How to Move a Washing Machine and Other Appliances Safely

Published: 24 May 2026 | Reading time: 9 minutes

Large appliances — washing machines, fridges, freezers, dishwashers, and cookers — are among the most commonly damaged items in a house move, and the damage is almost always preventable. Each type of appliance has its own specific preparation steps, and getting them wrong can mean anything from a leaking hose to a genuinely broken compressor. This guide covers exactly how to prepare and transport each major appliance safely.

Washing Machines: Transit Bolts Are Essential

A washing machine's drum is suspended on springs or dampers so it can move slightly during the spin cycle. If you transport a washing machine without fitting transit bolts (also called shipping bolts), the drum can swing violently during transport and cause serious internal damage, sometimes enough to write the machine off entirely. Before moving day:

1. Disconnect the machine from the water supply and mains electricity.
2. Drain any remaining water from the drum and the drain hose into a towel or bucket.
3. Fit the original transit bolts if you kept them, or purchase a replacement set for your model (widely available online for a small cost).
4. Secure the door with tape so it can't swing open in transit.
5. Coil and secure the hoses so they don't drag or get crushed.

If you no longer have the transit bolts and can't source replacements in time, padding the machine heavily and keeping it upright with minimal movement during transport is the next best option, but it's not a substitute for proper bolts on a longer journey.

Fridges and Freezers: The 24-Hour Rule

Fridges and freezers contain a compressor with oil and refrigerant that can shift when the appliance is tilted or laid on its side. Most manufacturers recommend transporting fridges and freezers upright at all times. If an appliance must be laid down briefly to fit through a doorway, it should be stood upright again as soon as possible and then left to stand for at least 24 hours before being switched back on, to allow the oil and refrigerant to settle back into place. Switching it on too soon risks damaging the compressor. Before moving day, defrost and clean the freezer at least 24 hours in advance, empty and clean the fridge, and secure the doors with tape or a strap so they don't swing open during transport.

Dishwashers

Like washing machines, dishwashers need to be disconnected from the water supply and drained before moving. Run a short cycle to clear excess water from the pump, then disconnect the water inlet and drain hoses carefully, keeping a towel handy for any residual water. Secure the door and any loose racks inside with tape, and keep the machine upright throughout transport.

Cookers and Ovens: Gas Safety Comes First

Gas cookers must only ever be disconnected and reconnected by a Gas Safe registered engineer — this isn't optional, it's a legal safety requirement in the UK. Book a Gas Safe engineer well in advance of your move date, since availability can be tight, especially during busy moving periods. Electric cookers are more straightforward: switch off at the isolator or fuse box, disconnect carefully, and clean off any grease or food residue before wrapping and transporting. Always secure the oven door and any loose glass shelves or racks separately, wrapped to prevent breakage.

Tumble Dryers

Tumble dryers are generally simpler to move than washing machines, since they don't have a suspended drum, but vented dryers need their exhaust hose disconnected and drained of any residual moisture, and condenser dryers need their water collection tank emptied before transport. Secure the door with tape and keep the appliance upright.

General Appliance Moving Tips

• Use an appliance trolley (sack truck) rather than carrying large appliances by hand — it protects your back and gives far more control.
• Measure doorways and any tight turns in advance; fridges and washing machines are often the tightest fit of any item in a house move.
• Keep appliances upright wherever physically possible throughout loading, transport, and unloading.
• Protect appliance corners and control panels with blankets or foam padding — these are the parts most likely to get knocked and damaged.
• Load heavy appliances low and secure in the van so they can't shift or tip against other items during transit.

Reconnecting at Your New Property

Once appliances arrive, don't rush to reconnect and switch everything on immediately. Remove transit bolts from the washing machine before its first use — running a cycle with them still fitted can seriously damage the machine. Let fridges and freezers stand for the recommended settling period before switching on. Have your gas cooker reconnected by a Gas Safe engineer, and check that all hoses and electrical connections are secure and undamaged before use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need transit bolts for a washing machine move?
Yes — moving a washing machine without them risks serious internal damage to the drum suspension, which can be an expensive repair or write off the machine entirely.

How long should a fridge stand before being switched on after a move?
At least 24 hours if it has been tilted or laid on its side, to let the compressor oil and refrigerant settle.

Can I disconnect a gas cooker myself to save money?
No — gas appliances must be disconnected and reconnected by a Gas Safe registered engineer for safety and legal compliance.

Should appliances go in the van first or last?
Heavy appliances are generally loaded first and secured low in the van, since they're heaviest and least likely to be damaged by other items stacked appropriately around them.

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Common Appliance Moving Mistakes

The most frequent and costly mistake is forgetting transit bolts on a washing machine, which can turn a routine move into an expensive repair bill. Close behind is switching a fridge or freezer back on immediately after transport, before the compressor oil has had time to settle, which can cause it to run inefficiently or fail early. Carrying large appliances up or down stairs without a proper sack truck or appliance trolley is another common cause of both personal injury and dented, scratched appliance casings. Finally, attempting to disconnect a gas cooker without a Gas Safe registered engineer isn't just risky — it's against UK safety regulations, and any resulting gas leak is a serious hazard.

Booking Engineers and Movers Together

Because gas cooker disconnection needs a Gas Safe engineer and plumbing disconnection for washing machines and dishwashers can also benefit from a professional touch if you're not confident doing it yourself, it's worth coordinating these appointments a few days before your move date rather than leaving them until moving morning. This gives you a buffer if an engineer needs to reschedule, and means your appliances are fully prepped and ready to go the moment your man and van team arrives, rather than holding up the whole move while a cooker gets disconnected on the day.

A Simple Pre-Move Appliance Checklist

Working through appliances a day or two before your move, rather than on the morning itself, avoids a lot of last-minute stress. A practical order to work through is: defrost and empty the freezer first, since this takes the longest; then clean and empty the fridge; disconnect and drain the washing machine and dishwasher, fitting transit bolts to the washer; arrange your Gas Safe engineer visit for the cooker if applicable; and finally do a last check that every appliance door is taped shut and every hose is coiled and secured, ready for the movers to load first thing.

Should You Take Your Appliances at All?

Before going through the effort of disconnecting and transporting large appliances, it's worth checking whether your new property already comes with a washing machine, fridge, or cooker included, particularly in furnished rentals. If it does, moving your own duplicate appliance may not be worth the cost and risk involved, and selling or donating it before you leave your current property can be a more practical option than transporting something you won't end up using.

Taking the time to prepare each appliance properly, rather than rushing through on the morning of the move, is consistently the difference between appliances that work perfectly on arrival and ones that need an expensive repair or replacement within the first few weeks. It's a small amount of extra effort for genuine peace of mind, particularly for appliances that represent a significant cost to replace.

If you're using a professional man and van team, let them know in advance exactly which appliances are being moved and whether any need special handling, such as an integrated dishwasher or a built-in fridge freezer that requires cabinetry to be partially removed first. This kind of detail, shared at the booking stage rather than discovered on the day, helps the team bring the right trolleys and padding and plan the safest route out of the property from the start.