Moving a fridge: how do you prevent damage to your fridge?

If you ask professional moving companies what object they have to move almost every move, their answer is invariably a refrigerator. Moving a refrigerator is indeed necessary for almost every move.

Moving a refrigerator: the best tips

Have you gotten rid of the old refrigerator and recently bought a new refrigerator and are you now moving? Then of course you cannot leave the refrigerator and you will have to move the refrigerator to your new home.

But how does transporting such a refrigerator actually work and can you move a refrigerator safely yourself? Good preparation is half the battle and of course they don't just say that.

Empty the refrigerator

By this we don't literally mean emptying the refrigerator by clearing out things and throwing them away, but we mean that you can start eating the last food that was left in your refrigerator on time.

As soon as the refrigerator is empty and you have a freezer compartment, you can defrost the freezer compartment. It is best to turn off the refrigerator the evening before the move so that the freezer has time to defrost.

Newer freezers have a small valve that allows the melt water to drain. Does your freezer not have this? Then it is important to place enough towels around the refrigerator. If necessary, place a bucket or bowl in the freezer so that the melt water can be collected.

Do you have no time to wait and do you want the freezer compartment to defrost as quickly as possible? You can also place a pan or bowl of hot water in the freezer compartment. This way you speed up the process and get it done faster.

Cleaning the refrigerator

Has the freezer been defrosted? Then you can now clean the freezer and refrigerator. You may not immediately think of this when moving a refrigerator, but if you do not do this, your refrigerator can start to smell and this smell is very difficult to get out.

In a refrigerator you have glass shelves, but what if the shelves are stuck? You can of course just take out the loose parts for cleaning and you will have to clean the shelves and/or charger that are stuck in one way or another.

When you move a refrigerator, you don't actually need any fancy cleaning supplies at all. A container with soapy water or washing-up soda is sufficient. Now you can clean everything with a wet sponge, but don't forget to wipe everything with a dry cloth afterwards.

Secure everything properly

One refrigerator is not the same as another refrigerator, but as you have just read, most refrigerators do have separate parts. This includes shelves and often a number of plastic drawers.

When moving the refrigerator, you obviously don't want it to shift or become loose, so it is best to secure it. You can use some duck tape for this. You can secure the refrigerator door with tension straps. Place the tension strap all the way around the refrigerator so that you can close it again at the front near the door.

Pack the refrigerator well

Of course, you don't want your refrigerator or other items to be damaged during the move. That is why it is best to pack it well. Use wrapping film or moving blankets for the refrigerator.

How do you actually move refrigerators?

A refrigerator is a bulky object and therefore you cannot easily move it. It is also simply a large and heavy device. It is therefore always better to rent a hand truck to move the refrigerator.

Do you have experience with lifting slings? Then you know that these are useful when you want to move heavy objects, so they are useful to use when moving the refrigerator.

How should you transport the refrigerator?

Once you have finally completed all the points mentioned above, you will of course want to transport the refrigerator easily. What are the options and what is the best thing to do?

To transport refrigerators you are forced to rent a trailer or moving van. This way you can move the refrigerator as safely as possible without it being damaged.

Can you transport a refrigerator lying down?

Some say so, but we think not. And if you search further on the internet, most people agree with us. A refrigerator cannot be moved lying down. Yes, it is possible in practice, but whether it is wise is another matter.

Moving the refrigerator upright!

You should always transport a refrigerator upright. The device contains a coolant and if your refrigerator is transported horizontally or tilted too much during lifting, this coolant can foam.

If you turn the device back on too quickly after the move, oil can seep in and cause problems that could cause the device to break. A professional moving company will also tell you this, but it is best to leave the refrigerator off for a few hours after moving.

Therefore, make sure that you leave your refrigerator upright for at least about 12 hours before plugging it in. This also applies if you have transported the refrigerator upright.

If you turn on a refrigerator too quickly after a move, oil can leak into the coolant, causing the refrigerator to break. Always wait 24 hours before turning on the freezer. This allows the coolant to drop.