How to Move Appliances and Electronics Safely

Appliances and electronics are heavy, awkward and easy to damage in ways you don't see until they're plugged back in — a compressor full of displaced oil, a washer drum that slammed its suspension, a TV panel flexed on the carry. Each needs a little preparation a day or two before the move. Here is what Best Movers LA crews ask customers to do, and what the crew handles on the day.

What this guide covers

• How to move a refrigerator
• How to move a washer and dryer
• How to move a TV and electronics

How to move a refrigerator

A refrigerator is heavy, awkward and full of components that don't like being tipped — get the steps wrong and you can kill the compressor. Done right, it's straightforward. Here's how.

Empty and defrost 24 hours ahead

Empty the fridge and freezer, unplug it, and let it defrost for at least 24 hours before move day so it doesn't leak water in transit. Wipe it dry, and clean it while it's empty — a closed-up dirty fridge gets moldy fast.

Secure doors, shelves and the cord

Remove or tape down glass shelves and drawers so they don't shift and shatter. Tape the doors closed (or use a moving strap), and tape the power cord up out of the way so no one trips on it or rolls over it.

Keep it upright — this is the big one

Move a refrigerator upright, never on its side or back. The compressor holds oil that can run into the cooling lines if the unit is tipped, and that can damage the system. If it absolutely must be tilted to fit through a door, keep the tilt brief and minimal, and stand it upright again immediately.

Wait before plugging it back in

After the move, let the fridge stand upright for several hours before plugging it in (longer if it was tilted at all) so the compressor oil settles back. Plugging in too soon is a common way to damage a fridge that survived the move fine.

Stairs, dollies and LA access

Use an appliance dolly with a strap, and take stairs slowly with two people — the weight stays downhill and one person guides. LA walk-ups and tight kitchens make this the part worth having a crew for. Our movers handle fridges and large appliances as part of a standard move, padded and upright — see our appliance moving and washer & dryer guide.

How to move a washer and dryer

Washers and dryers are heavy, plumbed-in and easy to damage if you skip a step — and a washer moved without its transit bolts can wreck its own drum. Here's how to disconnect and move them the right way.

Disconnect the washer

Turn off the hot and cold water valves, then disconnect the supply hoses (have a towel and bucket — water sits in the lines). Drain the hoses and the pump, and run a quick spin cycle empty to clear remaining water so it doesn't leak in the truck. Unplug the unit and coil the cord.

Install the transit bolts — this is the big one

Front-load washers ship with shipping (transit) bolts that lock the drum in place. If you removed them at install and didn't keep them, the drum swings freely and road vibration can damage the suspension and bearings. Reinstall them before moving (order replacements if lost). Top-loaders are more forgiving but still benefit from a snug, padded load.

The dryer — and the gas safety note

For an electric dryer, unplug it, disconnect and clean the vent hose. For a gas dryer, the gas line must be shut off and capped by a qualified, licensed plumber or gas technician — disconnecting a gas line yourself is a real hazard and against code in LA. We'll tell you honestly that this needs a pro rather than improvise it. Clean the lint trap and vent while you're at it.

Move them upright and secured

Transport both appliances upright — laying a washer on its side or back can shift the drum and damage components. Strap the doors closed (or leave slightly ajar with the unit secured), pad the corners, and dolly them carefully, especially down LA stairs and walk-ups. Never lay a refrigerator-style appliance flat either.

Reconnect at the new place

Remove the transit bolts before the first wash (a bolted washer will bang violently). Reconnect water with fresh hoses if yours are old, check for leaks on the first cycle, and have a licensed tech reconnect any gas line. Our crews move appliances as part of a standard move, padded and upright — see our appliance moving and local moving details.

How to move a TV and electronics

Electronics are the most expensive items per pound in most homes, and the easiest to damage with one wrong move. A flat-screen cracked in transit isn't a repair — it's a replacement. Here's how to move screens and gear so they arrive working.

Box the TV right

The original box with its foam inserts is ideal — keep it if you can. If it's gone, use a TV moving box (telescoping, with foam corners) or wrap the screen in a moving blanket and sandwich it between two pieces of cardboard, taped, with the screen never touching anything hard. Wrap, don't press: the screen surface is the fragile part.

Keep flat-screens upright

Never lay a flat-screen (LED/LCD/OLED) flat — transport it standing on its edge, the way it hangs on the wall. Lying flat lets the screen flex with road vibration and crack from the center, which no warranty covers. In the truck, stand the TV against a padded wall and strap it so it can't tip.

Photograph and bag the cables

Before you unplug anything, photograph the back of the TV and any A/V receiver so you know exactly what goes where. Coil each cable, label it, and keep all cables, remotes and power bricks in one clearly-marked bag — the "where does this go" puzzle at the new place is what eats an evening.

Computers and components

Back up your data before moving day, always — drives can fail from a bump. Move desktops and consoles upright, ideally in original boxes; for loose components use anti-static bags and plenty of padding, and keep them out of extreme heat (don't leave electronics baking in a parked truck in LA summer). Remove discs and loose media from drives.

High-value items and coverage

Expensive electronics are exactly the items to declare and protect. Carry small, irreplaceable gear (laptops, hard drives) with you in the car, and ask about full-value protection for the rest. Best Movers LA's crews wrap and pad electronics and keep them upright as standard — see our packing services and our guide to moving insurance and coverage.

Frequently asked questions

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