Otherwise, only attempt to move your fridge if you have enough people to make this light work, and have read through our guide. Your fridge, back, and property will thank you for it.

Steps for moving your fridge

What you’ll need:

• Packing tape
• Two strong, sensible people (non-negotiable)
• Moving blankets
• Removal trolley
• Rope/straps/bungee cords

Prepare it

First, you’ll need to prepare your fridge for the move.

Start by emptying all food items and cleaning it out. Not just your regular quick wipe down - a thorough deep clean. Remember, once your refrigerator is set up and running in your new home, who knows when you’ll get around to deep cleaning it next.

You should also remove any shelves and drawers and wrap them in packing paper or bubble wrap to protect them during the move.

After that, you’ll need to let the fridge and freezer defrost completely before transportation. This is to reduce the risk of damage and to prevent added water-y mess while it’s on-the-move. To do this, keep the fridge turned off for at least 24 hours before go-time.

Secure it

It’s time to move, so secure the doors of the refrigerator to stop from getting banged around and damaged while it’s in transit. If you can, remove the doors and seals altogether. If that’s not an option, then use tape to hold the doors shut.

Move it

Once the refrigerator is prepared, it’s time to get moving. Make sure to have at least two people to safely lift and carry it - it’s not worth ending up on the couch out of action for a couple of weeks after your move.

To load the fridge onto your removal trolley, start by tilting it onto its side and securing it to the trolley with straps or rope. Make sure they’re secured so the refrigerator doesn’t slide around while you’re moving it.

If you’re carrying it to your moving van, be sure to lift with your knees and legs, not with your back, and keep the refrigerator as close to your body as possible (this will make it easier to balance). Also, make sure the path is clear and that there are no obstacles in the way - mark out any tight corners with measuring tape if needed!

Load it

You’ve made it this far, so, presumably, you want your fridge to work after moving it. How you load it into your car, van, or truck plays a big part in this.

The best position for a fridge is upright, makes sense, right? If you don’t have the option of standing it upright while moving, then laying it down the right way is crucial. Some manufacturers' instructions will include details on what way to lay your fridge model.

Secure it

When you’ve made it from the kitchen to the moving van, the next (very important) step is to secure it tightly in the truck. Not just a loose wrap, with some rope - really secure it. First, wrap a blanket or some bubble wrap around the fridge to protect it from knocks and bumps while you drive, then, use strong straps, ropes, or bungee cords to hold it tightly in place in the truck. If you don’t get this bit right, one sharp turn could ruin your moving day pretty quickly.

Set it up

Welcome home! The hard work isn’t over yet, you still need to unload your refrigerator as carefully as you packed it up, and wheel or carry it to its new spot.

Now, we’d love to tell you that your fridge is ready to be plugged in and set up again, but that’s not exactly true… you’ll need to practise a little patience. While your refrigerator was on the road, the fluids inside got bounced around, and need time to settle before they can circulate again. This is especially true if the fridge was laying down while being moved. Generally, it’s recommended to leave it upright and unplugged for anywhere from 4 to 24 hours to allow the compressor oil to flow back to its proper place. The longer it was on its side, the longer you should wait before plugging it back in.

As a final check, make sure that the doors and seals are still in good working order, and then, FINALLY, get the electricity flowing!

To Sum It Up…

If you’re unsure of how to properly move a refrigerator, or don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, it’s best to contact a professional removalist company like Man With A Van. They have the necessary experience and equipment to ensure your refrigerator is moved safely and securely.

Relocating a refrigerator can be a daunting task, but with the right procedures and steps in place, it can be done safely and efficiently. Following the tips and tricks outlined in this comprehensive guide will help ensure that your refrigerator is properly relocated from one house to another.