Your major appliances, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, drier, and dishwasher, are probably the heaviest and most costly items that your residential movers will need to handle.
To ensure that your appliances have a safe trip to your new home and are ready to be unpacked and set up as quickly and efficiently as possible, be sure to take these special steps when preparing them for the move:
General rules for appliances
- Read manuals and contact manufacturers
These days, major appliances include powerful computers and other advanced technologies. Making sure they’re shut down and stored appropriately can, therefore, take a few extra steps. Your first resource when it comes to how to operate your appliances is your manuals and they should be read carefully. Of course, if you’ve lost them (though appliance manufacturers typically post copies of them online) or need further clarification, contact the manufacturer directly and they’ll be more than happy to explain it to you. - Unplug everything
Don’t wait until a few minutes before the movers come to prepare your appliances. Be sure that everything is unplugged and ready well before they arrive. - Clean thoroughly
All your appliances should be cleaned thoroughly. Not only will it be easier for your movers to deal with, but it’s also a good opportunity to get rid all the grime that’s been accumulating. - Tape doors
Once everything is cleaned and ready, tape any doors down so they don’t fly open during transport. - Secure cords
Secure any power cords to the machines themselves (with tape, for instance) before your movers arrive. Not only will this ensure no one will step on them, but it will also ensure the plugs themselves aren’t damaged.
Special considerations for particular appliances
Of course, your different appliances will have to be treated slightly differently given that they perform different tasks in your home.
- De-frost, dry fridge
When you unplug your fridge it will probably still be cold. Be sure to defrost the fridge before you clean it so you don’t trap moisture in it that can lead to colonies of fungus or bacteria. - Clean stove
Your stove accumulates more grease and grime than most of your other appliances. Take a little extra time to get all the crust out of it. - Empty dishwasher, remove trays
Be sure you’ve not forgotten that last round of dishes in the washer before you tape it up. Similarly, you should remove any baskets or trays from the inside so they don’t shift during the move. - Washer and drier are special
Washers and driers are particularly advanced these days and usually require special treatment. They’re so varied, in fact, that you should absolutely consult your manufacturer to find out what parts of it should be removed or secured before being transported.
If you have any questions or concerns about how to safely prepare your appliances, you can always consult us at Matco Moving Solutions. We’re residential and commercial movers that can handle any problem. Contact us today to find out more about our services.