How to Move a Washing Machine Without Getting in a Spin

Assuming you have the mindset and physical ability, bearing in mind that a washing machine weighs about 80kg, how hard is it to move a washing machine to your new home?

Let’s find out in this step-by-step guide how to prepare, pack, move, and transport your washing machine.

Note: Before attempting to move a washing machine or any kitchen appliance, always refer to your manufacturer’s handbook for your particular model.

If you have misplaced your washing machine user manual you should be able to find an online copy at www.espares.co.uk

And above all else bear in mind that moving a washing machine is not easy, they are heavy and awkward.

Your health and safety should always be your first consideration.

What Equipment Do You Need to Move a Washing Machine?

To safely move a washing machine you will need the following equipment:

• Gloves with a good grip

Safety capped footwear

Old towel

Bucket

Cling film

Small plastic bags for keeping small parts from being lost

Adjustable Spanner

Thick blankets

Packing tape

Floor sliders

Furniture dolly

Shoulder dolly (lifting straps)

Stair climbing trolley

Securing rope or straps

Can one person move a washing machine? To move it safely, no, so get a reliable friend to help you.

You may also like to read: How to Pack a Kitchen When Moving Home: The Ultimate Guide. From cookbooks to pots and pans this guide will tell you everything you need to know about safely and easily packing and moving your kitchen to your new home.

How to Drain a Washing Machine for Moving

• Have a bucket handy to drain the water supply hoses into
• Lay an old towel on the floor to catch any spilled water
• Disconnect the power supply and unplug the machine
• Turn off the water supply valves
• Disconnect each water supply hose and drain any excess water into the bucket
• Take care that the rubber washers within the supply hose connections do not get lost. Sealing plastic bags over the connections will prevent them from getting lost.
• Place the supply hoses into the drum of the machine after wrapping them in old towels or blankets so that they do not get misplaced or damaged.
• Do not disconnect the water drain hose from the machine but empty any excess water into the bucket.
• Tape or secure the water drain hose in an upright position on the rear of the machine.

You may also like to read: Hot Tips on How to Move an Oven To Your New Home. If you are planning on moving your oven, be it a Rangemaster or a hob, this guide tells you all you need to know about relocating it to your new home.

How to Prepare a Washing Machine for a Home Move

• After draining the washing machine leave the door open for 24 hours to allow the drum to dry
• Thoroughly clean the machine inside and out paying particular attention to the rubber door seal which often can hold a residue amount of water.
• Install washer drum locks (usually on the rear of the washing machine). If you have misplaced the bolts they can usually be purchased from the manufacturer. Note that the shipping bolts must be secured in place to prevent damage to the washing machine when it is moved. Do not move a washing machine without the drum securing bolts in place.
• Secure the power cable so that you do not trip over it when moving the machine.
• Cling wrapping the entire circumference of the machine will prevent the door from opening and will hold the power cable and drain hose securely in place.
• Wrap the entire machine in thick blankets to prevent any damage when it is being moved.
• Securely tape the blankets in position.
• Position floor sliders under the feet of the machine to help slide the machine out
• Your washing machine is now ready to be moved to your new home.

You may also like to read: How to Move a Refrigerator by Yourself. In this guide, we explain how to pack and move a fridge or freezer to your new home.

How to Move a Washing Machine with a Dolly

• You can usually rent a furniture dolly from your local hire shop for about £25 a day.

With help from a friend, tip the washing machine backward to allow the furniture dolly to slip under the washing machine.

Slowly lower the machine onto the dolly and secure in place with loading straps or rope.

Ensure the route to the removal van is clear of tripping hazards

Ease the dolly down any steps with the help of your assistant

Use a tail-lift or ramp to move the washing machine into the rear of the van

Secure the washing machine as close to the load bearing axle as possible and secure in an upright position so that it cannot move whilst in transit.

You may also like to read How to Move Heavy and Large Furniture. From packing to safe lifting techniques, this is an invaluable guide if you plan on moving heavy and large things without hiring the services of a removal company.

How to Move a Washing Machine Using Straps (Shoulder Dolly)

• Shoulder Dolly’s can be purchased for about £25 online
• You will need the help of a friend when using a shoulder dolly
• Ensure the route to the removal van is clear of tripping hazards
• Tip the washing machine to slide the straps under the washing machine.
• Secure the straps to each of the shoulder harnesses
• Be sure to bend your knees when lifting to take the strain of the weight
• Walk slowly taking regular stops as you need them.

How to Move a Washing Machine Down Stairs

• A handbarrow (also called a sack truck) can be hired for about £20 a day
• With the help of a friend tip the washing machine and slide the bed of the hand truck under the washing machine.
• Secure the washing machine to the hand truck with rope or industrial cling film to hold it firmly in place.
• Ensure the way to the removal van is clear of tripping hazards
• When you have to go down the stairs, tip the trolley back towards you using your body to support the weight of the washing machine.
• The helper should go down the stairs in front of you to guide you and support the machine.
• Slowly move down the stairs leaning backward to take the weight of the washing machine.
• Take rest stops as you need them and to ensure the washing machine is still secure on the trolley.
• Note: It is extremely dangerous to move a washing machine downstairs and if in any doubt whatsoever hire a removal company to move it for you.

How to Move a Washing Machine Up Stairs

• Step climbing Trolleys can be hired for around £20 a day
• Load the washer onto the trolley with the help of a friend.
• Using industrial-grade cling film or straps secure the washing machine to the trolley
• Pull the trolley up the stairs one at a time with your helper one step below and in front of the trolley to help guide and push the washing machine.
• Take it slowly and rest as needed.
• Note that it is extremely dangerous to move a washing machine up stairs and if you are unsure of your ability to do it safely always hire a removal company to do it for you.

Frequently asked questions: Can you lay a washing machine down to move it? A washing machine should always be transported upright as laying a washing machine on its side can cause the drum to drop out of alignment.

How to Set Up A Washing Machine in Your New Home

• Important: Remember to remove the transit bolts before using the machine

Ensure the washing machine is level using the levelling feet

Make sure the washers are correctly seated in the water valve connections before reconnecting. You may consider replacing the hoses and connections if they are old or damaged.

Reconnect the drain hose ensuring there are no kinks in the pipe.

Plug back into the electricity ensuring that the plug and cable are in good condition before doing so.

Run a test cycle with detergent to make sure everything is working OK and to clean through the machine.

Top tip: If you have to store the washing machine in a garage or outhouse during the winter, whilst you are doing home improvements, for example, you can prevent the pipes and water pump from freeze damage by pouring car winter windscreen cleaner (with a minus 30 rating) into the water drainage hose. It will run back into the machine and protect it from freezing water damage.

Be sure to run a wash cycle before using the washing machine again to clean any residue from inside the machine.

You may also like to know: How to Create a Floor Plan for Moving Home. Creating a floor plan of your new home is often overlooked and then come moving day you discover that half your furniture won’t fit where you thought or cannot even get through the doorways. In this guide, we show you how to create a simple floor plan so that this moving mistake does not happen to you.

The Best Way to Move Heavy and Large Kitchen Appliances

The best way to move heavy and large kitchen appliances is to leave it to the professionals.

A removal company will have the skills and equipment required to safely move your kitchen appliances to your new home.

You may also like to read: What is a full-service removal company? In this guide, we explain exactly what a full-service removal company does, what services they offer, the average cost to hire a removal firm, and why in most cases it makes sense to leave the hard work to the professionals.

If you are in any doubt as to your physical ability to move such large items then do not attempt to move them yourself.

You will no doubt have noticed that the costs of the equipment you may need to hire to move your washing machine will soon add up.

Add into that the effort, inconvenience, and risks involved in moving a washing machine yourself, and hiring the services of a professional removal firm seems to make more and more sense.

To find out just what good value a full-service removal company can be you should seek to get about 3-4 cost estimates from reputable removal companies.

Get a home removal company price cost estimate for free

You will then be able to make a more informed decision as to whether the risk of damage to property, washing machine, or you are worth saving a few pounds for.

You might like to read: Moving Home Yourself vs. Hiring a Removal Company. In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of moving yourself versus hiring a removal company.

Good luck and stay safe.