Knowing how to move a fridge safely is more involved than most people expect. A fridge is one of the heaviest and most awkward appliances in any home, and moving it without proper preparation can result in costly repairs to the appliance, your floors, or your walls — or worse, a back injury. Whether you’re relocating within Perth, moving to a new house interstate, or simply rearranging your kitchen, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to move a fridge without stress or damage.
Key Takeaways
- Always keep a fridge upright during transport to protect the cooling system and compressor.
- Proper preparation before the move prevents mould growth, water leaks, and damage to internal components.
- You’ll need at least two people, the right tools, and a clear route to move a fridge safely.
- After the move, wait several hours before plugging the fridge back in.
- For heavy appliances, tight spaces, or fridge interstate moves, professional movers are worth considering.
Essential Tools You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather your essential tools. Having everything ready before you start makes the moving process far smoother and reduces the risk of improvising mid-move.
- Appliance dolly or hand truck — A dolly or hand truck is the single most important piece of equipment for this job. A standard hand truck can work, but an appliance dolly with straps is ideal for large appliances like a fridge.
- Moving straps — Moving straps help you maintain a firm grip and distribute the fridge’s weight more evenly between two people when lifting or manoeuvring.
- Ratchet straps or bungee cords — Use ratchet straps or bungee cords to secure the fridge to your dolly and to anchor it in the moving truck during transport.
- Moving blankets or furniture blankets — Moving blankets (sometimes called furniture blankets) protect the fridge’s exterior from dents and scratches, and also protect your walls and doorframes.
- Bubble wrap — Bubble wrap is ideal for wrapping removable shelves, glass panels, and other internal components that could crack or shatter.
- Strong tape — Strong tape keeps the fridge doors secured shut and holds your bubble wrap and moving blankets in place.
- Work gloves — Protect your hands from sharp edges and improve grip.
- Measuring tape — Check doorway widths, hallway clearances, and stair widths before you start.
- Mild detergent and baking soda — Useful for cleaning the interior before and after the move to prevent odours and mould growth.
Pre-Move Preparation: How to Prepare Your Fridge
Good pre-move preparation is the difference between a smooth move and a messy, damaging one. Give yourself sufficient time — ideally 24 to 48 hours before moving day — to prepare your fridge properly.
1. Empty the Fridge Completely
Remove all food items, drinks, and condiments. Even small amounts of liquid can spill and create a mess or damage the fridge during transit. Donate, consume, or pack food in an esky or cooler bag.
2. Switch It Off and Defrost
Turn the fridge off and unplug it at least 24 hours before the move. This allows the freezer compartment to fully defrost. Place towels around the base to catch any water runoff. Never attempt to move a fridge that’s still frozen — the ice adds weight and moving it can cause water damage.
3. Remove Removable Shelves and Drawers
Take out all removable shelves, drawers, and bins. Wrap each piece individually in bubble wrap and secure with strong tape. Pack these separately in clearly labelled boxes to prevent breakage. Loose internal components are easily damaged if left inside during transit.
4. Disconnect Water Lines
If your fridge has a built-in ice maker or water dispenser, disconnect the water lines before the move. Turn off the water supply valve (usually located behind the fridge or under the sink), then detach the water line from the back of the appliance. Have a towel ready to catch residual water, and cap or wrap the end of the line to prevent drips.
5. Secure the Power Cord
Wrap the power cord and tape it to the back of the fridge so it doesn’t drag on the ground or get caught during the move. Loose cords are a tripping hazard and can be damaged if they’re dragged across floors or caught under the dolly.
6. Clean the Interior
Wipe down the inside with warm water and a mild detergent. Follow up with a light baking soda solution to neutralise any lingering odours. Dry the interior thoroughly — moisture left inside a sealed fridge during transit can encourage mould growth.
7. Secure the Fridge Doors
Use strong tape or bungee cords to keep the fridge doors firmly closed. Fridge doors swinging open mid-move can cause injury to the people carrying it and damage to the doors themselves, surrounding walls, and door seals.
Step 1: Plan Your Route
Careful planning before you lift a finger will save considerable effort and prevent damage. Measure your fridge’s height, width, and depth, then measure every doorway, hallway, and any stair widths on your intended path. Add a few extra centimetres to account for moving blankets and padding.
Take note of any tight spaces, sharp turns, overhead fixtures, or low ceilings. If you’re moving through a narrow hallway or navigating stairs, you’ll need to plan these sections especially carefully. Remove rugs, furniture, and any other obstacles along the route before you start. The goal is a clear, unobstructed path from the fridge’s current position to the moving truck or new location.
Step 2: Wrap and Protect the Fridge
Wrap the entire exterior of the fridge in moving blankets. Pay particular attention to the corners, which are most prone to dents and scratches. Secure the moving blankets with strong tape or ratchet straps, wrapping them both horizontally and vertically so they don’t slip. For extra protection on high-contact areas like the top corners, add a layer of bubble wrap beneath the blankets.
Make sure the fridge doors are taped shut before wrapping so they don’t swing open during the process.
Step 3: Load the Fridge onto the Dolly or Hand Truck
An appliance dolly or hand truck makes moving a heavy fridge dramatically easier and safer. To load the fridge:
- Tilt the fridge back slightly — just enough to slide the dolly plate underneath. Do not tip it more than necessary.
- Centre the dolly plate under the fridge for balanced weight distribution.
- Secure the fridge to the dolly using moving straps or bungee cords. Make sure the appliance stays firmly in place and cannot shift while being wheeled.
- Tilt the dolly back so the fridge’s weight rests on the dolly wheels.
- Keep your back straight and bend your knees — always lift with your legs, not your back.
Move slowly and steadily, communicating clearly with the second person at all times. Never attempt to move a fridge alone.
Step 4: Navigating Stairs, Hallways, and Tight Spaces
Navigating stairs is the most physically demanding part of any fridge move. Always use at least two people. For wider or heavier units, three people is even better — one on each side and one at the bottom to bear the weight.
Going down stairs: Tilt the fridge back slightly on the dolly. The person at the bottom supports the weight and steps down one stair at a time while the person at the top guides and controls the descent. Communicate each step clearly. Never let the fridge slide freely.
Going up stairs: The person at the bottom pushes upward while the person at the top pulls and steadies. Tilt the dolly slightly forward. Lift one step at a time.
In tight spaces and narrow hallways, move slowly and check clearances before committing. Rushing through tight spaces is how doors get knocked off their hinges and walls get gouged.
Step 5: Loading onto the Moving Truck
Use a ramp when loading onto the moving truck — most removalist trucks and hire trucks include one. Roll the dolly up the ramp slowly with one person guiding from behind and one at the top of the ramp steadying the fridge.
Position the fridge inside the truck in an upright position, ideally against a solid wall. Use ratchet straps or bungee cords to secure it to the truck’s anchor points so it cannot tip or slide during transit. Prevent shifting by surrounding the fridge with other furniture or soft items like mattresses and moving blankets to cushion it from impact.
If you’re loading a fridge onto a pickup truck rather than a full moving truck, the same principles apply — secure it upright with ratchet straps and ensure it cannot move. Fridge interstate moves over long distances require extra attention to securing the appliance, as vibrations and road movement over many hours can cause damage if the fridge isn’t anchored properly.
Important: Always transport a fridge in an upright position. If the fridge must be laid on its side for any reason, allow it to sit upright for at least 4 hours before plugging it in. Laying a fridge flat can force compressor oil into the cooling lines, leading to compressor damage and potentially rendering the appliance unusable.
Step 6: Setting Up at the New Location
Once the fridge arrives at its new location, move it carefully into position using the dolly. Level it by adjusting the feet at the base — a level fridge runs more efficiently and prevents premature wear on the compressor and door seals.
Before plugging it in, observe a waiting period of at least 2–4 hours to allow the refrigerant and compressor oil to settle after transit. If the fridge was moved a significant distance or transported on its side, wait longer — up to 24 hours is ideal for optimal performance and to avoid compressor damage.
Reconnect the water lines if applicable and turn on the water supply. Plug the power cord into a grounded outlet — do not use extension cords or power boards. Replace removable shelves and drawers, then set the temperature controls (typically around 3°C for the fridge and -18°C for the freezer). Allow approximately 24 hours for the fridge to reach its ideal operating temperature before fully restocking with food.
Check the door seals by placing a piece of paper in the closed door — if you can pull it out easily, the seal may need adjusting or replacing. A poor seal forces the cooling system to work harder, increasing energy use and shortening the appliance’s lifespan.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When You Move a Fridge
Even experienced DIY movers make avoidable errors. Here are the most common mistakes to watch for:
- Tipping the fridge on its side or back — Always keep the fridge upright. Tipping it risks compressor damage and can void your warranty on a new fridge.
- Moving it alone — A fridge is not a one-person job. Without a second person, you risk injury, dropping the appliance, and serious damage to your floors and walls.
- Skipping the defrost step — Moving a fridge that hasn’t been defrosted will result in water pooling on your floors and in the moving truck.
- Forgetting to secure the fridge doors — Fridge doors swinging open during the move can injure the movers and damage the door hinges and seals. Always tape or strap the doors shut before moving.
- Using the handles to lift — Fridge handles are not designed to bear the full weight of the appliance. Lift from the base or use proper moving straps.
- Dragging instead of using a dolly — Dragging a fridge across the floor damages both the floor and the fridge’s base. Always use an appliance dolly or hand truck.
- Plugging in too soon — Plugging the fridge in before the waiting period is complete can cause compressor damage. This is one of the most common and costly mistakes.
- Not cleaning before the move — Skipping the clean-down step leads to mould growth and bad odours inside a sealed fridge during transit.
When to Hire Professional Movers
Learning how to move a fridge yourself is entirely achievable with the right tools and preparation. But there are situations where it’s smarter and safer to hire professionals rather than attempt a DIY move:
- The fridge is very large or unusually heavy (e.g., American-style double-door units)
- The move involves multiple flights of stairs or very tight spaces
- You’re moving fridge interstate and need it transported over a long distance
- You don’t have access to a suitable moving truck or appliance dolly
- You’re moving multiple large appliances at the same time
- You’d rather protect your floors, walls, and back — and get the job done quickly
Professional movers and professional removalists have the right tools, trained staff, and the experience to handle heavy appliances efficiently. For Perth residents, Perth Cheap Movers specialises in exactly this kind of move — from single heavy appliances to full house relocations. Their team knows how to move a fridge safely, handle proper preparation, and ensure your fridge arrives safely at its new location without damage. Contact Perth Cheap Movers for a free quote before your next move.