How to Move Big Appliances: Fridge, Washer, and Dryer

The refrigerator demands the most respect because its sealed cooling system is unforgiving. Empty the unit completely, then defrost the freezer and dry the interior. Disconnect and drain the water line if it feeds an ice maker, tape the doors shut, and secure the power cord against the back.

Now tilt the fridge onto your dolly and strap it tight. Keep it upright throughout the move whenever you can. A refrigerator relies on compressor oil that can seep into the cooling lines when the unit lies flat, and that migration is what damages the system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy guidance on refrigerators, these sealed systems are sensitive to handling, so if transporting it upright is truly impossible, lay it on the side opposite the cooling lines, then stand it upright at the destination for at least as long as it traveled on its side before you plug it in. That pause lets the oil drain back into place.

A washing machine carries its biggest risk out of sight: a heavy internal drum suspended on springs that can break free and ruin the machine in transit. Shipping bolts solve this. Run one final empty cycle, then disconnect and fully drain both the supply hoses and the drain hose. Install the shipping bolts that came out when the washer was first set up, which lock the drum so it cannot bounce. If those bolts are long gone, the manufacturer will sell replacements.

Coil the dried hoses, tuck them inside the drum, and tape the lid closed. Load the washer onto the dolly upright and strap it down. Moving a washer without its shipping bolts is the most common and most costly mistake people make, so never skip that step.

The dryer is the simplest of the three, though it still rewards care. Disconnect it from power first. For a gas dryer, hire a professional to shut off and disconnect the gas line, because this is never a do-it-yourself task. Detach and clean the vent hose, empty the lint trap, and tape the door and cord in place. Wrap the dryer in moving blankets, strap it to the dolly, and keep it upright like the others.

Even with perfect preparation, the stairs, narrow corners, and truck ramps between your old home and your new one multiply the danger to both the appliances and the people carrying them. A dropped refrigerator or a washer with a shattered drum costs far more than professional help ever would. This is exactly why a reliable moving company earns its fee on heavy-item days.

When you book a full household move, your appliances ride along with the rest of your belongings, so you avoid renting equipment and recruiting friends. As experienced residential movers in Rhode Island, a professional crew arrives with the dollies, straps, and technique to protect every machine, and for a gas dryer, they remove a real safety risk entirely. If some of those appliances are headed into storage rather than straight to a new home, it helps to know what size storage unit you need before the truck arrives.

So what is the best way to move a refrigerator, washer, and dryer? Prepare each appliance early, keep it clean and dry, protect the part that matters most (the compressor in the fridge, the suspended drum in the washer, the gas line in the dryer), and always transport it upright on a strapped dolly. A careful do-it-yourself move is possible with the right tools and a helper, but the weight and the stakes are considerable. When you would rather not gamble with costly machines or your own safety, a moving company that handles appliances as part of every local move in Rhode Island offers the simplest, safest path. If you are planning a move in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, or Connecticut, reach out to Correira Brothers for a free quote from a team that treats your appliances with care.

Can you lay a refrigerator down to move it?

Keeping a refrigerator upright is strongly preferred. Laying it flat can let compressor oil migrate into the cooling lines and damage the system. If moving it flat is unavoidable, rest it on the side opposite the cooling lines, then stand it upright at the destination for at least as long as it spent on its side, usually several hours, before plugging it in.

Do I really need shipping bolts to move a washer?

Yes. Shipping bolts secure the washer’s suspended drum so it cannot bounce loose and break during transport, which is the leading cause of washer damage on moving day. If you no longer have the originals from installation, your manufacturer can provide replacements.

Should I move large appliances myself or hire movers?

For a short, level move, a strapped appliance dolly and a careful helper can work. For anything involving stairs, tight spaces, or a truck, most people are better off hiring movers. The weight makes these jobs genuinely hazardous, and professional crews carry the equipment and experience to protect both the machines and everyone involved.