How to Move Your Fridge, Washing Machine and White Goods.

White goods cause more moving day surprises than any other category of household item. They are heavy, awkward, and have specific preparation requirements that most people do not know about until something goes wrong. Here is what you need to know before moving day.

The fridge - defrost 24 hours before and keep it upright

The most important fridge preparation step is defrosting the freezer compartment at least 24 hours before the move. A fridge that has not been defrosted will melt in the truck and the water will end up in the boxes around it. Unplug the fridge the night before the move, empty it completely, remove all interior shelves and glass compartments and pack them separately, and leave the door open to allow the interior to dry fully.

The fridge must travel upright. This is the rule most people do not know until they have damaged a fridge by transporting it on its side. The compressor contains oil that can flow into the refrigerant lines if the unit is tipped, causing permanent damage when it is plugged back in. If the fridge must be briefly tilted to get through a doorway, keep the tilt minimal and wait at least four hours after the move before plugging it back in - this allows the compressor oil to settle. Write it on the fridge door if you need to remember.

The washing machine - transit bolts are not optional

The drum of a front-loader washing machine is suspended on springs to allow movement during the wash cycle. During transport, an unsecured drum can swing hard enough on those springs to destroy the bearings, damage the tub, and crack the outer casing. Transit bolts lock the drum in place for transport. They came with your machine when it was new - they are the bolts you removed when you first installed it.

If you no longer have the transit bolts, this is worth fixing before moving day. Most appliance spare parts suppliers can order replacement transit bolts for your specific model. For a short local move - say, within Dee Why or between neighbouring North Shore suburbs - a folded bedsheet or towel packed firmly into the drum can reduce movement as a substitute - but proper transit bolts are significantly more reliable.

Disconnect the water supply hose and drain any remaining water before moving. Tape the power cord and hose to the back of the machine. Washing machines travel upright only - never on their side or back.

The dryer

Clean the lint filter before moving - loose lint in a moving truck is a fire risk. Tape the door firmly closed. If it is a gas dryer, have a licensed plumber disconnect the gas line before moving day. This is not a DIY task and the plumber needs to be booked in advance, not on moving morning.

The dishwasher

Disconnect the water supply and power, and run a short rinse cycle to clear any standing water. Tape the door firmly closed - a dishwasher door that swings open in a moving truck can damage items nearby. Remove the bottom rack and any loose interior components and pack them separately with clear labelling so they are easy to find at the other end.

Oven and cooktop

If your oven is freestanding, clean it before moving day - grease and food residue that is stable when the oven is horizontal can shift and spread during transport. Tape the door closed. Remove the racks and grill tray and pack them separately, wrapped to protect anything they are travelling near. For a gas oven or cooktop, the gas connection needs to be disconnected by a licensed plumber before moving.

What Billy and Jet do

For the full picture of how moving day runs and what to have ready when we arrive, read our guide to moving day. And if you need help with the packing side before we arrive, that is covered too. White goods are standard on every Sydney home move we do. We bring appliance dollies and moving blankets specifically for this category of item. We will not transport a fridge on its side. We check for transit bolts on washing machines during quoting and flag it if they appear to be missing so you have time to source them before the day. Gas disconnection we flag as a plumber job that needs booking in advance - not something to discover on moving morning. For the full picture of what to have ready before we arrive, read our guide on what to expect on moving day.

After the move - what to do at the new property

Getting the appliances into the new property is only half the job. The reconnection order matters and so do the wait times.

The fridge goes in last, not first. It needs to reach room temperature before you plug it in, and plugging it in too soon after a move can damage the compressor. The four-hour wait is a minimum. Many manufacturers recommend waiting 24 hours if the fridge was significantly tilted during the move. Position the fridge before plugging it in - moving it again after it has been running is unnecessary work.

The washing machine reconnection is the most common call-out for a plumber after a move. The water supply hose goes back to the cold water tap, the drain hose goes to the standpipe or tub, and the transit bolts come out before the first wash. If you leave the transit bolts in and run a cycle, the drum cannot move correctly and the bearings take damage immediately. Remove them before you touch the start button. Put them somewhere you will find them next time you move.

Gas appliances - ovens, cooktops, dryers - must be reconnected by a licensed plumber or gas fitter. In NSW this is a legal requirement, not a recommendation. Do not reconnect a gas appliance yourself regardless of how straightforward it appears. The reconnection cost is small compared to the consequence of a gas leak in a new home.

For the full picture of what to have ready before the removalists arrive and how the day runs, read our guide to moving day.

Frequently asked questions