Tips for Packing Kitchen Appliances While Moving

When it comes to packing kitchen appliances for a big move, it’s important to ensure that each is protected.

To do so safely, you will need:

• Packing paper
• Bubble wrap
• Furniture blankets
• Appliance dolly
• Straps or ropes
• Packing tape
• Large boxes
• At least three other people to help you

Most of these items are available at hardware stores or you can rent them from a moving company. If you still have the original boxes that your appliances came in, you can use them as long as they’re in decent shape. If not, the blankets will offer enough protection. Also, if you still have the owner’s manual for the appliance, tape it to the front so you’ll have it handy when you arrive at your new home and need to set it up again.

Before you start packing:

• Unplug the appliances 48 hours in advance and make sure to remove anything from them.
• Clean and dry each appliance.
• Remove smaller parts or tape crispers, racks and trays down inside the appliance so that they don’t shift during the move.
• Tape the doors of each appliance shut.
• Secure the power cord to the back of the appliance with tape.

How to pack your fridge:

• Wrap moving blankets over the entire fridge.
• Secure the blankets with tape to ensure they don’t move.
• Load the fridge onto the appliance dolly with help. You will not be able to do this alone.
• Secure the dolly with the ropes/straps.
• When the dolly is secure, ensure that the fridge is kept upright until it’s time to move it. When you move it you will probably need to tilt it but do not lay your fridge on its side because this could seriously damage the cooling mechanism by allowing oil from the compressor to flow into it.

How to pack your stove:

• For gas stoves, please call a technician to disconnect the gas line from the stove. If you try to do this on your own, you could make a mistake and risk serious injury. When you arrive at your new home, the same technician can reconnect the stove to the gas line for you.
• Any knobs and burners should be covered in bubblewrap to ensure that they don’t break off. The rest of the stove should be covered with the moving blankets.
• Secure the blankets with tape.
• Your stove is heavier than it looks. Use the dolly to transport it. Apply the same steps you would for loading a fridge onto the dolly.

How to pack your dishwasher:

• As you would with your stove, place bubble wrap around any knobs or handles.
• Wrap moving blankets around the entire appliance and secure them in place with tape.
• With help, put the dishwasher on the dolly using the same steps you would for the fridge and stove.

Please be safe when moving large kitchen appliances. If possible, hire a moving company to help you. Sometimes having a trained professional move heavy objects for you is the best option.