• December 2, 2019
  • Bill Chen

Last updated on October 30, 2023

Are you moving home soon? You might be looking for removalists on Sydney’s North Shore or Inner West. Are you wondering what to do about your big-ticket appliances? Have you got a plan of attack for how to prepare your appliances for such a big move? 

If not, you could be heading for trouble. Moving house has been consistently ranked as one of the most stressful things you will do in your life, along with assembling flat-pack furniture… you can mitigate your stress by considering these 10 tips to prepare your major appliances. 

1. Use an Upright Trolley/Fridge Trolley: 

This is an L-shaped frame trolley with at least 2 wheels, also known as an upright trolley or fridge trolley. With one of these trolleys, you can easily maneuver those big and heavy appliances. Some even have wheels so that you can navigate pesky stairs with ease! Most hire vans will come with one, or they can be purchased for between $60-$120. This tool is especially useful for fridge removals.

2. Tape the Plug and Cable to the side of the appliance: 

This is a massive life hack when moving. Many accidents come from a loose cable. Get some of your packaging tapes from your boxes and tape the cable to the side of your fridge or washing machine. You might also want to think about how to pack dishes and glasses when moving.

3. Tape all doors/ lids down: 

Similar to the cables, make sure no doors or lids can open mid-moving. Make sure they are fully secured as you don’t want these flying open as you try to squeeze through the doorway!

4. Measure doorways and appliances:

This is especially useful to know which way your big appliances will fit through your doorways, front door, and stairs/ elevator. There’s nothing worse than getting stuck halfway through moving and having no idea how to squeeze through to the van!

5. Plan your Move: 

It always helps to have a plan of action when moving appliances. Decide which appliances will be moved first, and this means you can ensure they are ready to go. 

6. Make sure the route from the appliance to your front door is clear and wide enough: 

This is important to reduce potential trip hazards on the way to the removal van; this is especially important as it will be very hard to move boxes and things out of the way once you start lifting your appliance!

7. Check where the handles are: 

Many appliances, such as washing machines, are made with small handle areas to assist with your lifting. It’s good to know where they are in advance, so you can quickly lift and go.

8. Lift as a Team:

This one should go without saying, really, but we’ll say it anyway. Make sure if you are moving any appliance that you don’t do it by yourself, even with a trolley as we mentioned earlier. This is the fastest way to break your appliance or your back. 

9. Unplug Your Appliances in Advance: 

This is one that mostly applies to older appliances, but can be applied to newer ones too. If you’re moving a fridge, it’s going to help if it hasn’t been on for a couple of hours or so. Likewise, a washing machine. This is because of the heat or residual electricity in the machine. 

10. Drain any water from your washing machine:

You don’t want any dirty or smelly water splashing out in the back of your car/ van or all over you during moving! 

Bonus tip

If you follow these steps, moving your appliances will seem like a breeze! While you’re here, let me give you a quick bonus tip for once you get your appliances to the new place: if you have an older fridge, and it was placed on its side for moving, don’t turn it back on for the same amount of time that it was on its side for, and make sure your water hose is tightened fully on both the tap AND your washing machine before turning it on again! 

Whether you’re searching for the top removalists on Sydney’s North Shore or need efficient removalists in the Western suburbs or anywhere else, these tips will come in handy. And if you’re looking for a reliable removalist company, consider Bill Removalists. Happy moving!

Bill Chen

About The Author

Bill Chen

Before 2008, Bill was working with a local removalist company in Sydney and was witness for a number of deformities and wrongs in the working of the company. Observing the atmosphere, a thought came to Bill’s mind that he could do much better if he were the owner of the company, by offering a fully transparent service to the clients with a friendly and trustworthy staff and no hidden fee structure; and thus, in 2008, AAA Bill Removalists Sydney was formed with just one truck and only Bill as staff. Even if Bill Chen began the company as just one man, the company grew fast. The operation expanded beyond the Sydney suburbs and to the surrounding cities: Wollongong, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, Canberra, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane, and other.


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