How to Move a Refrigerator, Washer or Range Without Damage
Moving an appliance badly causes more damage than almost anything else in the removal process: torn flooring, chipped door frames, strained backs and, for refrigerators, damaged compressors. Here is how professional movers do it.
Equipment worth having
- Appliance dolly with a strap and stair climbers — much safer than a standard hand truck. Most equipment rental stores have them.
- Moving blankets to protect the appliance and walls.
- Cardboard or hardboard for floors, especially vinyl and hardwood.
- Furniture sliders for getting the appliance out of its alcove.
- Work gloves — appliance edges are sharp.
- A helper. Never move a refrigerator, washer or range alone.
Typical weights
| Appliance | Approximate weight |
|---|---|
| Top-freezer refrigerator | 150–250 lb |
| French-door / side-by-side refrigerator | 250–350 lb |
| Front-load washer | 150–230 lb |
| Dryer | 100–150 lb |
| Freestanding range | 120–250 lb |
| Dishwasher | 60–100 lb |
Step-by-step technique
- Disconnect everything first: power, water and gas (gas by a professional if you are unsure). See our guides to refrigerators, washers and dryers, dishwashers and ranges.
- Secure moving parts: tape doors shut, remove loose shelves and racks, and install transit bolts in a front-load washer if it will be reused.
- Measure the route — every doorway, hallway turn and stairway. Remove refrigerator doors or handles if you need the extra inch.
- Load the dolly from the side, not the front, so the strap goes around the appliance and the dolly’s nose sits under it fully.
- Keep refrigerators upright. If you must tilt one, tilt it as little as possible and let it stand upright for several hours before plugging in again.
- On stairs, the strongest person stays below the appliance and the dolly operator controls it from above, one step at a time.
- In the vehicle, strap the appliance upright against the front of the truck bed or trailer.
When to call professionals
Basements with tight turns, spiral staircases, built-in refrigerators and anything over about 300 pounds are best left to an experienced crew. The cost of a removal service is often lower than the cost of repairing a damaged floor or door frame — our appliance removal cost guide lists typical prices.