How to Move a Washing Machine
You don’t want to relocate without carrying your washing machine along. Although transporting it may cost you money, but your initial pre-relocation breakdown shows that it is well worth it. The easiest way to move a washing machine is to hire a professional local moving company and let them handle it for you; however, that will cost you more money.
Yet, this is another option – you may decide to move your washing machine by yourself to save some money. Just have it in mind that relocating a washing machine without the help of an experienced moving company is not and will not be an easy task. But it is achievable. If you have the required information about “how to go about it,” moving a washing machine is practicable if you have the time.
We will share all you need to know to get the job done on your own. Hope you have your instructional manual handy? It will help a lot. Let’s start by determining the weight of a washing machine.
How heavy is a Washing Machine?
Relocating a washing machine is tedious work to do, and you will get to understand this when you know the average weight of the machine itself. While the popular medium-sized top loader is 150 pounds in weight, a medium-sized front loader is about 200 – 250 pounds in weight. The machine’s capacity, type, or sizes are the deciding factors of the weight. A lightweight washing machine will give some movement on the floor when it’s being used. Concrete counterweights that weigh 55 pounds upward are being included in the washers to maintain balance and control movement.
Heavyweights – Front-Loaders against Top-Loaders
The popular washer capacity is between 3.9 to 5.1 cubic feet with a common width of 27 inches, regardless of where the machine opens, whether in the front or on top. You can compare several fronts and top-loading styles with a median point of 4.5 cubic feet or any size of your choice.
Typical Top Loader Models
- LG WT4970CW – 147 pounds
- Samsung WA45H7000AW – 126 pounds
- LG WM4270HVA – 200 pounds
- GE GTAN2800DWW – 155 pounds
- GE GFWS2600FWW – 243 pounds
Typical Front Loader Models
- Whirlpool WFW95HEDC – 244 pounds
You will observe that top loaders are not as heavy as front-loader washers. This may be due to the less usage of water by the front-loading machines, which calls for the need to add a counterweight to control movement and maintain balance during moving. Kindly note as you are worried about the weight, the washer’s weight increases when filled with water. You can refer to the machine’s manufacturer’s specification to determine its weight.
Moving a Washing Machine
Regardless of your type of washing machine, there are many things you have to do to prepare for its move from one place to another. Carefully follow the tips below, as they are vital to moving your washing machine. Should you skip or miss any step from the to-do list, the entire washing machine move may be rendered impossible based on how crucial the missed step is.
Below is how to prepare to move a washing machine before the moving day:
Read Owner’s Manuals and Warranty Information
Search your house for the owner’s manual of your washer. It will be required, so you can read what the manufacturers recommended when moving the washing machine. If your copy of the manual is nowhere to be found, do a Google search of the particular brand, the model, and put the manual at the extreme. Should that not work as well then contact the place where you bought the washer for help. Kindly note that reading the owner’s manual is a recommended procedure.
Get the Necessary Relocation Equipment and Supplies
It is more important to use the appropriate equipment when relocating a washing machine. Equipment like appliance dolly, moving blankets, pliers, a vacuum cleaner, wrench, packing tape, gloves, washing machine cleaners, and moving straps.
Enlist Helping Hands
Considering the weight and size of the washing machine as discussed above, it is not advisable to do it alone as it is a tedious and backbreaking task. Although it is tagged a do-it-yourself move, you are not expected to do the heavy lifting all by yourself, just that you don’t want to hire a professional moving company for the task due to the cost involved. You are most certainly going to need help moving the washing machine from one house to another.
Doorways and Stairways are to be measured
Make sure all the doorways and stairways through which the machine will be conveyed while bringing it out are properly measured. You will want to know if the appliances will fit through the openings without much stress before you begin the process. If it doesn’t, you will have to come up with another idea of how to move it out of your home.
Locate the Washing Machine Transit Bolts
There are shipping bolts on the washing machine which are metallic rods placed in the machine to lock the drum and stop it from moving during the transition. You cannot move the washing machine without installing its transit bolts, as doing this will only bring damage to the drum suspension mechanism of the machine due to the vibrations on the road. Locate the shipping bolts of your washing machine or locate the best home appliance store in your area for help if you cannot find the metal rods.
Make sure you clean the Washer
You won’t want to have a dirty washing machine in your new home. We advise that you clean out both appliances before you move it. Doing so will not only enhance the safety and efficiency of the machines; it will also prevent bad odors. Make sure you use a tablet or formula designed specifically for cleaning a washing machine. A typical example is a fresh or other related formula designed to remove dirt and residue stored up inside your washing machine. Start the washer with the tablet inside. After this process, open the washer door and leave it for a day to fully dry and allows for fresh air in the interior. Empty the lint trap to clean your dryer, and use a brush or vacuum to clean it out.
Getting your Washing Machine Ready for Relocation
It is generally known that you have to defrost a refrigerator before you can move it. Just like the refrigerator, regardless of the brands or models, moving a washing machine from one place to another involves more serious and careful preparation.
Below are the steps to preparing your washing machine for the move:
Step 1: Empty the washer of any clothes
Moving washing machine with clothes is not advisable considering the added weight of the clothes which may be soaked with water. Although this step can be overlooked, you may be surprised at what you will find in the machine.
Step 2: Clean out the drum thoroughly
You may find some stored-up detergent that you’ve been using to wash your clothes when you take a careful look at the drum. You can either use the pre-set clean cycle to clean the drum from any stored detergent or run a short wash cycle with only water. The drain lines of your washer will also be cleaned out by doing this.
Step 3: Dry out the drum perfectly
Leave the door of your washing machine open for a day after cleaning out the drum so it can dry if you still have enough time before the relocation day. You can use a clean, dry cloth to dry off any excess water on the drum if you do not have much time.
Step 4: Turn off the power supply
Disconnect the power before you handle your home appliance to avoid electric shock. Disengage the washer from the power supply by unplugging it from the wall socket.
Step 5: Shut off the water supply
You can now turn off the water supply once you have disengaged the washing machine from the electric supply. To disconnect your washing machine from the water supply, locate the local water valve and turn it clockwise. The stop valve can be located behind the machine unit. Be more careful, so you don’t disconnect any of the water drain lines when locating the water valve.
Step 6: Empty the hoses
It is almost certain that there will be water left in the hoses.
Step 7: Remove and pack the hoses
After drying out the water from the hoses, you can then go ahead to remove and pack the hoses in one place, preparing the washer for the move. Disconnect the hoses from the washer by using the pliers. Pack the hoses in a big plastic bag and place them in moving boxes, then mark that box washer’s accessories.
Step 8: Empty the drain hose of the washing machine
A drain hose should be present on your washing machine as it channels all the dirty water into the wastewater canal. Trace the drain hose to its discharge point and then disconnect from there and safely connect it to the back of your washer. There should be a special bracket on the washing machine that will hold the drain hose. Secure the hose with a moving tape to avoid tripping accidents as you move the washer with a dolly.
Step 9: Install the transit bolts in the washing machine
Even though you can transport a washing machine without transit bolts, it is advisable not to try it. The transit bolts help to hold the washer drum firmly and locked in one position, so it won’t get damaged during the transition. The suspension mechanism of your washer may get damaged without these shipping bolts, and the cost for repairing it may be the same as buying a new washing machine.
Step 10: Enlist as much help as you can
Making sure your friends or other helpers are available to offer you a hand when you are ready is the last preparation when moving a washing machine from one place to another. You must have like two people to help you move your washing machine.
Can Two People lift a Washing Machine?
You will require the help of three people to lift your washer onto a moving truck and also to complete the installation in your new home. You could end up breaking your back if you decide to do the lifting by yourself. The drum in a washer has a huge weight, and the machine’s size also requires at least two people to lift it while the 3rd person will help with the truck.
Steps for Lifting Washing Machine
Step 1
Leave the door of the washer opened and have someone on the left and another person on the right side of the washing machine.
Step 2
Carefully handle the front of the washer. Both people should place one hand each in the washer and press it against the top. The other hands should be placed behind the machine, and their legs bend to get into a balanced position.
Step 3
Lift the washer straight up with legs and not arms or back. This will help reduce the stress on your back.
Step 4
Tell the 3rd person to slide and centralize the base under the washer
Step 5
Gently release the washer onto the base and make sure it stays at the center.
Will a Washing Machine fits into my Car?
It is most likely that your washer will not perfectly fit in your car. Most especially, if it is an upright model, which is usually common, it is highly recommended that you hire professional couriers in this case. When you opt for courier service, the driver will handle the lifting of the washing machine and placing it in the right position; none of which will be required by you. The delicate components of the washing machine could get damaged if you or your driver runs into many bumps without avoiding them. Unload the washing machine gently and with the utmost care when you arrive at your new home and have it wheeled to its new position.
Can a Washing Machine be laid on its Back for Transport?
Although washers appear to be bulky in the outside part, the interior is much delicate and can be easily damaged if handled roughly. Issues like damaged suspension, knocking of washing machine out of alignment, and loose pads may result from laying your washing machine on its side, as the inner and outer tubs may bump against each other. This same issue may occur if you try to move a washer on its back, so it is advisable not to try either of them while moving a washing machine.
Transporting a washing machine in an upright position is the best and safest way to move it. You will need a dolly to get your washer off the ground and through many hurdles such as stairs or loading inside a moving truck due to its odd shape and height. Use strong ropes or packing tape to secure your washing machine to the dolly for more safety. Wrap your washing machine in moving blankets when you are ready to load it into a moving truck to prevent scratches, dents or dings while in transit.
Conclusion
Kindly note that moving a washing machine is not an easy task and such must be taken with uttermost seriousness. If you fail to handle the task with seriousness and carefulness, then you should expect damages to the washing machine and injuries to yourself, as it would be inevitable. If you are therefore not sure you can pull this off by yourself, then you are better off hiring a professional moving company with enough experience to handle the move for you. Stay tuned for more informative posts!
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