long-distance moves - how to pack your belongings

Tips For Safely Moving Appliances

When it comes to moving, moving your appliances will be on your list. These could be your larger items, like fridges and freezers, or you may worry about moving your microwave, coffee machine, and halogen oven. Just how can you move them to avoid injury and breakages? Here are four tips to help.

Allow a Complete Defrost

When moving your fridge and freezer, make sure you allow them to defrost completely before the move. Having melting ice or backed up water will just lead to spillages and accidents. You'll also need to empty the drip pan of the dryer and ensure the washing machine is completely drained of water.

Tip and Slide

When it comes to the larger items, make sure you get them on their side. This is especially important for the likes of fridges, which tend to be much larger than a person. Squarer items like dishwashers and ovens can be left upright.

When getting them through rooms and out of doors, slide as much as possible. Put the items on a blanket and pull them through rooms. This will help to avoid damage to carpets while putting less strain on your back. You'll also avoid accidentally dropping things on your feet.

Wrap Up in Blankets

Protect your walls and doors by wrapping up the items you're moving in blankets. This will also help to avoid doors on the appliances accidentally opening, leading to potential injuries. When you do get the items to the new place, you'll need to open the doors of fridges, washing machines, and similar items to avoid mold growth and smells.

Invest in furniture blankets where possible. These are specifically designed to protect belongings and can give you some extra grip when carrying larger items. They're also beneficial for wrapping the smaller appliances up to protect them from damage.

If you can't invest in moving blankets, you can use your own blankets at home. Bubble wrap is also an excellent option.

Balance the Weights

When moving something with two people, don't try to grab from the same side. One needs to grab from the bottom and the other from the top. Balancing the weight helps to prevent slips and injuries.

When you lift from the bottom, always bend with the knees and lift from your legs. Invest in straps to help take on some of the weight and protect your back.

Take your time to move the appliances out of your home. Wrap your smaller ones in blankets and bubble wrap, and make sure you lift the larger ones in the right way to avoid damage to your back. For more information, contact local professionals like Mountain Moving Systems.