How to Safely Disconnect and Move a Washer, Dryer and Fridge

Washers, dryers and refrigerators are the heaviest, most awkward things in most moves. They also have water, power and sometimes gas connected, which is where damage and danger come from. This guide covers how to move a washer and dryer and a fridge, step by step, using the makers’ own instructions.

Your appliance manual always wins. If something here differs from your model’s manual, follow the manual.

What do you need before you start?

Get the right gear and a helper before moving day. Samsung’s stacking guide puts it plainly: have a friend help you move the appliances.

• A helper (or two for a large fridge)
• An appliance hand truck with straps
• Towels and a bucket for hose water
• Tape and zip-top bags for screws, cords and shipping bolts
• Moving blankets
• Your owner’s manuals (or download them from the maker’s site)
• The washer shipping bolts and spacers, if you kept them

How do you disconnect and move a washer?

Unplug it, shut off the water, drain the hoses and lock the drum. The drum lock step is the one most people skip, and it matters most for front-loaders.

Step 1: Unplug and shut off the water

Unplug the washer, gripping the plug, not the cord. Turn both the hot and cold water valves fully off. Put a bucket and towels under the hoses before you unscrew them, because they will still hold water.

Step 2: Drain the hoses

Lower the fill hoses into the bucket to empty them. Unhook the drain hose from the standpipe or sink and let it drain too. Tape or bag the hose ends so they don’t drip in the truck.

Step 3: Reinstall the shipping bolts

Front-load washers ship with bolts that hold the drum still. Samsung says you must remove them before use and keep the shipping bolts and spacers, because you will need them if you ever move the washer. Reinstall them following your model’s manual before the washer leaves the house.

If you lost them, check your manual or contact the maker for the right parts for your model before the move.

Step 4: Move it upright

Strap the washer to the hand truck and keep it upright. Protect the front panel and door with a blanket.

How do you disconnect a gas dryer safely?

Don’t disconnect a gas line yourself unless you are qualified. Have a licensed plumber, a gas appliance installer or your gas utility shut off and cap the line. Samsung recommends hiring a professional installer to connect or convert a gas line, and suggests calling your local gas company about gas line work.

Here is the safe split of jobs:

Samsung’s dryer setup guide lists “gas is supplied properly with no leaks” as a check for gas models. Leave that check to the person who connects the line.

How do you disconnect and move an electric dryer?

An electric dryer is simpler: unplug the cord and disconnect the vent. Samsung notes that electric dryers plug into a 240 volt, 30-amp outlet, so make sure your new home has the right outlet and cord type before moving day.

1. Unplug the dryer. Grip the plug, not the cord.
2. Disconnect the vent duct. Slide it off the dryer exhaust and the wall.
3. Clean the lint. Samsung says to clean the exhaust vent once or twice a year, so moving day is a good time. The USFA also says to clean the back of the dryer, where lint builds up.
4. Move it. Samsung says you can lay a dryer on its side using two of the packaging cushions for easier moving. Check your own manual before you do.

How do you set up the washer and dryer at the new home?

Reverse the process, but with a few upgrades. Most install problems at a new home come from hoses, venting and leveling.

• Remove the shipping bolts before the first wash. Samsung says they must come out before use. If the washer shakes hard or shows an unbalanced load code, like the LG washer UE code, check the bolts and leveling first.
• Use new fill hoses. Samsung says brand-new water supply hoses are a must any time you install a washer.
• Open the water valves fully. A half-open valve or kinked hose is a common cause of no-fill codes such as the Samsung washer 4C code.
• Plug in correctly. Samsung says its washers need a grounded three-prong 120 V outlet. The USFA says to plug major appliances directly into a wall outlet and never use an extension cord.
• Use a rigid metal vent. Samsung says to use a 4-inch rigid aluminum or galvanized steel duct, not flexible plastic. LG says to keep the duct as short as possible with no more than four 90° elbows.
• Check the vent flap. The USFA says to make sure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer runs.
• Level and test. Samsung suggests running a small load to check that the washer is level.

A crushed or long vent at the new place can trigger airflow warnings like the Whirlpool dryer AF code.

How do you move a refrigerator?

Empty it, disconnect the water line and keep it upright. The details vary by model, so read the moving section of your use-and-care manual first.

1. Empty it. Remove all food. Take out or tape down shelves and bins.
2. Unplug it. Grip the plug, not the cord.
3. Shut off the water. If it has an icemaker or dispenser, turn off the supply valve and disconnect the line. Have a towel ready.
4. Tape the doors shut so they cannot swing open.
5. Move it upright. Keep it standing on the hand truck. If it must lie down, check your manual first for whether that is allowed and how long it must stand upright before you plug it in.

Setting up the fridge at the new home

Give it room and time. DOE says to leave a few inches between the wall and the refrigerator and to keep it away from the oven, dishwasher and direct sun. Set it to 35°F to 38°F for the fresh food section and 0°F for a stand-alone freezer, as DOE recommends.

Your manual will say how long the fridge needs to cool after you plug it in. Wait until it is cold before loading food. Reconnect the water line and check for drips over the first day.

Frequently asked questions