1. Do your laundry a couple of days
before you're ready to move.
2. Do your best to drain all the water out of the washer.
If possible, take the washer outside and tip it sideways to
empty out any remaining water. Then dry the interior completely
with a towel.
3. Take out all accessories and fittings and put them in
a plastic bag.
4. Stuff towels between the washing machine sides and the
tub to keep the tub from rotating.
5. Fill the basket with clothes, linens, and stuffed
animals (that's rights, stuffed animals). Also include a box of
baking soda (designed so you don't have to tear open the top of
the box) to cut down on mildew.
6. Tape the lid and electrical cord down, then tie a
large pad around the outside. Now you're done!
A dryer
1. Disconnect the exhaust hose from the back of the dryer
and from the exhaust duct in the wall. Loosely roll the hose and
place it in the dryer basket.
2. Tape the lint screen, electrical cord, and dryer door
down.
3. Tie a large pad around the outside of the dryer.
You're done!
A refrigerator
1. One day before moving, empty out the contents of your
refrigerator and allow it to defrost. (Eat what you can, then
give the rest away to neighbors - never transport perishable
food.)
2. Empty the drainage pan underneath and disconnect and
drain out your automatic icemaker.
3. Clean the walls, drawers, and shelves.
4. Some refrigerators have "leveling rollers,"
which are wheels that raise and lower each corner of the
refrigerator so it is even. Check your manual to see whether you
should raise or lower them for the move.
5. Wrap shelves (especially if they are glass) and tape
them together. Tape down all other loose parts, including the
drawers on the inside and the electrical cord and doors on the
outside.
6. Tie a large pad around it. That's it!
A stove
1. Clean the oven and stovetop.
2. Place all the oven racks on the bottom rung and tape
them down.
3. Tape down the burners and the protective pans under
each burner.
4. Tape the electrical cord and door to the stove (lock
the door, if you can), then tie a large pad around it. You're
done!
A dishwasher
1. Remove all dishes and tape down the racks and
silverware basket.
2. See your manual for removing and draining the water
hook-up.
3. Close and lock the door. Tape the door shut. Now tape
the hose and cord to the dishwasher.
4. Tie a large pad around it. That's all!
An air conditioner
1. If your air conditioner's in use, shut if off the day
before so the coils can dry and cool off.
2. Remove and clean or replace the filter.
3. Tape the cord to the side of the air conditioner (not
the back, where the coils are).
4. Use the original box, if you have it, or another large
appliance box well padded with wadded up newsprint. (Don't use
Styrofoam peanuts, which could get inside the air conditioner
and cause problems later.)
5. If you don't have a box, tie two large pads around it
to protect the coils. That's it!