How to Move a Refrigerator

If you are in the process of moving to a new place, the moving of heavy appliances is one of the more challenging jobs. With a little planning and a little help, though, moving a refrigerator can be done safely and securely, protecting both you and your appliance.

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Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Preparing the Fridge to Move

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1
Empty the refrigerator of all its contents. Before you try to move a fridge, it's best to take everything out. Make sure that both your refrigerator and freezer are free of food, condiments, ice cube trays, and anything else that might rattle around and shift weight. Remove items placed outside of your refrigerator as well, such as magnets.^{[1]XResearch source}
- If there are perishable items in the refrigerator, finish them or give them away. If you're in the middle of a big move, it's probably easier to just to toss the things you can't finish now.
- If you want to move the fridge a short distance in the same room, to clean behind it or reorganize the kitchen, remove the items anyway, and place them on the counters. It'll make it safer to move and you won't risk tipping over the fridge. Use moving rollers, and place them under the feet of the fridge to do this. Slide it out enough to unplug it, then simply slide it where you want it to go.
2
Remove the shelves. Remove all removable components from the inside of the fridge, including shelves, trays, and other loose or movable items, organizers, and dividers. Wrap the shelves in towels for protection, then label and stack them carefully.^{[2]XResearch source}
- You may also opt to secure shelving in place with tape instead of removing, but it is recommended to remove them altogether and pack them separately. Depending on your fridge, though, this might be a fine option. If they're fairly secure, consider taping them into place and creating less mess with the move.
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Coil the power cord securely and tape it in a tight bundle to make sure that it stays in place while moving. If your refrigerator has an ice maker, disconnect this from the water source as well.
4
Defrost the freezer if necessary. If a considerable amount of frost has built up in the freezer, you'll need to defrost it before going forward with the move. This would normally take 6 to 8 hours to complete, so make sure you have ample time before the move. It is best to do this the night before the move so there would be enough time to defrost overnight, and you can wipe the inside of the refrigerator in the morning.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Don't waste a bunch of valuable moving time scrubbing the fridge but take advantage of the opportunity to give your refrigerator a reasonably thorough cleaning before you take it to your new place. While the freezer defrosts, wipe down the drawers and the interior surfaces with disinfectant.
5
Close and secure the doors. Fasten the refrigerator and freezer doors snugly shut using strong rope or bungee cord. If your refrigerator has a double-door, tie the door handles together as well. Be careful not to tie the refrigerator too tightly, or the doors may be pulled out of alignment. It is not recommended to use tape for securing the door, since it may either damage the finish of the refrigerator, or leave a residue.^{[4]XResearch source}
- If the move is scheduled to take longer than a day, it is recommended to keep the doors slightly open to allow for air flow, and prevent any mold or mildew from growing inside the refrigerator.^{[5]XResearch source}
Because a fridge needs to be held upright and operated using a dolly, it can be tempting to go it alone, but it's always safer to lift heavy objects and negotiate them through doors, around corners, downstairs, and into a truck with the aid of some assistants. Moving a refrigerator is a job for at least two.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Moving the Fridge

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1
Use a moving dolly. One of the best pieces of equipment to use would be a refrigerator dolly, which can handle the weight of the refrigerator, and provide ease during moving, especially if the refrigerator needs to be transported downstairs.^{[6]XResearch source}^{[7]XExpert SourceHomer Flores
Appliance Repair SpecialistExpert Interview. 14 April 2021.}
- Any dolly with straps will do, but make sure that the base is big enough to seat the bottom of the fridge on securely and that straps are big enough to secure the refrigerator safely. It's very important that the base is big enough because you need to keep the fridge upright to avoid leaking coolant.
- If you don't have a moving dolly, you need to rent one. While moving straps are available that could theoretically be used to strap a fridge to your back, buying moving straps would be more expensive and much more dangerous than borrowing a dolly. Don't attempt to move one without it.
2
Slide the refrigerator away from the wall and secure it to the dolly. With most fridges, you should be able to slide the dolly right under, lifting it gently if necessary. Slide the dolly in under either of the sides to prevent damage from scratches or dents in the front. It is highly advisable to place a towel or blanket between the dolly upright rails and side of the refrigerator to help reduce the chance of scratching finished surfaces. Tie the refrigerator to the dolly with the use of moving straps or bungees. Make sure that you minimize any tilting when lifting and positioning the refrigerator on the dolly. Maintain its upright position, to ensure that refrigerant oil will not seep into the heat exchanger tubes.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Never move the refrigerator on its side or back for any reason. The refrigerant oil in the compressor may flow into the heat exchanger tubes. When the refrigerator is returned to an upright position, the refrigerant oil may not completely drain from the heat exchanger tubes, and the refrigerator will not cool properly.^{[9]XResearch source}
- If it is unavoidable to lay the refrigerator on its side, make sure to do it at an upright angle if possible. Place a box or a big piece of furniture under the top of the fridge to help keep it relatively upright.
3
Tilt the fridge gently. When you've got the fridge hooked up to the dolly, roll it slowly to the truck that you're packing, moving forward. It's important to move in the direction opposite the tilt to maintain the most security. Have a helper assist on the other side, coaching you through obstacles and helping to secure the fridge.^{[10]XResearch source}
- To move the refrigerator down a flight of stairs, move it down one step at a time, your assistant easing it down onto each successive step. It would be ideal to have two people in front of the dolly and another at the back, holding the handles and letting it down slowly. Communicate loudly and don't go too fast.^{[11]XResearch source}
4
Load the fridge into the truck. Whether you're moving your fridge into a pick-up or a moving truck, back it up to the bed, placing the dolly between the lip of the truck bed and the fridge. Ideally, a moving truck will have a truck ramp that you'll be able to roll it up easily. If not, you'll have to use a bit more care.
- To lift a fridge straight up into the bed of a truck, you need to get up into the bed and have at least two people down on the ground. Coordinate and lift simultaneously, pulling straight up with the handles of the dolly while the helpers on the ground lift from the base and push it back into the bed. It would ideal to have another helper with you, too, to make sure the fridge doesn't fall backward onto you.
- Secure the fridge upright in the truck. If you can leave it hooked up to the dolly, that would add security and stability to the fridge, but if you can't, brace it with other furniture or moving supplies, or strap it into place using the bungees.
Let the refrigerator down and move it into the new place just as you moved it out. Allow it to sit for at least 3 hours before plugging it in. This will allow for the refrigerant oil to flow back into its compressor, and would prevent any damage to the appliance. It would take around 3 days for the refrigerator to return to its ideal cooling temperature and be useable.^{[12]XResearch source}

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Can you lay a refrigerator down to move it?
How.com.vn Staff Editor
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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
How.com.vn Staff Editor
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Most refrigerators need to be transported upright and not on their sides. If the fridge has been transported on its back or side, it can cause the compressor oil to flow into the cooling tubes, which can stop the refrigerator from cooling down properly. However, some of the latest model refrigerators are able to tolerate being transported on their sides; you’ll need to check the manufacturer’s instructions to be sure. If you’ve accidentally transported a fridge on its side or back, let it stand for as long as it was transported this way, or for 24 hours just to be safe, to allow enough time for the fluids to return to their right placement before you use the fridge again.
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Question
Why can’t you lay a refrigerator down?
How.com.vn Staff Editor
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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
How.com.vn Staff Editor
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You shouldn’t lay down a refrigerator because it causes the fluids to get mixed up, when the compressor oil flows into the cooling tubes. If this is not corrected, the refrigerator won’t cool properly. You can try to fix it by letting the refrigerator stand for 24 hours before connecting it to the power again but if this doesn’t help, call a refrigerator mechanic in to fix it for you.
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Can you lay a fridge freezer down to move it?
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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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It is always better to transport your refrigerator the right way up, to avoid causing the compressor oil to flow into the cooling tubes, which can prevent the mechanisms from cooling properly. However, always read the manual for your refrigerator because some of the more recent models may be suitable for laying sideways for transportation.
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Tips

Read the manual of your refrigerator before moving. It will provide you with additional instructions or safety tips you should take note of during the move.
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If you are not very confident about moving your refrigerator yourself, it is always a good idea to enlist the aid of professional movers.
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Any time you transport or set the refrigerator on its side, you should allow it to remain in an upright position for a day or more prior to applying power. This time will to allow refrigerant oil to return to the compressor from heat exchanger tubes.
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Warnings

Never try moving a refrigerator by yourself, as the massive weight of the appliance could cause you serious injury if it falls on you. Make sure that you have ample assistance from at least two people strong enough to move the refrigerator around, especially if you need to move it up or down a flight of stairs.
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