How to Move a Refrigerator

Moving a refrigerator can seem like a daunting task since most refrigerators are big, bulky, and heavy. But with a little knowledge and a helping hand, moving your refrigerator isn’t all that difficult.

Whether you’re in the middle of a kitchen upgrade, moving to a new residence, or simply reorganizing your kitchen, our comprehensive guide on how to move a refrigerator will equip you with the necessary knowledge to move your refrigerator safely and efficiently.

When you are ready to move your refrigerator, having the right supplies can make all the difference between an easy move and a moving nightmare. There aren’t many tools required, but having these few will help to make the move go smoothly.

• Two-Wheel Dolly: A dolly is the main piece of equipment that you will need when moving a refrigerator. This will make it easy to wheel around once secured and can help if you are moving it up or down a flight or stairs.
• Ratchet Straps: Durable ratchet straps will come in handy after you get your refrigerator on the dolly. Tightly strapping your fridge to the dolly will make sure that it doesn’t slide while moving and damage a wall or hurt someone.
• Measuring Tape: Can your refrigerator fit through a particular doorway or hallway? Having a measuring tape handy to measure your fridge will save you the trouble of getting stuck in a small doorway.
• Cardboard: Protect your floors! Even with a dolly, the weight of a refrigerator can damage your floors if there is no protective covering over them. Break down some cardboard boxes and lay them on the floor for protection.
• Painters Tape: There’s nothing worse than a door on your refrigerator swinging open and hitting a wall or, even worse, smacking someone in the face while you moving your refrigerator. Get some blue painters tape to tape the doors shut.

If you don’t have a dolly and can’t borrow one from a friend, you can usually from a hardware or tool supply store like the Home Depot, Menards, or Lowe’s. Moving a refrigerator without one makes it extremely difficult, even with a helping hand.

Moving a refrigerator by yourself might sound like a challenge, and truth be told, it usually is. Refrigerators aren’t just bulky; they’re also incredibly heavy.

On average, a fridge can weigh anywhere from 200 to 300 pounds, and some of the bigger ones can even tip the scales at over 800 pounds! Because of their size and weight, fridges can be tricky to move by yourself.

You’ll need to navigate tight spaces, avoid damaging the fridge or your home, and most importantly, keep yourself safe from injury.

While it’s technically possible to move a fridge on your own, it’s a lot safer to have at least one other person help you out. Teamwork makes the dream work, especially when it comes to moving heavy appliances!

When it comes time to move your refrigerator, keeping you and your helper safe from injury and your property safe from damage is the main goal, aside from actually moving the fridge. Follow these steps to safely and efficiently move your refrigerator.

Measure Your Fridge & Map Out Your Path

The first step in moving your refrigerator is to measure the height, width, and depth of your fridge so you can plan the route you will be moving it. By accounting for the dimensions of your refrigerator, you can see whether it will fit through a particular doorway or hallway.

Most refrigerators will be able to fit through a standard hallway, but you may run into trouble getting it through an exterior door. It is common to have to remove a door to get an extra couple of inches in clearance so that your refrigerator will fit through.

While you are mapping out the path, look for any other obstacles that could be an issue. Look for any curbs, large cracks, or low ceilings that could be a challenge.

If you live in a walk-up that is a few stories, it might be best to hire a professional mover as it can be very dangerous moving a refrigerator down a large flight of stairs.

Empty and Disconnect Your Refrigerator

An empty refrigerator is easier to move than a full one! Prior to moving, clear out your entire fridge and put everything in coolers. Unplug your fridge and give it time to defrost so you can wipe down the interior.

This is an important step – the last thing you want is to be moving your fridge, you tilt it slightly one way, and it starts leaking water all over you or your nice wooden floor. Take out any removable shelving or drawers and pack them separately to avoid damage.

If your refrigerator has an ice maker or a water dispenser, you will also need to disconnect these prior to moving. Even if you plan on hiring a moving company, you will likely need to do this yourself as most moving companies won’t touch your water line.

Protect Your Floors

Refrigerators are heavy! Even though you are using a dolly, it can still damage your floor if you do not put down a layer of protection. You don’t need anything special here – regular old cardboard will work just fine.

This is where some painter’s tape will come in handy. It is a good idea to not only lay down cardboard on the floor, but also tape the cardboard down around the edges so that it doesn’t move and you don’t trip on it while moving your refrigerator.

Prep Your Refrigerator For Moving

After you have disconnected your refrigerator and you have moved it away from the wall, you can prepare it for removal. To prepare, follow these steps:

• Take out any removable shelves or drawers that may come loose when you move your refrigerator.
• Remove the refrigerator doors according to the manufacturers instructions, if neccesary.
• If you will be using or donating the refrigerator, wrap it in cardboard to protect the exterior from scratches and dents.
• Move the fridge onto the dolly by having your helper tilt it slightly while you move the dolly underneath.
• Use your ratchet straps to secure the refrigerator to the dolly so it doesn’t slide off while you are moving it.

Prepping your refrigerator for moving will ensure that you don’t damage the fridge and that you take every precaution to keep yourself safe.

Move the Refrigerator

With the assistance of a helper, tilt the refrigerator back and begin wheeling it over towards your intended path. Make sure that the refrigerator is evenly balanced on the dolly and you are not fighting with it to keep it straight.

Communication between you and your helper is key here. If you need to set it down and take a break, let your helper know so you can gently set it down. Your helper should be in front of the refrigerator helping to guide it and looking out for any obstacles.

If you have a moving truck with a ramp, turn around and pull the refrigerator up the ramp with your helper pushing it up from behind. Move slowly and carefully so you don’t make a misstep and lose control of the refrigerator.

When moving a fridge, it’s important not to lay it on its back or side. This could damage the inside parts and fluids like oil or refrigerant. The best way to move a fridge is to keep it upright. If you’re using a pickup, trailer, or moving truck, make sure the fridge can stand up during the trip.

If you must lay the fridge down, do it on the side opposite the compressor lines. But remember, this should only be for very short moves. After laying a fridge on its side, keep it upright for 24 hours before turning it on again.

Signing up with LoadUp as an independent contractor is a great way to easily find moving and junk removal jobs in your area.

No more chasing leads and trying to close sales. Once accepted, you will have access to moving jobs and junk removal jobs in your area. Here’s how to get started:

• Download the App: The first step is to download the LoadUp app. It’s easy and free.
• Sign Up to Be a Loader: Once you have the app, sign up to become a Loader.
• Get Access to Jobs: As a Loader, you’ll see a list of available jobs in your area. These are posted by people who need moving & junk removal services.
• Pick the Jobs You Want: One of the great things about LoadUp is that you get to choose the jobs you take. This means you can work on your own schedule.
• Earn Money: Every job you complete earns you money. It’s an easy way to use your truck to make a living or just earn some extra cash.

Once you’re approved, you’ll start getting alerts for job opportunities near you. With LoadUp, you can focus on doing the work without worrying about finding your next job.

Learning how to move a refrigerator the right way is important to keeping it working well and avoiding any damage to your home or the fridge itself. Remember, always keep it upright if possible, use the right tools like a dolly, and get some friends to help with the heavy lifting.

If you are looking for an opportunity to get junk removal and moving jobs, consider signing up with us at LoadUp. Our platform offers a great way to find local jobs and help people in your community.

Remember, moving your refrigerator is not just about getting it from point A to point B; it’s about moving your refrigerator safely and efficiently. Use our guide as a resource to safely move your refrigerator. Stay safe and happy moving!

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• How to Price Moving Jobs.
• How to Avoid Damage Claims.
• The Safe Way To Move Heavy Furniture.
• Understanding Box Truck Weight Limits.
• How to Better Run Your Independent Contractor Business.