Last Updated on 2 months by David Bergmann
Are you planning your move and wondering how best to defrost and clean your fridge? Would you like to take your fridge straight to your new home? We have put together a short guide for you with all the tips & tricks, from defrosting to transportation. How to move your fridge quickly and smoothly!
- Clearing & packing the food
- Defrosting the refrigerator
- Preparation for transportation
- Transporting the refrigerator
- Arrival at the new apartment
1. clearing out & packing the food
Before you defrost the fridge and prepare it for transportation, you should clear out all the food and pack it carefully. Use airtight containers or plastic bags to prevent leakage during transportation. If possible, consume everything beforehand to avoid having to throw away food unnecessarily.
If your fridge is a fridge-freezer combination, you should always keep a cool bag with cold packs, otherwise the food will spoil very quickly. If you are not taking the fridge with you to your new home, it is best to transport the leftover food directly to your new home so that the cold chain is not interrupted for too long.
2. defrosting the refrigerator
Before you start the actual moving process, it’s important to defrost your fridge properly. The appliance must be switched off and cleared beforehand. Don’t forget to empty the freezer compartment as well.
- Preparation: Switch off your refrigerator and remove the plug from the socket. You should then start clearing out the food straight away and store it either in a cool box or in another fridge to keep it fresh.
- Defrosting: Leave the doors of the refrigerator and freezer open to defrost it. Place a few towels or old newspapers on the floor in front of the fridge to catch any water run-off and protect the floor. Defrosting can take several hours, depending on how thick the layer of ice is.
- Removing the ice: As soon as the ice has melted in the freezer compartment and on the walls of the refrigerator, you can carefully remove it with a plastic scraper or a soft cloth. Be careful not to damage the interior walls.
- Cleaning: Once the ice has been removed, clean the inside of the refrigerator thoroughly with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent. Make sure to thoroughly clean all glass shelves, drawers and corners to remove any residues or odors. To save time, you can use pre-moistened, antibacterial cleaning cloths.
- Drying: Dry the inside of the refrigerator thoroughly with a clean cloth. Then leave the fridge open for a few hours so that it can dry completely.
3. preparation for transportation
As soon as the fridge is defrosted and the food is safely packed away, remove the shelves and vegetable compartments. Wrap them in blankets or bubble wrap to protect them from damage.
Securing the refrigerator door
To prevent the refrigerator door from opening during transportation and causing damage to the cooling circuits, you should secure it with adhesive tape. Also check the power cable and make sure that it is properly stowed away.
Preparation for transportation
Once everything is packed, it’s time to prepare the fridge for transportation. Make sure it is completely defrosted and dry before you move it. For upright transportation, you can use a hand truck or a dolly to transport the refrigerator safely.
Make sure that the cooling appliance is firmly positioned on the hand truck and cannot slip. We also recommend that you briefly inspect the transportation route beforehand and remove any obstacles (beware of doorsteps!). You should also prepare the removal van, create enough space for the fridge and place blankets or cardboard underneath for protection.
4. transportation of the refrigerator
Ideally, the refrigerator should be transported upright. In this way, you minimize the risk of damage to the cooling lines and can also switch it on again immediately after transport.
Close all doors before transportation and secure them with adhesive tape (e.g. masking tape).
Avoid tripping hazards and make sure that the refrigerator is well secured to prevent it from tipping over during the journey.
Transporting the refrigerator horizontally
If you want or need to transport it lying down, there are a few things you should bear in mind to avoid damage.
For example, you should always transport the cooling appliance lying on its side on the hand truck and not on its back. Otherwise you run the risk of damaging important cooling elements and hoses.
You should also note that the refrigerator must remain switched off for some time after transportation. If you transport the refrigerator horizontally, the oil from the compressor may mix with the coolant. After transportation, the oil must first be returned to the compressor to ensure optimum cooling operation.
Tip: Do you need help transporting your refrigerator? Then get here for a quote from a professional moving company!
5. arrival in the new apartment
As soon as you arrive in your new home, place the fridge in its new destination. Depending on how it was transported, you should leave it alone for a while before reconnecting it.
This gives the cooling lines the opportunity to settle down and prevent damage. Make sure that the refrigerator is placed on a level surface and is well ventilated to ensure optimum cooling performance.
Final review
Once the refrigerator is in its new location, check it carefully for possible damage during transportation. Pay particular attention to cracks or leaks in the cooling circuit and check that all shelves and compartments are intact. If you notice any damage, you should contact a removal company or an appliance specialist immediately to have the refrigerator repaired.
Conclusion
Defrosting and preparing your fridge for transportation takes some time and care, but it’s worth it to ensure that your fridge arrives safely and undamaged in your new home. By following the steps above and paying attention to proper handling during transportation, you can ensure that your refrigerator will survive the move without any problems and that your food will be optimally cooled again!
Good luck with your move and welcome to your new home!
Tip: Would you like to have your old refrigerator disposed of professionally? Learn more here how to hire a clearing company for the removal!