Moving a washing machine is more complicated than one would think. They are bulky, heavy and awkward to move. Most washers weigh around 70kg to 90kg and some larger washing machines can weigh up to 100kg. They are also delicate and have many working parts that need to be handled with care during the move.
It is best to engage professional removalists to help you move your washing machine, but if you decide to move it yourself here is a step by step guide to make the process easier.
The Best Way To Move A Washing Machine By Yourself
Step 1: Read your instructions manual that came with your washing machine.
Step 2: Deep clean the interior and exterior of your appliance.
Step 3: Disconnect the water supply hose, the power cable and drain hose.
Step 4: Protect the drum by installing transit bolts or padding depending on your washing machine.
Step 5: Tape down the door and wrap your appliance in furniture blankets.
Step 6: Secure your machine in an upright position to the dolly with bungee cords or strong rope.
Step 7: Remove any transit bolts and run a test cycle.
7 Steps To Moving Your Washing Machine With A Dolly
1. Read Your Manual
Before you start moving your appliance, it is recommended you read your instruction manual to see if specific materials are necessary for transportation or certain components must be left secured or detached a certain way. If you have misplaced your instruction manual, you can often find an online version of your manual by looking up your washing machine brand and model number.
2. Deep Clean
It is best to start preparing your washing machine at least 2 days before the move. Moving is also the perfect time to give your appliance a good deep clean internally and externally so it is all ready for your new home.
For a deep clean, run an empty load with warm water or a drum clean cycle if you have that option on your washer. Make sure you spin dry and then leave the door and detergent compartment open to allow it to air dry for a full 48 hours. This will ensure your washer is completely dry from the inside out to prevent odours. This is especially important if you plan on keeping your washing machine in storage for a long duration.
Don’t forget to wipe down the inside of the door seal to remove mould and detergent deposits as well. If you haven’t replaced or cleaned out your filter in a while, this is a good time to do so. The filter can be found on the front of the washing machine. Your filter collects lint, tissues, coins, socks and other small pieces.
3. Disconnections
Turn off the hot and cold water valves that the washing machine is connected to. Some newer washing machine models are only connected to the cold water valve. Carefully detach the water supply hose from the machine and place it in a bucket or the sink to let all the water drain out then remove the hose from the water valves.
Turn off the power switch and unplug the washing machine from the power outlet. Tape the power cord to the washing machine to keep it secure.
Remove the drain hose from the machine and let water drain out into the sink or a bucket. Once all the water has been drained, remove the hose from the drain end.
We recommend you place the water supply hoses and drain hoses inside the washer drum so they don’t get misplaced during the move.
4. Protecting The Drum
Moving your washing machine can put a fair amount of wear and tear on your appliance’s suspension system. To protect the suspension from getting damaged, it is important to stabilize the washing machine’s drum and prevent it from excessive motion during the move.
For front loaders, you will need to place transit bolts at the back of your washing machine to stabilize the drum. Your washer would have come with the transit bolts at the time of purchase. If you do not have the transit bolts, check with the washing machine manufacturer to see what transit bolts are required so you can purchase replacement bolts before move day.
For top-loading washers, they won’t come with transit bolts but you can protect the drum by inserting padded material like cardboard or foam between the drum and the case.
5. Protecting The Washer
Tape down any latches and doors and wrap your washing machine with 3 to 4 furniture blankets so it is padded and protected to prevent it from dings and scratches during transit in the truck. Secure the furniture blankets to the washer with tape or shrink wrap.
6. Moving The Washer
Once your washing machine is all prepped and ready, use a dolly to move the washing machine. Secure your machine to the dolly with bungee cords or strong rope. Washing machines should be kept in an upright position throughout the whole moving process to prevent the inner and outer tubs from bumping against one another. Unwanted issues such as a damaged suspension, loose pads or knocking your washer out of alignment can occur if you place your washer on its side or back.
7. Check And Test
Once you’ve successfully moved your washing machine to your new home, make sure you remove your transit bolts and anything else you’ve placed inside your drum during the move. It is also good practise to run an empty test cycle to ensure your washer is working properly after the move.
