When it comes to packing and moving household appliances, a refrigerator presents a particular challenge – there are many nuances to consider in order to properly transport it. Not to mention minimizing product wastage.
As with other household appliances, you may need professional help https://www.flashmoving.net/ to unplug your refrigerator. For example, if it is equipped with an ice maker, then it is connected to the water supply system. We recommend that you seek the help of a professional and make sure that the water supply is turned off before starting work. Also, don’t forget to arrange for a reconnect in the new home and make sure everything is working properly.
Moving a refrigerator safely is no easy task. In this regard, we recommend hiring professional movers. If you’re moving your refrigerator to a new home on your own, here’s a step-by-step guide to help make the process a smooth one.
MAKE A PLAN
The first step before packing should always be planning. This way you will be able to weed out any potential problems at this stage.
Are you planning a local move within the city? Or moving to another region or country? What is the difference between moving a refrigerator for short and long distances? Read on to find answers to questions about moving and packing refrigerators.
TRY TO EAT EVERYTHING
Plan your grocery shopping ahead of your move and only buy the essentials so you don’t have to throw away good food. If necessary, arrange with neighbors to take away excess products.
You may not be able to eat all the food, but try to throw away as little as possible. Alternatively, for the past few days, order take-out or eat fast food if you want to save money.
AVOID THE FLOOD
Defrost your refrigerator a few days before you move – if you don’t, you risk getting in trouble when it thaws on the way. It is possible that the first person to open the freezer will be washed away by a tsunami.
To defrost, it’s time to completely unplug the refrigerator from the mains. To access the outlet, carefully move the refrigerator away from the wall, being careful not to scratch the floor (spoiler alert: you will need a floor protector and transport trolley).
At the same time, remove any dust that has collected on the evaporator coils, as this reduces the efficiency of the device. Wipe down the sides of the refrigerator as well.
As mentioned above, if your refrigerator has an ice maker, have a professional turn off the water supply and disconnect all hoses. Let the hoses dry and pack them separately. Make sure the water tank is empty.
Wait for the freezer to defrost. You can speed up this process by removing chunks of ice as soon as they melt. Most modern no-frost refrigerators have an evaporator tray at the bottom. Loosen it, clean it and let it dry.
FRESHNESS AND PURITY
Take the time to thoroughly clean your refrigerator before moving it. It’s much better to start with a clean fridge in your new home. You don’t want to see dried juice sitting on your fridge door for months when you’re setting up your new kitchen, do you?
Thoroughly clean the inside of the refrigerator using soapy water or other cleaners recommended in the user manual. Once you’re done, pack all removable bins and shelves separately so they don’t dangle when the van moves.
PROTECT THE POWER SUPPLY
Before transporting the refrigerator, take extra precautions: wind up the power cord and secure it securely with adhesive tape so that it does not get damaged. At this point, you can use a trolley to place the furniture carriers under the legs of the fridge so that you can move it around with less effort on move day.
DRY THE REFRIGERATOR
Let it sit with the doors open for at least 48 hours. This will allow it to dry completely. If you are going to store the refrigerator for a long time, let it dry for a week. This may seem like an overkill, but it will prevent the formation of mold and mildew.
Another tip for long term storage is to use a spacer to keep the door about 2cm open to allow air to circulate. Finally, to keep the refrigerator door from dangling during transit, use a cord or strap to keep it closed.
PROTECT EXTERIOR SURFACES
Does your refrigerator have a special exterior finish that doesn’t need scratches? To keep your fridge looking its best, especially if it’s made of stainless steel, don’t forget to wrap it for protection.
A moving blanket is the best option. If you are moving the refrigerator yourself, use blankets and thick plastic wrap to make sure the appliance looks as good after the move as it did before. Then check that nothing is torn as soon as the movers start moving the refrigerator. Some use packing tape as an additional measure to hold doors and fittings in place.
PROTECT WORKING PARTS
If your refrigerator has an ice and water dispenser or other special electronics that needs to be protected while moving, check your owner’s manual to see if this requires special steps or equipment.
In particular, it may be necessary to bolt the compressor motor. In addition, the instructions may contain specific instructions for moving the refrigerator. For example, individual safety tips for additional parts and accessories to consider when moving the refrigerator.