How To Prepare A Washing Machine For Moving Day

Your washing machine is one of the larger appliances within your home, and as such it can be intimidating trying to get it ready for moving day. The large size, heavy weight, and distinct function of a washing machine means that it requires special care to prepare for a move without becoming damaged. Thankfully, the process itself is straightforward and can be completed fairly easily by yourself in just a few hours.

Cleaning

The first thing that you should do before you move your washing machine is clean it. This is because your washing machine is likely to be sitting idle for a couple days, which means that mold and mildew can take root. In order to clean it, you should run your washing machine on a hot wash cycle with no clothes in it, and use a cup of bleach or detergent in it. Then, let the washing machine air dry with the door open for at least twelve hours--or longer if possible.

Unplug and Drain

Once the washer is clean, you'll have to also unplug it and drain the water from the supply hoses to be sure that no mold will grow in transit and that your washing machine is ready for transportation. Check your owner's manual to see specific instructions for your model. The following is a general guideline that can help show you the general process.

You'll want to disconnect the power to your washing machine at your home's breaker box, as well as the water supply (usually located right behind the washing machine, and can be done by hand). Next, you'll want to unplug the washing machine from the wall, and disconnect the hoses from the water supply. Allow the water to drain out of the hoses into a sink or a bucket, and then remove them from the machine using a pair of pliers. You can pack them separately.

Packing the Washing Machine

Once the hoses are disconnected, you can start actually packing the washing machine for the move. You'll want to secure the door and the plug of the washing machine using packing tape, and then wrap the entirety of the machine in at least two layers of moving blankets or another form of cushioning. It's then ready to be moved: professional movers, like those at United Moving and Storage, can take care of loading it into the moving truck for you. But if you're doing it yourself, be sure to use a dolly and have at least one other person (but preferably two) move the washing machine into the moving truck, and then secure it in place using straps or ropes so it won't shift during transit.


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