Appliances get forgotten until the crew is standing in the kitchen, because for most of the packing process they just keep working. Then move day arrives and the refrigerator is full, the washer is mid-cycle, and the gas dryer is still connected to a live line. Appliance prep is not hard, but almost none of it can be done on move day itself. The clock starts two days early.
Short answer
Unplug and empty the refrigerator at least 24 hours ahead so it can defrost and dry completely. Secure the washer drum with shipping bolts, drain the hoses, and have a licensed professional disconnect any gas appliance before the crew arrives. Tape cords to their machines, and measure every doorway on the route out and the route in.
The refrigerator owns the schedule
Everything else on this list takes minutes. The fridge takes a day. It needs to be emptied, unplugged, and left open at least 24 hours before transport, longer if the freezer carries real frost, and towels on the floor will catch the melt. The part people skip is the drying: a refrigerator sealed shut with moisture inside and loaded into a warm truck starts growing mold before it reaches the new kitchen. Wipe it fully dry, prop the doors open until loading, and pack the shelves and drawers separately or secure them so they cannot shift.
Plan meals so the last week eats down the fridge and freezer. Whatever survives can travel short distances in coolers in the family car, because perishables do not belong on the truck.
Washers hold water and dryers hold lint
A washing machine that has not been drained will leak in the truck, onto whatever is stacked beneath it. Run a final cycle a day or two ahead, then disconnect the supply hoses and drain them, and leave the door open so the drum dries. Front-load washers also need their shipping bolts, the long rods that lock the drum in place. The originals came with the machine; if they are long gone, replacement kits exist for most models, and it is worth ordering one because an unsecured drum can damage the machine's suspension in transit. Dryers are easier: clean the lint trap, and vacuum the vent duct while it is disconnected, since there will never be a better time.
Gas disconnection is not a homeowner job
This is the one hard line in appliance prep. A gas dryer, range, or cooktop must be disconnected by a licensed plumber or gas technician, and the line capped, before the moving crew touches the appliance. Moving crews do not disconnect live gas lines, and a homeowner should not either. A fitting that seems snug can still leak into a closed house. Book the technician for a day or two before the move, and if the new home has gas hookups, arrange the reconnection on the other end at the same time. The same logic applies to hardwired electrical appliances and to plumbed-in items such as dishwashers and ice makers: shut-off, disconnection, and capping come first, moving comes second.
Cords, manuals, and the tape measure
Small prep, outsized payoff. Coil each appliance's cord and tape it to the back of the machine, so it is not dangling under someone's foot on the stairs. Bag the odd parts, the oven racks and grates and hose fittings, and tape the bag to the appliance it belongs to. Manuals and warranty papers go in the documents folder that rides in the car. Then take the tape measure and check the appliance against every doorway, stair turn, and hallway between it and the truck, and do the same for the new house. A refrigerator that entered through a kitchen doorway before the remodel does not always exit through it. Finding that out with a tape measure costs nothing; finding out with a loaded dolly on move day costs an hour and some drywall.
Appliance prep checklist
- Fridge emptied, unplugged, defrosted, and dried, starting 24 to 48 hours out.
- Fridge shelves and drawers packed or secured.
- Washer drained, hoses disconnected, shipping bolts installed.
- Dryer lint trap and vent cleaned.
- Licensed professional booked for gas disconnection, and reconnection at the new home.
- Dishwasher and ice maker water lines shut off and disconnected.
- Cords taped to machines, loose parts bagged and attached.
- Manuals in the ride-along documents folder.
- Every doorway, stairway, and turn measured at both houses.
What to tell the movers ahead of time
Appliances change the crew and equipment plan, so they belong in the quote conversation, not the move-day surprise pile. When requesting a free estimate, list which appliances are moving and mention any tight access at either property. For a standard local move, prepped appliances load like any other heavy item. And when appliances are staying behind but need to be out of the way for a sale or turnover, that is a job for property preparation rather than the moving truck.
FAQ
How long before a move should a refrigerator be emptied and defrosted?
Empty it and unplug it at least 24 hours before the move, and 48 hours for a freezer with heavy frost buildup. The interior must be fully dry before transport or it will grow mold in a sealed truck.
Can movers disconnect a gas dryer or gas range?
No. Gas appliance disconnection should be done by a licensed plumber or gas technician before move day. Moving crews move the appliance after it has been safely disconnected and capped.
What is a washer shipping bolt and do I need one?
Shipping bolts lock the washer drum so it cannot slam around in transit. Front-load washers in particular need them, using the original bolts or a replacement kit for that model.