How to Move a Fridge, Washing Machine and Other Whitegoods Safely
Updated 18 July 2026
Whitegoods are heavy, awkward, and — unlike a sofa — genuinely easy to ruin in transit if they're not prepped. The good news: the prep is simple, it just has to start the day before the truck arrives, not the morning of. Here's the routine for each appliance.
How do you move a fridge?
Start 24 hours out: empty it, switch it off, and prop the doors open so the freezer defrosts and the inside dries — towels in the base catch the meltwater. On the day, tape or strap the doors shut, move it upright on a trolley, and keep it upright in the truck. Tilting a fridge lets compressor oil run into places it shouldn't be.
At the other end, the classic question: how long before you switch it back on? If it travelled upright, a couple of hours' settling is a sensible buffer; if it was tilted at any point, leave it standing longer — a few hours at minimum — before powering up. It's an easy rule to follow, because the fridge is never the first thing you need working anyway.
How do you move a washing machine?
Two jobs: water out, drum locked. Run a final empty cycle a day or two before, then disconnect the hoses and drain them into a bucket — there's always more water in there than you expect. Leave the door open overnight to dry. Then fit the transit bolts (front-loaders): they lock the suspended drum so it can't slam around in the truck. An unbraced drum is the most common way washing machines die in a move.
The rest of the laundry and kitchen
| Appliance | Start prep | The key step |
|---|---|---|
| Fridge / freezer | 24 hrs before | Fully defrost, dry, travel upright |
| Washing machine | 1–2 days before | Drain hoses, fit transit bolts |
| Dryer | Moving day | Empty lint filter, tape the door, note wall-mount brackets |
| Dishwasher | 1 day before | Run empty, disconnect and drain the inlet hose, tape racks |
Measure the doorways before moving day
The fridge went in, so it must come out — except the new place has its own doorways, and fridge spaces in modern kitchens are cut close. Measure the fridge cavity at the new address (width, depth, and height under any overhead cupboard) before the truck is loaded, not after. Doors and handles can come off a fridge to buy a few centimetres; benchtops can't.
Should you move whitegoods yourself?
A trolley, straps and a second pair of hands make a washing machine a manageable DIY job on flat ground. Add stairs — especially Queenslander stairs — and the equation changes fast: whitegoods are top-heavy, hard to grip, and unforgiving of a slip. A professional crew moves them daily with the right gear; it's included in any furniture removal job, and your fixed quote covers them like everything else in the house. Prep them properly and they'll outlast the house they're moving to.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a fridge be off before moving it?
Switch the fridge off and empty it at least 24 hours before the move so the freezer can fully defrost and the interior can dry. Moving a fridge with ice still in the freezer means meltwater through the electrics and your truck.
Can you lay a fridge down to move it?
Avoid it. Fridges should travel upright so the compressor oil stays where it belongs. If it absolutely must be tilted to get through a space, keep the angle shallow and brief, and let the fridge stand upright for at least a few hours before plugging it back in.
Do I need transit bolts to move a washing machine?
Front-loaders, yes — the transit bolts lock the drum so it can't slam around in the truck, which is the most common way washing machines are ruined in a move. They're the same bolts that came with the machine; if they're long gone, your machine's manufacturer sells replacements, or ask your removalist about drum bracing.
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