How to Move a Refrigerator Safely and Without Damaging Anything (Including Yourself)

Let’s be real. Moving a refrigerator is one of those tasks that sounds simple until you’re staring down a 300-pound appliance with no clue where to start. It’s bulky, it’s heavy, and if you mess it up, you might end up with a busted appliance, busted house, or busted back. 

Fortunately, we spoke with five moving pros who’ve wrangled more fridges than most of us have opened. So if you’re planning to move a fridge from your home in Salt Lake City, UT, to your next house in San Antonio, TX, or just across the kitchen, read this first. 

Don’t just yank it—prep it

Before you even think about budging that fridge an inch, it needs to be properly prepped. This isn’t a grab-it-and-go operation.

“Remove food and loose shelves. Clean the interior. Unplug and secure the power cord. Disconnect and drain the water line if applicable,” says Landon Franchow of Miracle Movers. Basically, treat your fridge like it’s going on vacation and you’re the responsible roommate making sure everything’s clean and shut off..

And speaking of unplugging, do it early. Like, the night before.

“At least 24 hours before moving to allow defrosting and temperature stabilization,” Landon adds. That gives the fridge time to defrost if there’s any frost buildup, which is important unless you want to create an impromptu water feature in the moving truck. “It takes 4 to 24 hours. Plan to use towels to absorb any water runoff.”

Wrapping and strapping, not just for gifts

Once your fridge is prepped, it’s time to cocoon it like the fragile beast it is.

“Wrap the fridge with a moving blanket and stretch wrap to avoid exterior damage,” says Robert Ball of Uinta Moving Company. “Place the fridge upright against the wall [of the moving truck] and attach a ratchet strap beneath the fridge door handles. When securing the strap, ensure the strap is not putting any stress on any fragile components.”

Yes, upright. Always upright.

“The fridge always needs to be placed upright while transporting,” says Robert. “Otherwise it can cause damage to key components internally, most specifically the freezing and cooling units.”

Cost Check: What if you pay someone to do this?

If moving your fridge sounds more stressful than your last group chat meltdown, you might consider hiring pros.

“We do not have any additional charge for moving fridges if it is part of a [larger] move,” says Robert. “If it’s just the fridge being moved alone, it would likely be between $200–$400.”

Honestly, that’s a small price to pay to keep your spine intact.

Ready to plug it in? Not so fast

You finally made it to your new place. Your fridge survived. You’re hungry. Time to plug it in, right? Not necessarily.

“If your refrigerator was transported in a vertical position, it is safe to plug it in at your destination without delay,” says Kevin of Trinity Movers. “However, if it was laid on its side or transported horizontally, it is recommended to wait at least 24 hours to allow the oil and refrigerant to settle.”

No one wants a fried compressor because you were too eager to chill a soda.

Did something go wrong? Here’s how to tell

Even with all the best prep, sometimes things get bumpy. Keep an eye (and ear) out.

“Inspect your refrigerator thoroughly for any visible dings, dents, or damage,” says Kevin. “Ensure that the doors are properly aligned and functioning correctly. Pay attention to any unusual noises… and check for any missing screws, bolts, or other hardware.”

If anything seems off, trust your instincts. Or better yet, call in the pros.

Red flags when hiring movers

Not all movers are created equal, especially when it comes to appliances.

Kevin warns, “Avoid movers that don’t offer a full value protection plan… make sure to get it in writing… [and] avoid movers who only offer basic insurance coverage, which typically costs $0.60 per pound per article,” which is not nearly enough if your fridge ends up busted. 

Also, if your fridge has a water line, “Ensure that the movers demonstrate the water is properly connected and turned on. Inspect the area for any signs of leaks,” Kevin adds.

Rookie mistakes to avoid

Joe from Rocky Movers sees the same goofs over and over again:

“One of the biggest mistakes is not properly securing the fridge before moving it. Many people forget to empty and defrost it ahead of time, which can lead to leaks and damage. Others move it on its side for too long, which can cause compressor issues. Skipping proper padding and not securing it in the moving truck can also lead to dents and scratches.”

In a nutshell: prep it, pad it, strap it, and stand it up straight.

Pro tips for keeping it safe

“To keep your fridge safe, start by emptying and defrosting it at least 24 hours before the move,” Joe adds. “Secure all shelves and doors with tape or straps, and always transport it in an upright position whenever possible. Use a dolly with straps for support, and make sure to pad it well to prevent dents. In the moving truck, secure it against a wall to prevent shifting.”

And if disaster strikes, like your fridge tipping over?

“Don’t panic,” says Joe. “First, set it upright and let it sit unplugged for at least 24 hours. This allows the oil in the compressor to settle back properly. Before plugging it in, check for visible damage or leaks. If you hear unusual noises or if it doesn’t cool properly, call a professional to inspect it.”

Bonus: Here’s how you don’t trash your floors

Your fridge may survive the move, but will your floors?

“Fridges and other appliances should always be properly wrapped and secured prior to moving,” says Vlad of SpyderMoving. “Use premium floor mats for doors, rails and handle covers protection is always a plus… and should be requested.”

And once it’s on the dolly? Vlad recommends using “Strappings and tie-downs when transporting appliances on moving equipment like a dolly” to help avoid dents and dings to both your appliance and your walls.

Moving a refrigerator doesn’t have to suck

With a little prep, the right tools, and some sage advice from seasoned movers, you can conquer fridge relocation like a pro, and avoid a trip to urgent care or an emergency call to an appliance repair tech..

As long as you keep it upright, strap it down, and give it time to decompress (literally), your fridge will keep its cool, and so will you.

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