About Moving Your Refrigerator Safely

With fridges weighing between 150 and 350 pounds, moving this large appliance can be dangerous without proper planning. A few simple steps can make the move much safer for everyone involved.

Moving Your Refrigerator Safely , empty the refrigerator and remove all shelves, bins, and other removable components from both the fresh food and freezer sections. This will lighten the load and make it easier to maneuver. It is also a good idea to take down the freezer door to avoid any accidental spills or drips during transport. Once empty, unplug the unit and disconnect any water lines (follow instructions in the owner’s manual for this step carefully).

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Use a measuring tape to record the height, width, and depth of your refrigerator. Compare these measurements to the doorways and hallways it will need to pass through at both your old home and your new one. This will help determine if you need to remove the fridge doors or alter your moving plan.

Once emptied and unplugged, cover the refrigerator in protective moving blankets or towels to prevent damage during the move. If you have an appliance dolly, slide it underneath the fridge and secure it to the dolly with moving straps. Have a helper guide the dolly and the fridge while slowly rolling it through your planned route to the truck. Once loaded in the truck, secure the fridge to the dolly and trailer with additional moving straps.