In the process of moving, first start by eating what you have in the refrigerator and freezer as opposed to buying new food. You’ll slowly start emptying it that way. The day before the move, empty the refrigerator of all its contents. If there are any perishable items still left, either place them in a portable cooler, or give them away. It’s important to make sure that both the refrigerator and the freezer are completely empty. Remove any items that are on the outside of the fridge, I.e.: reminder lists, pictures and magnets. Now it’s time to remove the shelves, trays, and other loose items. Wrap them in towels to keep them safe from damage and label them for reference. If you don’t want to remove them, secure them in place with tape instead. Unplug the refrigerator, switch off the power supply and wrap the power cord tightly. If your refrigerator has an ice maker, disconnect it from the water source. Defrost both the fridge and the freezer. Typically, the process will take about 6 to 8 hours, so it’s best to do this the evening before, to make sure you give this process enough time. In the morning, you can wipe the inside of the fridge so you it’s clean when you place it your new kitchen. The next step is to fasten the refrigerator and the freezer doors shut, using strong rope or bungee cord. In case your refrigerator has double-doors, tie the door handles together as well. Don’t use tape to close them. Tape can damage the finish of the refrigerator or leave that residue we all know is very hard to remove. If the move will take longer than a day, we recommend you keep the fridge doors slightly open to allow for ventilation, which in turn will prevent mold or mildew from growing inside. Since most refrigerators are expensive, you should carefully consider the equipment used in moving. One of the best things to use is a refrigerator dolly. You can tie the refrigerator to the dolly with moving straps. If you’re not hiring movers, ask at least 2 strong friends to help you move and try to minimize any tilting. The safest thing to do is to maintain the fridge in its upright position. This will help any oil in the compressor from seeping into the cooling tubes. Never move the fridge on its side or back. If moving the fridge down the stairs, go down one step at a time. Have one or two people in front of the dolly and another one in the back, holding the dolly handles. Once you’re in the new home, allow the refrigerator to sit for at least 2 hours before plugging it back in. This time will allow for any oils and fluids to go back into the compressor, and prevent any damage to the appliance. For more moving tips, storage-organizing-and DIY ideas, please ‘LIKE’ us on Facebook and join the community, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Looking out for you and your refrigerator, US Storage Centers
