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How to Move a Refrigerator: A Step-by-Step Guide

The refrigerator is usually the trickiest appliance in the house. It's heavy, awkward, full of parts that don't like being tipped over, and it has to fit through doorways and stairwells that were not designed with it in mind. Done right, moving one is very doable. Done wrong, you can end up with a damaged floor, a dented door, or a fridge that stops cooling. Here's how to move a refrigerator the safe way.

Before You Start: Measure and Plan

Most fridge-moving problems happen before anyone lifts anything. Take five minutes to:

  • Measure the refrigerator (height, width, depth), then measure every doorway, hallway and stairwell on the path out, and the doorways at your new place.
  • Check the new kitchen opening. Confirm the fridge will fit the space, with a little clearance for airflow.
  • Plan the route. Remove rugs, open doors fully, and clear anything that could trip someone carrying a heavy load.
  • Decide how many people you need. Two is the minimum. Stairs usually call for more.

Step 1: Empty, Defrost and Clean It

Start 24 to 48 hours before moving day.

  1. Empty the fridge and freezer. Plan where perishables will go (coolers with ice work for a short local move).
  2. Unplug it and let the freezer defrost fully. Put towels down to catch the water.
  3. Wipe it out and dry it completely. A damp fridge shut for hours in a truck is how you get odors and mold.
  4. Turn off the ice maker and disconnect the water line if you have one. Check your owner’s manual for the right way.

Step 2: Secure the Inside and the Doors

  • Remove or tape down loose shelves, drawers and bins so they don’t crack in transit. Wrap glass shelves in padding.
  • Secure the doors closed with a ratchet strap or moving straps wrapped around the body. Avoid tape on the finish, since it can pull paint or leave residue.
  • Coil the power cord and secure it to the back so it can’t be pinched or dragged.

Step 3: Use the Right Equipment

This is where most DIY moves go wrong.

  • An appliance dolly with a strap is the best tool for a fridge. A flat furniture dolly is much less stable.
  • Moving blankets protect the finish and your walls.
  • Straps hold the fridge to the dolly and, later, to the truck wall.
  • Gloves and closed-toe shoes protect your hands and feet. Take care with your back, too.

Step 4: Move It Upright

Keep the refrigerator upright during the move whenever you can.

  • Tilt it back slightly onto the dolly. Don’t try to carry it by the doors or handles. They aren’t load-bearing.
  • On stairs, keep the heaviest end below you as you go, and go slowly. Have a spotter ready.
  • If you absolutely have to lay it down because of tight clearances, check the manufacturer’s guidance for how long to let it stand before plugging it back in. Many recommend waiting several hours, and some say up to 24, so the oil and coolant can settle. Never lay it on its back.

Step 5: Load and Secure It in the Truck

  • Load the fridge upright, against the side wall or bulkhead.
  • Strap it to the wall so it can’t shift, and pad any contact points.
  • Don’t stack heavy boxes on top of it.

Step 6: Set Up at the New Place

  1. Slide it into position on the dolly, then check the level.
  2. Let it rest upright for the time your manual recommends before plugging it in.
  3. Plug it in and give it several hours to cool before loading it with food.
  4. Reconnect the water line and ice maker last.

When to Call Professional Movers

You don’t have to take on a refrigerator yourself. It’s worth hiring movers if:

  • You have stairs, tight turns or narrow doorways
  • It’s a large, French-door or built-in model
  • You’re in an apartment with an elevator reservation or narrow hallways. See our apartment moving services.
  • You’d rather not risk damaged floors, walls or the appliance itself

Our crews handle refrigerators and other heavy items every week through our large item moving service, whether it’s the only thing you need moved or part of a full local move. If you’re also packing up the kitchen, our packing services can handle dishes and fragile items so you can focus on everything else. Planning the whole move? Our local move checklist for Worcester walks through each step, and our guide to moving a washer and dryer covers the other big appliances.

Quick Refrigerator Moving Checklist

  • Measured the fridge, doorways and new space
  • Emptied, defrosted, cleaned and dried the inside
  • Water line and ice maker disconnected
  • Shelves and drawers removed or secured
  • Doors strapped closed, cord secured
  • Appliance dolly, straps and blankets ready
  • Moved and loaded upright
  • Rested before plugging in at the new home

Get a Quote for Your Move

Moving a refrigerator is a lot easier with a trained crew and the right equipment. Contact Philip P. Massad Movers for a free quote. Whether you need one appliance moved across Worcester or your whole household, we’ll make it simple. Serving Worcester and the surrounding towns.