We're talking washers, dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners,
and refrigerators - the big stuff! Before you pack any of
it, read your users manual for each appliance to make sure
there aren't more special moving preparations you'll need
to make. Also consider servicing all your appliances a week
or two before you move, if you haven't done it in a while.
-
Do your laundry a couple of days before you're ready
to move.
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Do your best to drain all the water out of the washer.
If possible, take the washer outside and tip it sideways
to empty out any remaining water. Then dry the interior
completely with a towel.
-
Take out all accessories and fittings and put them in
a plastic bag.
-
Stuff towels between the washing machine sides and the
tub to keep the tub from rotating.
-
Fill the basket with clothes, linens, and stuffed animals
(that's rights, stuffed animals). Also include a box of
baking soda (designed so you don't have to tear open the
top of the box) to cut down on mildew.
-
Packing Tape the lid and electrical cord down, then tie
a large pad around the outside. Now you're done!
Moving a dryer
-
Disconnect the exhaust hose from the back of the dryer
and from the exhaust duct in the wall. Loosely roll the
hose and place it in the dryer basket.
-
Packing Tape the lint screen, electrical cord, and dryer
door down.
-
Tie a large pad around the outside of the dryer. You're
done!
Moving a refrigerator
-
One day before moving, empty out the contents of your
refrigerator and allow it to defrost. (Eat what you can,
then give the rest away to neighbors - never transport
perishable food.)
-
Empty the drainage pan underneath and disconnect and
drain out your automatic icemaker.
-
Clean the walls, drawers, and shelves.
-
Some refrigerators have "leveling rollers,"
which are wheels that raise and lower each corner of the
refrigerator so it is even. Check your manual to see whether
you should raise or lower them for the move.
-
Wrap shelves (especially if they are glass) and Packing
Tape them together. Packing Tape down all other loose
parts, including the drawers on the inside and the electrical
cord and doors on the outside.
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Tie a large pad around it. That's it!
Moving a stove
-
Clean the oven and stovetop.
-
Place all the oven racks on the bottom rung and Packing
Tape them down.
-
Packing Tape down the burners and the protective pans
under each burner.
-
Packing Tape the electrical cord and door to the stove
(lock the door, if you can), then tie a large pad around
it. You're done!
Moving a dishwasher
-
Remove all dishes and Packing Tape down the racks and
silverware basket.
-
See your manual for removing and draining the water hook-up.
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Close and lock the door. Packing Tape the door shut.
Now Packing Tape the hose and cord to the dishwasher.
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Tie a large pad around it. That's all!
Moving an air conditioner
-
If your air conditioner's in use, shut if off the day
before so the coils can dry and cool off.
-
Remove and clean or replace the filter.
-
Packing Tape the cord to the side of the air conditioner
(not the back, where the coils are).
-
Use the original box, if you have it, or another large
appliance box well padded with wadded up newsprint. (Don't
use Styrofoam peanuts, which could get inside the air
conditioner and cause problems later.)
-
If you don't have a box, tie two large pads around it
to protect the coils. That's it!
