How to move household appliances, hi-fi and video equipment

 

Household and electronic appliances are an integral part of our daily lives because of their usefulness and their design, so they are often part of any move, just like the furniture. Here are some tips for packing and transporting your fridges, flat-screen TVs and computer monitors safely and without breaking your back.

Household appliances

First of all, the fridge, freezer, dishwasher and washing machine need a little more planning and preparation than other belongings.

• The fridge : defrost the freezer compartment and let it dry completely. Remove the glass shelves and racks and leave the door open to stop mould forming and bad smells developing. The movers will transport your fridge upright (if access allows) so as not to damage the motor mounting or the Freon coil, avoiding any gas leak. Once it is delivered to your new kitchen, wait at least 3 hours before plugging it in to let the fluids settle.
• Do the same for the oven and microwave. Glass turntables, racks and other dishes must be removed. You can also place protective material (cardboard) against the oven or microwave door glass, wrap it in bubble wrap and tape it all round the appliance. Do not forget the power cable, which should be coiled at the back of the appliance.
• For smaller appliances such as a bread maker, coffee machine or food processor, pack them in their original box and seal it with tape. If you no longer have the original boxes, use a suitable box and wedge the appliance securely with bubble wrap or other packing material.
• Drain your dishwasher, remove the filters, close the door and tape the drain and inlet hoses against the machine. Be careful not to leave the tape on the machine too long, as it could leave glue marks that are hard to remove!
• Washing machine : empty the drum, unplug the machine and drain the water. Secure all the hoses and cables with strong tape to protect them during transport. Your machine’s supplier probably left you transport bolts to stop the drum moving during transport. Look at the back of your machine and you will see the holes provided for them. Washing machines and tumble dryers are often very heavy, so leave it to the team of movers , who will move these appliances safely using lifting equipment and moving blankets.

Hi-fi and video equipment

Moving a television or a large computer screen takes a minimum of organisation, as these devices are particularly sensitive to knocks and contain more and more electronics.

• Take a photo and draw a diagram of the connections and peripherals, or use coloured electrical tape. Also pack the assembly instructions for your hi-fi and video equipment with the devices.
• To move your screens and TVs, the ideal is to use the box supplied when you bought them. The latest TVs are lighter than plasma TVs were, but they still need protecting, so if you have not kept the original packaging, use a sturdy box or a crate padded with soft wedges or bubble wrap to avoid any knocks. Note: transport plasma TVs upright, never lying flat.
• Pack the remote controls with the devices, coil the cables and tie them with elastic bands. If you are putting your hi-fi equipment into storage for several months, remove the batteries from the remote controls. Label the set clearly and keep it with your equipment.
• For computers, the original box is again the best choice. Do not use foam or polystyrene beads, as they can produce static electricity and damage some components.