planning when transporting a fridge.

➜ Related: How to Move a Washing Machine

Why Moving a Fridge Is Tricky

Moving a fridge is remarkably difficult, and for good reason!

Moving a refrigerator requires much more effort than basic box-shifting. Refrigerators exceed normal room dimensions and present obstacles when passing through doorways and hallways. Their heavy weight makes this appliance dangerous to handle and can cause injuries and damage.

Beyond the bulk, refrigerators’ internal sensitivity makes appliance relocation particularly challenging. A refrigerator possesses critical components such as the compressor and refrigerant lines that may experience damage due to poor handling and incorrect placement during transport.

There are several risks associated with improper fridge transport:

• Physical Damage: It can develop visible marks and experience internal component failures when dropped.
• Internal Damage: The unit may sustain permanent damage from improper tilting, as oil from the compressor will enter the refrigerant lines, costing substantial repair expenses or rendering it inoperable.
• Safety Hazards: Improperly securing refrigerators during transportation might allow shifts within the vehicle, resulting in appliance or vehicle damage and possible injuries to passengers.

Many people make common mistakes when moving a refrigerator:

• Failure to Empty and Defrost
• Unsecured Doors
• Insufficient Protection
• Inadequate Equipment and Manpower

Preparation is key if you’re wondering how to move a fridge safely. Proper ways are required to learn how to prepare a fridge for moving.

Tools & Equipment You’ll Need to Move a Fridge

to the refrigerator or your property. Here’s a breakdown of the essential equipment and other items that fridge movers frequently uses that you’ll need:

• Fridge Trolley (Appliance Dolly): This is arguably the most crucial piece of equipment. A sturdy appliance dolly with strong straps can handle refrigerators. Select a product with rubber wheels because they enhance grip performance and minimise floor damage.
• Moving Straps (Lifting Straps): The straps enable two people to distribute weight evenly to lift and carry the fridge more safely and conveniently. Regularly check that the straps support your refrigerator weight and show no wear.
• Moving Blankets (Furniture Pads): Refrigerators’ outer protection requires moving blankets that act as furniture pads to protect against transport-related scratches and denting. Use tape to secure the moving blankets firmly around the whole refrigerator.
• Furniture Sliders (Appliance Sliders): These simplify refrigerator movement across flat surfaces, especially during tight corner and extended-distance transitions. Place the sliders under the corners of the fridge to reduce friction.

Beyond these primary tools, remember the importance of safety gear:

• Work Gloves: Provide a better grip and protect your hands from sharp edges or rough surfaces.
• Back Support Belt: This can offer added stability and support for your core muscles when lifting.
• Closed-Toe Shoes: Protect your feet from accidental bumps or if the fridge is accidentally dropped.

Investing in the right equipment and prioritising safety through proper gear and thorough planning can significantly reduce the risks of moving a heavy, delicate appliance like a refrigerator. Your local movers may have the proper one so consider hiring them.

How to Prepare a Fridge for Moving

The correct preparation of your refrigerator is your initial and critical requirement to achieve a problem-free transportation process. Knowing how to prepare a fridge for moving thoroughly will save you time, effort, and potential headaches down the line. Here are the detailed steps involved in preparing the fridge for the move:

• Empty the Refrigerator and Freezer: Remove all food items, condiments, and drawers from both the refrigerator and freezer compartments. To minimise food waste, do this a day or two before your move.
• Defrost the Freezer: This is a critical step. Unplug your refrigerator and allow the freezer to defrost completely. This process can take several hours, so plan accordingly. Place towels or trays inside and around the freezer to catch any melting ice and water. Speed up the process by leaving the freezer door open or using a hairdryer in a low, warm setting (never hot).
• Clean the Interior: After defrosting your fridge, you should clean all interior areas with warm water mixed with mild detergent. You must clean every surface area inside the freezer, including the shelves and drawers. This eliminates mould formation and foul odours when you travel with your fridge. Ensure everything is completely dry before proceeding.
• Remove and Secure Internal Parts: Remove all removable shelves, drawers, and ice cube trays. Wrap each item individually with bubble wrap or moving blankets and secure them with tape. This prevents them from shifting and breaking during the move. If space allows, you can also place these wrapped items inside the fridge cavity, further securing them.
• Unplug the Refrigerator: After cleaning and drying, ensure the refrigerator is completely unplugged from the power outlet. Secure the power cord to the back of the fridge with tape to prevent it from dangling and getting damaged.
• Secure the Doors: To prevent the doors from swinging open during transport, secure the fridge doors closed with packing tape or moving straps. Wrap tape completely around each wall of the fridge to secure the doors in place. Packing services from fridge movers will do the trick.

By following these detailed steps on how to prepare a fridge for moving, you signific

How to Move a Fridge Safely

A properly organised method allows you to accomplish safe and efficient fridge relocation. This guide on how to move a fridge provides specific tips to help users who plan to transport their refrigerators.

Planning and Preparation for Your Fridge Move

Proper planning and preparation are essential before any heavy lifting when considering how to move your fridge. This stage sets the foundation for a smooth and safe fridge-moving experience.

The first step is to establish open passageways between the fridge’s current location and its intended placement. Remove all obstacles from the pathway, including furniture, rugs, and debris. Whether you’re a DIY fridge mover or using a fridge moving service, a clear pathway is vital.

Utilising a Trolley/Dolly for Safe Fridge Transport

The use of a trolley or dolly is paramount for safely transporting a fridge and preventing injuries. This equipment is invaluable when undertaking a moving refrigerator task.

• Secure the Fridge: Carefully tilt the fridge slightly (remembering never to tilt excessively) to position the trolley/dolly underneath. Ensure the fridge is stable and securely fastened to the dolly using strong straps. This is a standard technique for anyone transporting fridges or providing fridge transport service.
• Manoeuvring the Fridge: Once secured, the fridge can be moved using the dolly on the path that you have cleared. You need to maintain a slow and deliberate pace, specifically at corners and on uneven terrain. Your fridge move process becomes smoother when you choose to have guidance from another person.

The Importance of Proper Lifting Technique

While the dolly handles most of the weight, there might be instances where some lifting is required. Employing the correct lifting technique (never tilt excessively) is crucial for your safety and the integrity of the moving fridge.

• Lift with Your Legs: When lifting any part of the fridge, always bend your knees and keep your back straight. Avoid twisting your body. Enlist the help of another person whenever lifting is necessary.
• Minimise Tilting: As the guideline emphasises, never tilt excessively when lifting or moving the refrigerator. Excessive tilting can damage the compressor and other internal components. This is a vital consideration for what to do when moving a fridge.

Whether undertaking a personal fridge transport project in a residential move or looking into appliance movers, understanding these principles will ensure a safer and more efficient process.

Transporting a Fridge: What You Need to Know

Proper planning leads to successful transporting a fridge. This guide highlights the key aspects you need to understand, whether you’re handling a fridge transport yourself or hiring fridge movers.

Loading Your Fridge into the Vehicle

The loading into the vehicle stage is critical for the safe transport of the fridge. Proper technique minimises the risk of damage during transit, whether using your vehicle, moving truck rental, or a dedicated fridge transport service.

• Use Proper Equipment: Employ a sturdy trolley/dolly to move the fridge to the vehicle. This reduces strain and makes the process safer. If you’ve hired appliance movers or a fridge-moving service, they will have the necessary equipment.
• Secure the Fridge: Once in the vehicle, carefully lift the fridge onto the loading area. Use straps to firmly secure the refrigerator to prevent it from shifting, tipping, or falling during transport. This is a standard procedure for anyone transporting fridges.
• Protect the Exterior: Use moving blankets or cardboard to protect the fridge’s finish from scratches or dents during loading and the journey. This is a consideration for DIY moves and professional fridge movers in Sydney.
• Distribute Weight Evenly: If you’re transporting other items along with the fridge, ensure the weight in the vehicle is distributed evenly for safe driving.

Keeping Your Fridge Upright During Transport

Keeping it upright is a crucial guideline when transporting a fridge. Deviating from this can significantly damage the appliance’s internal components.

Refrigerators contain oils in their compressors that must remain in place for the unit to function correctly. Transporting a fridge on its side or back can cause these oils to flow into the coolant lines, potentially leading to permanent damage.

Ensure the fridge is loaded and secured in an upright position in the vehicle. Use straps and possibly wedges or other securing materials to maintain this orientation throughout the fridge transport.

While the goal is to keep the fridge upright, slight tilting might be necessary when loading or unloading. However, these tilts should be brief and never excessive, echoing the principle of “lifting technique (never tilt excessively)” when moving the appliance.

Temperature and Timing Considerations for Fridge Transport

Temperature and timing play important roles when transporting a fridge. Long journeys, like a regional NSW move or an interstate relocation, and severe weather conditions should be considered.

Avoid exposing the fridge to extreme temperatures for prolonged periods. While the insulation is designed to maintain internal temperature, excessive heat or cold during fridge transport can potentially affect the appliance.

Aim to transport the fridge as directly and efficiently as possible to minimise any potential risks associated with movement or temperature fluctuations. Efficiency is key in handling a personal fridge move or using a fridge transport service.

After the Move: What to Do When Moving a Fridge

Congratulations on successfully transporting your fridge! However, the process isn’t quite over. This guide outlines the crucial steps to take after the move, incorporating essential moving fridge tips and addressing what to do when moving a fridge.

Let Your Fridge Sit Before Plugging Back In

One of the most important moving fridge tips is to let it sit before plugging back in. This seemingly simple step can significantly impact the longevity and performance of your fridge after being moved.

• Why Waiting is Crucial: The compressor oil can shift within the unit while transporting a fridge. Allowing the fridge to sit upright for a sufficient period allows this oil to settle back into the compressor. Plugging it in too soon can lead to compressor damage and potentially shorten the lifespan of your refrigerator.
• Recommended Waiting Time: The general recommendation is to let your fridge sit upright for at least the same amount of time it was lying down during transport. Ideally, allowing it to sit for 12 to 24 hours is the safest approach.
• Ensure Level Placement: Before you even consider plugging it in, ensure the fridge is placed in its final location and is level. Use a level and adjust the feet of the fridge as needed. Operating a fridge that isn’t level can also affect its performance.

Clean and Inspect Your Fridge Again

Once your fridge has had ample time to settle, the next step in what to do when moving a fridge is to clean and inspect it again.

• Exterior Inspection: Check the outside of your fridge for all marks, dents and other signs of damage that might have occurred during the fridge moving process. If you used a fridge moving service, note all exterior damage to your fridge, then contact them to report it.
• Interior Check: Open the fridge and inspect the interior. Ensure any packing materials or protective coverings have been completely removed. Check that shelves and drawers are correctly positioned and secure.
• Final Clean: Wipe down the fridge interior with a mild cleaning solution. This will ensure the food is fresh and ready to store.

Plugging In and Initial Setup

After the waiting period and final inspection, you can finally plug your fridge back in. This is the final stage of what to do when moving a fridge.

• Plug it In: Connect the fridge to a grounded power outlet.
• Temperature Settings: Set the desired temperature for the refrigerator and freezer compartments according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Allow Time to Cool: The fridge will take several hours to reach its set temperature. Avoid overloading it with food immediately, and allow it time to cool down properly first.
• Monitor Performance: For the first few hours after plugging in your fridge, keep an eye on it to ensure it is cooling correctly and running smoothly. Listen for any unusual noises.

When to Hire the Pros: Fridge Moving Services

While DIY fridge moving is an option, there are many situations where enlisting the help of professionals offering a fridge moving service is the wiser choice. This guide explores when it’s worth using a fridge removalist in Sydney and the pros of fridge movers. The Sydney removalist cost you’ll spend will all be worth it.

Pros of Using Fridge Movers

Opting for a professional fridge moving service comes with several advantages:

• Expertise and Experience: Fridge movers are experienced in safely handling and transporting these bulky appliances. They know the best techniques for lifting, securing, and manoeuvring them.
• Specialised Equipment: Professionals have the right tools, such as heavy-duty dollies, straps, moving blankets, and ramps, to ensure a smooth and secure move.
• Reduced Risk of Injury: Lifting and moving heavy items like refrigerators can lead to back strains and other injuries. Hiring fridge movers minimises this risk for you and your helpers.
• Protection Against Damage: Professional movers carry insurance that defends your property and refrigerator from mishaps at both locations during a move.
• Convenience and Time Savings: A move-a-fridge moving service handles all the heavy lifting and logistics, saving you significant time and effort.

Whether you use a fridge moving service depends on your circumstances, budget, and comfort level with the task. Analysing both the positive and negative aspects of fridge movers and your personal requirements will lead you to an optimal decision.

Safe and Efficient Fridge Moving Services

Moving a fridge, while manageable with the right approach, requires careful planning and execution.

If the task seems too daunting or if you lack the necessary equipment or assistance, don’t hesitate to contact local fridge movers. National Removalist has the experience and tools to handle your fridge moving service needs safely and efficiently.

Looking for professional movers in Sydney? Get in touch with National Removalist today!

Relocating is more than moving your appliances to your new location. You also have to put in necessary work in other things. Check our How to Pack Glasses for Moving and How to Pack Clothes when Moving guide.