Preparing Major Appliances for Moving
Moving appliances from your current residence to your new home can sometimes present some of the toughest challenges for you and your professional movers. As these items can often be quite expensive, it's important that you have a solid understanding of how to handle these items during your move. Your professional moving company will handle the transportation of your major appliances. However, preparing these items for the move is also a very important part of the process, which is normally handled by you.
During the in-home survey, your moving company representatives, will tell you the best way for preparing your various appliances for the move. You may need to hire technical personnel to help you prepare certain appliances, or ask the moving company to coordinate this service for you. The mover will add the charge on the bill of lading as an accessorial or third party service.
Moving companies will refer to 'servicing' to describe the process by which appliances are prepared to be moved from one residence to another. This could include services such as disconnecting an ice maker, unhooking computer components (printers, monitors, etc.), or unwiring satellite dishes and other audio-visual equipment.
These are some services that moving companies will typically not perform for your move:
- Disconnect utilities
- Repair appliances
- Remove or install window air conditioner units
- Remove or install television antennas or satellite dishes
- Disconnect appliances such as washing machines, dryers and refrigerators, and reconnect them in your new residence
- Perform electrical wiring or related carpentry work
The servicing process
Probably one of the most important aspects of servicing is the cleaning process. It's very important that your appliances (such as refrigerator, freezer and oven) are thoroughly cleaned and dried out at least 24 hours before your move. This is especially important if you're moving longer distances and will be having certain items stored in transit during the move. Grease or dirt left on your items can create a terrible odor and leave permanent spots on your items. Moisture also causes problems for appliances as this wetness within an enclosed space can cause mold or mildew to grow, which will also stain and create a foul odor. Your moving company will not be responsible for damage to you appliances from dirt or mildew. Check the owner's manual for proper cleaning and maintenance instructions.
Here are some cleaning and servicing tips for common appliances:
Dishwasher
Cleaning
- Wipe clean the control panel with a damp cloth.
- Apply an appliance polishing wax to the cabinet.
- Remove all buildup on the inside with hot water and a damp cloth.
- Leave the door open for 6-12 hours or until the dishwasher is completely dry.
Servicing
- Disconnect and drain all hoses.
- Wrap the dry hoses with towels or packing paper and set them inside the dishwasher.
- Shut off all electric and water supplies and disconnect and drain the water inlet line and water valve.
- Sponge any remaining water from the bottom of the dishwasher and wipe dry.
Washer
Cleaning
- Use a soft cloth and an appliance cleaner to wipe of the exterior.
- Thoroughly clean out the lint filter and the tub area with a soft dry cloth.
- Leave the lid open for 6-12 hours or until all moisture if gone and the washer is completely dry.
Servicing
- Turn off all water faucets and disconnect and drain all hoses.
- Wrap the metal connector ends of the hoses in towels and set them inside the washer.
- Ask your moving company about inserting a washer kit (or supplying you with one) that will allow a plastic foam brace to be placed on top of the agitator.
- Ensure all water is removed from the washer, and sponge away any remaining water from the tub area.
- At your new residence, have a qualified installer connect the drain hoses and the hot and cold water faucets. You should also consider replacing your water supply hoses to compensate for varying water pressures.
Dryer
Cleaning
- Remove any debris or build up from the lint screen with a dry paper towel. Do not use water on the lint screen.
- Wipe off the exterior with a soft cloth and an appliance cleaner.
- Unplug the dryer and remove all dust and dirt from the interior with a damp cloth. If necessary, use a mild liquid household cleaner.
- After it's thoroughly cleaned, plug in the dryer and load it up with some old towels or rags to remove any residue of soap in the tub.
Servicing
- Disconnect the electrical supply to the dryer.
- At your new residence, have a qualified installer connect your dryer and ensure that your exhaust system is properly set up.
Oven/range
Cleaning
- Clean the outer surface of the range with a mild detergent.
- Detach any removable parts such as drip pans and oven racks and wash them in hot soapy water.
- Do not place the plug and coils of an electric range in water.
- If you can raise your appliance, clean the area underneath it with hot soapy water.
- Ensure that all removable items are cleaned and organized at least 24 hours before moving day so that they can be packed accordingly.
Servicing
- If you have a gas range, this unit must be disconnected by a qualified technician at least 24 hours before your move.
- A qualified gas installer should check your gas supply at your new residence, connect the oven to the gas supply, light the pilot and handle any other hook-up procedures.
- For an electric oven, no servicing is generally required. However, you should have your power supply checked at your new residence to make sure they meet your electrical requirements.
Refrigerator
Cleaning
- Wipe off the exterior of the refrigerator with a mild detergent.
- Dispose of all perishable items and unplug the power cord.
- Detach any removable parts (shelves, drawers, etc.) and wash in a solution of warm water and baking soda (about 1 tablespoon of baking soda per 1 quart of water).
- Wash ice trays and ice storage bins in only lukewarm water, not hot water.
- Wash the interior walls and any other nonremovable areas with a mild detergent or baking soda solution.
- Leave the refrigerator door open for at least 24 hours to allow all moisture to evaporate. If your refrigerator is not a frost-free model, you may need to allow extra time for the refrigerator to complete defrosting and drying.
- Make sure that all loose parts are removed and secured so that they can be packaged separately for transport.
- After cleaning, do a final check of the unit and then place an odor or mildew preventative inside.
- Empty and clean the evaporator pan and allow it time to dry.
Servicing
- Before moving the refrigerator, turn off the water and disconnect the water line.
- After the refrigerator is delivered, wait at least 24 hours before you use it.
- A professional installer can help you reconnect the water line and handle any items such as a shut-off valve, if needed.
- Once the ice maker is in service, dispose of the first few batches of ice, because there may be possible impurities form opening a new water line.
Moving day
When the movers arrive, they will wrap the large appliance with furniture pads. If you want special protective crating, you must arrange for it in advance. Finish all cleaning and servicing well in advance, so there are no delays on moving day. Your professional moving company is very experienced in how to pack and transport these items and will be happy to answer any of your questions.
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