Learn how to safely move your washing machine with this guide. I’ll cover which tools are required, safety tips, and how to protect your machine, with my own firsthand tips throughout to help you.
| • Skill Level: Intermediate • Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours • Cost: $30 to $300 depending on if you DIY or hire professionals |
What You’ll Need to Move Your Washer
Get everything you need ready before you start to help the move go more smoothly:
- Appliance dolly with straps: An appliance dolly is essential for safely moving your washing machine.
You can rent an appliance dolly from home improvement stores and moving companies for around $30 a day — prices vary by location, specials, and rental duration. Reserve in advance and verify the dolly’s weight capacity. - Moving blankets: Also known as furniture pads, these protect the machine from scratches and dents during transport. You can often rent them from moving supply stores for about $5 a day.
- Work gloves: Heavy-duty pair to protect your hands. Metal is unforgiving and doorways are narrow. Save your knuckles and wear the gloves.
- Basic tool kit: Adjustable wrench or pliers, screwdriver (Phillips or flathead depending on your setup), and a level.
- Another person: This is a two-person job, and you shouldn’t move a washer by yourself. Washing machines are bulky, can weigh between 150 to 230 pounds, and are difficult to maneuver on your own, so grab a friend or family member to help.
My Tip: While moving my washing machine, I thought work gloves would be too bulky. Two busted knuckles against a doorframe quickly changed my mind. I kept the gloves on and watched what I was doing. Both my hands and the machine survived the rest of the move.
Pre-Move Planning
Use these pre-move planning tips to protect your appliance and your sanity while making the moving process a little easier.
- Plan your route: Map out the entire moving path beforehand, keeping in mind turns and tight spaces.
If you’re moving a washer up or down stairs, it’s best to hire professional movers. They have specialized equipment that can safely move them. - Take measurements: Measure between doorways, stair rails, and hallway walls to ensure your washing machine will fit going through.
- Remove obstacles: Take the time to completely clear your path of anything that can get in your way or snag on the machine.
- Secure transportation: Hatchbacks are not recommended. You’ll need a pickup truck or moving van with tie-downs to secure your washer upright. Never move a washer lying down, as it can damage the internal components like the drum.
Safety Guidelines
Protect yourself and your property by following these basic safety steps:
- Electrical safety: Turn off the power at the breaker box and unplug the machine.
- Proper lifting: Have help and use proper lifting techniques. Bend at the knees (not the waist), keep your back straight, and lift with your leg muscles while holding the machine close to your body.
- Slip prevention: Keep towels handy to quickly clean up water to avoid slipping.
- Personal protection: Closed-toe shoes are necessary. Steel-toed shoes will better protect your little piggies.
- Equipment check: Inspect the dolly and straps to make sure they are ready to go and not damaged.
How to Move a Washer to a New Home
Follow these step-by-step instructions to move your washing machine safely.
1. Prep Your Washing Machine
- Clean it: Run an empty hot water cycle with a cleaning solution before moving to remove buildup and an extra spin cycle to release extra water.
- Let it dry: Leave the lid or door open for 24 hours to prevent mold and mildew from growing.
My Tip: If you discover mold in your washing machine, follow our step-by-step guide on How to Clean Mold From Your Washing Machine to prevent the problem from spreading to your new home.
2. Disconnect Your Washer
Here are the basic steps. For detailed instructions, see our guide on How to Disconnect a Washing Machine.
- Water supply: Turn off the water valves before disconnecting.
- Hoses: Remove the hoses and drain extra water into a bucket. Secure hoses and power cords with zip ties and place inside the washer.
- Protect ports: Cover all exposed ports with plastic bags to keep dirt out.
My Tip: Use your phone to take pictures of how everything is connected so you can reconnect later.
3. Protect Your Machine
- Shipping bolts: If you still have the shipping bolts for your machine, follow the manual to reinstall them.
- Short-distance moves: If you don’t have shipping bolts for a short move, reduce movement by using blankets or foamboard in between the drum and the casing to stop any movement.
- Long-distance moves: Hire professional movers or pick up a replacement set of shipping bolts. Shipping bolts keep internal parts stable during transport to prevent damage.
- Secure door: Keep the door or lid of your washer from swinging open with moving straps or heavy-duty packing tape.
- Moving blanket: Wrap the entire machine in moving blankets and secure them with straps or heavy-duty tape to protect it from being scratched and dinged.
4. Loading/Unloading a Washing Machine
Grab your helper, and let’s get moving. Here’s how to use a standard dolly to move a washer.
- Position the dolly: With your helper, carefully slide the dolly underneath the washer.
- Secure straps: Fasten straps tightly around the machine’s center of gravity and secure to the dolly.
- Check its balance: Ensure the machine is level and stable on the dolly before moving it.
- Loading safety: Use a sturdy ramp to move the machine on and off the truck.
- Maintain position: Never lay the washing machine on its side. Always keep it standing up straight to avoid breaking it. Make sure to strap it down in the moving truck so it doesn’t move around.
If you hire a moving company, they may use other methods, like stretch plastic wrap, to get the job done.
Moving straps are another option to help you move a washing machine a short distance. It’s still a two-person job, but this may be an easier option depending on your move. Watch this video to see how it’s done.
5. Install Your Washing Machine
Now that you’ve moved your washer to its new home, all you need to do is reconnect everything. See our simple guide — How to Install a Washing Machine — for easy-to-follow steps on connecting water lines, making sure it’s level, and testing that everything works properly.
Steps to Move a Washing Machine a Short Distance
If you just need to move your washer out of the way or into the next room, here are some simple tips for short-distance moves. Remember to have a helper and follow the safety precautions above even for a short move:
How to Pull Out a Washing Machine Temporarily
- Clear your path: Make sure there is nothing in your way to trip on or to hang up the washing machine.
- Protect your floor: Put furniture sliders, a rug, or cardboard under the washing machine’s feet to protect your floor from scratches.
- Disconnect everything: Turn off the electricity and water, and disconnect all connections before moving.
How to Lift a Washing Machine
Washing machines are bulky, awkward, and heavy, weighing between 150 and 230 pounds when empty. Improper lifting techniques can result in serious injuries, so safety matters more than speed when moving these appliances.
- Body position: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, facing the machine’s side.
- Proper form: Keep your back straight, bend at the knees, and grip from the bottom.
- Coordinate with a helper: Count down together and lift at the same time using leg strength.
- Maintain control: Keep the machine close to your body while moving to stay balanced.
FAQs: Moving a Washer
While it is possible to move a washer short distances using furniture sliders or something similar, it’s better to rent a dolly if you’re transporting the machine to a new home. Spending $30 bucks can save you a lot of money on replacing a damaged washing machine and on medical bills from injuries.
When sliding the machine, place furniture sliders or a sturdy rug under its feet to prevent scratches and gouges. You can also lay down plywood sheets or heavy-duty cardboard to keep your floors safe.
If you’ve got a truck and a good friend, then an appliance dolly may run you about $30 a day. Professional movers typically charge between $100 and $300 depending on the distance and how hard it will be to move, i.e., a ground-level house versus a 6th-floor walk-up.
Ready to Get Moving?
Moving a washing machine doesn’t have to be a headache when you follow these steps. But if you’d rather leave it to the pros (and save your knuckles), we’ve got you covered.
Home Gnome can connect you with a trusted local handyman service who will safely move and install your washer. Get your free quote today and let the pros handle the heavy lifting while you focus on settling into your new space.
Note: Home Gnome may get a referral fee for matching you with pros in your area.
Main Image Credit: New Africa / Adobe Stock
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