7 Tips for Moving Your Appliances without Causing Damage
Moving is a stressful process. You must sell the old home, find a new one, pack up everything you own, and relocate it to your new address. If all of this isn't enough, you also have to think about ways to move your fragile and bulky pieces safely. And undoubtedly, one of the most challenging home items to move are your appliances. They are heavy, delicate, and often strangely shaped. But fear not - there are packing and moving methods for even these kinds of items. And that is why we are here - to share with you some tips for moving your appliances without causing damage. So, if your move is approaching and your kitchen is full of appliances that need to be relocated, keep reading.
1. Declutter
First, before we start talking about ways to move your appliances without causing damage, let us remind you that you should declutter. Do you really need two toasters, that blender you never use, or that defective microwave? Probably not, right?
If you agree, then there is no point in packing those appliances when moving to a new town or even a state. So, get rid of them. If something is in good condition - donate or sell it. And, if something is broken beyond repair, just let it hit the bin.
2. Hire Professional Movers
When moving your appliances, that is, when moving your whole house, you have two options - to have a DIY move or to hire professional movers. The former option is a bit cheaper, but you should only opt for it if you know what you are doing. And, of course, if you have enough time and energy to do it. If you don't, well, you better opt for the latter.
Having professionals handle your relocation will come with many benefits, especially if you have an international move to plan - a move that requires shipping your appliances overseas. The professionals will ensure to get them there safely, and you will not have to lift a finger.
However, be careful whom you hire! You need reliable professionals to handle your move. So, before you hire any company, do a background check.
3. Clean and Dry All the Appliances
It doesn't matter whether you plan on hiring movers or doing everything alone - there is one thing you have to do before the moving day. And that thing is cleaning all of your appliances. Trust us; there is nothing worse than arriving at your new home, opening up the boxes, and being hit with the awful smell of rotten food and mold.
Thus, a couple of days before you move, clean every appliance you plan on relocating. And use proper cleaning solutions. Clean the fridge, oven, stove, and all smaller appliances such as blenders, coffee makers, toasters, etc. Then, let everything dry thoroughly. Don't put wet appliances inside the box, as that will make the box deteriorate.
4. Disassemble What You Can
Once everything is clean and dry, it is time for disassembling. Of course, you don't have to disassemble the smaller appliances, but when it comes to bigger ones, taking things apart is mandatory. It is required not only because it will make moving easier but also because it can prevent damage along the way.
Moreover, when disassembling appliances, be sure to take all things apart. For instance, if you want to disassemble the fridge, remove its door and all the shelves and holders inside. Remember that this is something you should do even when moving domestically if you want to avoid damages, not only when moving long-distance.
5. Acquire Packing Materials
If you decide to hire professional movers, you can skip this step. Professional movers, such as those from Four Winds KSA and similar companies, will come equipped with all the packing materials and all the necessary equipment.
However, if you decide to do everything by yourself, prepare for some shopping. But, this time, you won't be buying clothes, only packing materials. For moving your appliances, you will need cardboard boxes of all sizes, packing paper and plastic wrap, a lot of packing peanuts, good-quality duct tape, scissors, and a permanent marker for labeling. You should also get some of those zip bags for keeping all the screws and other smaller pieces organized.
Moreover, don't forget to rent a dolly - you won't be able to move your large appliance without it. And, of course, don't forget the moving blankets - they will ensure a scratchless move.
6. Get Help for Moving Your Appliances without Causing Damage
One of the best tips for moving your appliances without causing damage we can give you is getting help. You will need help in terms of helping hands. The more hands, the better. So, when the day comes for you to carry that fridge (or oven, or stove, etc.) to the moving truck, call your friends, family member, neighbors, and pretty much anybody who doesn't have anything to do on that day.
Moreover, you should also get help from the Internet. That is, you should research how to pack bulky items when moving, how to handle fragile items, etc. Research as much as possible - that is going to save your move.
7. Load Everything and Secure It Safely
Now that everything is packed call those helpers and start loading your moving truck. As previously mentioned, use a dolly for heavy pieces. If you don't have it - find more helpers. And remember to lift with your knees, not your back!
Another thing you should research is how to secure all of your appliances and boxes inside the truck. Our advice is to get moving straps and tie them to handles inside the track so they won't move. Also, put moving blankets under bigger appliances, so they don't scratch.
As you have seen, moving your appliances without causing damage requires a lot of work. So, start with preparations ahead of time. Don't wait until the last minute to do all the work, as that will result in many accidents and broken appliances.
