Moving A Washing Machine: Step by Step Guide

Moving a Washing Machine Steps

There comes a time when we’re all faced with the prospect of moving a heavy appliance – one of the most difficult of which is moving a washing machine.

Knowing how to move a washing machine is pretty important to make sure that it doesn’t get damaged, and nobody gets injured.

While the best way to go about it is to hire a professional mover to handle it for you, it is possible to do it yourself. By following these tips in this moving guide, you’ll be able to move a washing machine safely and with relative ease.

Contents

• Step 1: Empty the machine and clean the inside
• Step 2: Turn off water, power and unplug
• Step 3: Unfasten the Water Supply Hose and Detach the Valves
• Step 4: Install the transit bolts
• Step 5: Load it onto the dolly
• Step 6: Load and secure into your vehicle
• Step 7: Check it out
• How to Move a Washing Machine Without Shipping Bolts
• Equipment Needed To Move A Washing Machine
• Key Things To Remember When Moving Your Washing Machine
• Ready To Move Your Washing Machine To Your New Home? ZOOM Is Here To Help

Step 1: Empty the machine and clean the inside

It’s a good idea to clean your washing machine before relocating it. Running an empty wash on the hottest cycle is the best method to clean your washing machine.

Use a cleaning agent like bleach or white vinegar instead of your standard laundry detergent or powder to ensure a deeper clean.

Then, once done, open the door and let it dry for 24 hours.

Step 2: Turn off water, power and unplug

Once the machine is clean and dry, go ahead and switch off the water supply by rotating the supply valves.

After you’ve finished, go to your building’s electric panel and turn off the electricity to your machine, allowing you to securely unhook your machine’s power source.

Step 3: Unfasten the Water Supply Hose and Detach the Valves

Once the water and power supplies are off, the water supply hose can be disconnected from the exterior valve, which is usually found on the wall behind your machine.

Before disconnecting the water valves attached to your machine, be sure you unhook the wall valves. You’ll need to turn the hose fitting anti-clockwise in both cases.

If the fitting is excessively tight, a pair of slip-joint pliers will do the task.

Keep a bucket and some rags nearby before you move a washing machine, as some water may come out after disconnecting.

Step 4: Install the transit bolts

Washing machine transit bolts are an essential piece of equipment for safely transporting your washing machine.

A washing machine is a complicated machine with a lot of moving parts, including the drum suspension that spins when in use.

Installing the transit bolts on your washing machine will stabilize the drum, preventing damage to the suspension and other parts.

Washing machine transit bolts have different installation instructions depending on the unit. As a result, we suggest checking your installation manual for assistance with this step.

Once you’ve completed your move, remember to remove the bolts before turning the machine back on.

Step 5: Load it onto the dolly

Now that your transit bolts are securely in place, it’s time for loading.

Before covering your machine in protective wrapping, we recommend you place your water supply hoses and drain hoses inside the washer drum so they don’t get misplaced during your relocation.

It’s also a good idea to do a final wipe down. Work as a team help to avoid injury or damage and start to load.

Start by moving your washer away from the wall when you’re ready to go on.

When you have enough space, slowly tip the washer backwards until you can slip your dolly beneath. Use straps to secure the machine and then carefully take it to your vehicle.

Step 6: Load and secure into your vehicle

We recommend securing your machine in place once you’ve securely loaded it onto your trailer or moving van to reduce the amount of abrupt movement your machine is subjected to. This is the most effective approach to safeguard your equipment from harm while in transportation.

Step 7: Check it out

Once you have your machine in its new home, reconnect all the power and water, turn the valves and let it have a test run. Always check that you have removed the transit bolts and anything else used to keep the drum from moving.

How to Move a Washing Machine Without Shipping Bolts

It takes a lot of care and attention to move a front load washer without shipping bolts. You must compensate for the lack of shipping bolts by keeping the drum upright and secure.

Shipping bolts are required because they protect the drum during the transfer of a washer. A washing machine’s suspension might be damaged by movement, causing it to malfunction. If you don’t use shipping bolts to transfer a washer, you’ll need to cushion the drum with something like a furniture blanket to keep it from moving.

• Before you can transfer your front-load washer safely, you must empty it. Turn the washer off, disconnect it from the outlet, and tape the cable to the top of the machine. Slide the washer away from the wall with care, inspecting the drain hose and water supply on the rear.
• If you can’t attach shipping bolts, place blankets in the washing machine drum to make up for it. When it comes to minimizing movement while the washing machine is in transit, furniture blankets are your best choice. Place the blankets inside the washing drum so that they hug all of the walls and there is no wriggle room. You can see how durable the blankets are by shaking the washing machine and watching how much leeway they offer.
• To carry the washer safely, set it on a dolly or hand truck, making sure that it is straight and upright. Slanting or tilting the washing machine can cause the drum to bounce around, potentially damaging it.
• Make sure the power cable and water hoses are taped to the rear of the washer before putting it on the dolly. Stop if you hear the drum thrashing around and double-check that the blankets are in place.
• Then, follow the steps, as usual, taking care when transporting and reconnecting everything.

Equipment Needed To Move A Washing Machine

• Dolly
• A wrench/Pliers
• A bucket
• Packing tape.
• Moving Straps For Your Dolly
• Moving Blankets
• Shipping Bolts

Key Things To Remember When Moving Your Washing Machine

Whether you have a front-loading or top-loading washing machine, there are a few things you should do to prepare for the tasks involved in transporting a washing machine from one home to another.

Here’s how to get the groundwork right:

1)Enlist help

If you want to leave the movers out of it, you still won’t be able to move a washing machine yourself. Enlist the help of a few strong friends or family members to assist you, otherwise, you run a pretty serious risk of injury to yourself or damage to the machine.

2)Check the instruction manual

Check whether you have a copy of your washing machine’s instruction manual, as this may have some tips or instructions specific to your particular model.  If you can’t find it, give the model number a Google or find the contact details of the manufacturer. This step is not strictly essential but there may be some certain details that can be helpful.

3)Prepare the transit bolts

The transport bolts (also known as shipment bolts) are metal rods put into slots within the washing machine to keep the drum stable and steady when the machine is being transported. Excessive vibration or abrupt jerky motions might cause serious damage to the drum suspension systems.

It’s not recommended to transport your washing machine without using transit bolts, but if you still want to do so, there’s a quick guide on that further down this article.

IF you’re not sure about where your bolts are or how to secure them, check your manufacturer’s manual or do some online research. Odds are there are plenty of instructional videos to see.

4)Get a Dolly

To get your washing machine out of your house and onto a moving truck, you’ll need a Dolly.

There’s no getting past the fact that washing machines are both enormous and heavy, so having a rolling cart is essential.

Large front-loading washers weigh 160-230 pounds, medium front-loading washers are 180 pounds, and tiny front-loaders 140 pounds.

You can either rent one from a local store or buy your own – which can be used again and again for any heavy objects in a future move.

Ready To Move Your Washing Machine To Your New Home? ZOOM Is Here To Help

As you can see, moving a washing machine is no small task. Instead, why not let ZOOM Removalists Sydney do it for you!

We have all the necessary equipment to make sure it makes the journey with no damage at all, plus you don’t need to go through all the effort of heavy lifting, getting a dolly and sorting out the transport bolts.

If you want to move a washing machine or any other large and heavy appliance, just give us a call.

Washing Machine Storage

Not ready to move your washing machine? Keep your valuable appliances in top condition by storing your items with ZOOM Removal Storage. Convenient, Secure and Cheap.

With up To 45% LESS than comparable self-storage costs,

We also offer a number of other moving services to suit every move.

• Fragile Removals
• Small Removals
• Free Moving Boxes
• Last Minute Removals
• Interstate Removals
• Local Moves Around Sydney
• End Of Lease Cleaning
• Man And A Van
• Interstate Removals
• Backloading

Other Handy Tips

For more tips on getting ready for a move, read our helpful articles 

• • Moving During COVID-19
  • Preparing Your Kids For a Move
  • Ultimate End of Lease Cleaning Checklist
  • Change of Address Checklist
  • Interstate Moving Costs