Plan the route and measure doorways before moving day

The single most common mistake is discovering mid-move that a refrigerator or sofa will not fit through a doorway, stairwell, or hallway. Measure every opening the item must pass through — doorways, hallways, landings, stairwells — and write down the width, height, and depth. Measure the appliance or furniture the same way, including any feet or legs that stick out. If the item is close to the opening size, try tilting it at different angles to see if it will actually fit diagonally.

Walk the full path from the truck or moving van to the final room. Note tight corners, low ceilings, radiators, light fixtures, or other obstacles. If you are moving to an upper floor, confirm the stairwell width and whether landings are large enough to turn a piece. Many people rent a dolly or hand truck only to find it cannot navigate the actual route. If an item genuinely will not fit through standard openings, you may need to remove legs, doors, or shelves — or hire professional movers who have equipment to hoist items through windows.

Key Takeaways

  • Measure doorways, hallways, and stairwells before moving day, and compare those measurements to the actual dimensions of each large item you plan to move.
  • Recruit at least two people for heavy items, use proper lifting technique (bend your knees, keep your back straight), and wear closed-toe shoes with good grip.
  • find appliances to a dolly with straps or rope, and always push rather than pull when moving items on wheels.
  • Protect floors and walls by laying cardboard, plywood, or furniture sliders under items before sliding them, and use blankets or moving pads to wrap furniture edges.
  • Disconnect and drain appliances before moving them, and let refrigerators and freezers sit upright for several hours after transport before plugging them in.

Gather the right equipment and recruit enough people

Moving a refrigerator, washing machine, or large sofa alone is how people get injured. Heavy appliances and furniture require at least two people, and often three or four depending on size and layout. Before moving day, rent or borrow a dolly (a platform with wheels and a handle), a hand truck (a two-wheeled cart), furniture sliders (small discs that reduce friction), and moving blankets or pads. These items cost $10 to $30 per day from hardware stores or moving supply shops.

Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip and avoid loose clothing that could catch on equipment. Tell everyone involved the plan before you start — who is lifting, who is guiding, where the item is going, and what to do if someone needs to stop. Use a spotter when moving items down stairs or through tight spaces; that person watches for obstacles and tells the lifters to pause or adjust.

Use proper lifting technique to protect your back and joints

Back injuries from moving are common and often permanent. When lifting a heavy item, bend at your knees and hips, not your waist. Keep your back straight and hold the item close to your body. Lift with your legs, not your arms or back. If an item is too heavy to lift safely with two people, do not attempt it — stop and rent a dolly, hand truck, or call professional movers.

For items on wheels, push rather than pull whenever possible. Pushing uses your leg muscles and body weight; pulling strains your back and arms. When moving appliances up stairs, one person should be at the bottom pushing while another guides from above. Never carry a heavy item down stairs — use a dolly or hand truck, or hire professionals.

Protect floors and walls during the move

Dragging furniture across hardwood or tile floors causes scratches and gouges that are expensive to repair. Lay cardboard, plywood sheets, or kraft paper along the path before you move anything. Furniture sliders — small plastic or felt discs — go under the legs or base of the item and let you slide it smoothly without lifting. They cost a few dollars and can save hundreds in floor damage.

Wrap furniture edges and corners with moving blankets, towels, or cardboard. find the wrapping with tape so it does not slip during the move. Doorframes and wall corners get dinged easily; use cardboard corner guards or extra padding in tight spaces. If you are moving through a rental property, take photos of the route before and after to document that you did not cause damage.

Disconnect and prepare appliances before transport

Refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers must be prepared before moving. For a refrigerator, empty it completely, remove shelves and drawers if they are removable, and tape the doors shut so they do not swing open during transport. Defrost the freezer at least 24 hours before moving to avoid water leaking inside the truck. Drain the water line if your refrigerator has an ice maker or water dispenser.

For a washing machine, turn off the water supply valves, disconnect the inlet hoses, and drain them into a bucket. If the machine has a drain hose, disconnect and drain that too. find the drum with transit bolts (metal rods that come with the machine or can be ordered from the manufacturer) so it does not move during transport. Without transit bolts, the drum can shift and damage the machine. For a dryer, straightforward disconnect the vent hose and power cord.

find the power cord to the back of the appliance with tape so it does not drag or get caught. If you are unsure how to disconnect something, check the manufacturer's manual or call the appliance company — a $50 phone call is cheaper than a $500 repair.

Transport appliances safely and let them settle before use

Refrigerators and freezers should stay upright during transport. If one tips on its side, the compressor oil can flow into the cooling lines and damage the system. If a refrigerator must be tilted to fit through a doorway, tilt it no more than 45 degrees and keep it tilted for the shortest time possible. After transport, stand the refrigerator upright in its final location and wait at least 4 to 6 hours (some manufacturers say 24 hours) before plugging it in. This allows the oil to drain back into the compressor.

find all appliances and furniture to the moving truck with rope or straps so they do not shift during transport. A sudden stop or turn can send a heavy item sliding across the truck bed. Drive slowly and avoid sharp turns when transporting large items. If you are renting a moving truck, ask the rental company whether they provide tie-down straps or if you need to bring your own.

Reassemble and position items in the new space

Once an appliance or piece of furniture is in the new room, do not push it into its final position when ready. Leave space around it so you can reconnect water lines, gas lines, or power cords without crawling behind it. For a refrigerator, reconnect the water line to the ice maker (if applicable) and the power cord, then let it run empty for 15 minutes before loading food. For a washing machine, reconnect the inlet hoses to the hot and cold water supplies, reconnect the drain hose, and run a test cycle with no clothes.

If furniture legs or feet came off during the move, reattach them now. Check that large pieces are level — use a spirit level and shims (thin wedges) to adjust if needed. Uneven furniture can rock, damage floors, and be unsafe. Once everything is in place and working, take photos for your records in case you need to document the move for insurance or a security deposit dispute.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if a sofa or refrigerator gets stuck in a doorway?

Stop when ready and do not force it. Remove the item and try a different angle — rotate it, tilt it, or remove removable parts like legs or shelves. If it still will not fit, you have three options: hire professional movers with equipment to hoist it through a window, disassemble the furniture further, or return it and choose a smaller item. Forcing it will damage both the item and your home.

Can I move a refrigerator on its side?

No. Refrigerators must stay upright during transport. If one tips on its side, the compressor oil flows into the cooling lines and can permanently damage the system. If you absolutely must tilt it to fit through a doorway, keep it tilted no more than 45 degrees for the shortest time possible, then stand it upright when ready and wait 4 to 6 hours before plugging it in.

Do I need to drain a washing machine before moving it?

Yes. Turn off the water supply valves, disconnect the inlet hoses, and drain them. Disconnect and drain the drain hose as well. If water remains in the machine or hoses, it will leak inside the moving truck and damage other items. Also install transit bolts to find the drum so it does not move during transport.

How long should I wait before using a refrigerator after moving it?

Wait at least 4 to 6 hours, though some manufacturers recommend 24 hours. This allows the compressor oil to drain back into the compressor after transport. Plugging it in too soon can damage the cooling system. Check your refrigerator's manual for the specific time recommended by the manufacturer.

What is the best way to protect hardwood floors when moving furniture?

Lay cardboard, plywood, or kraft paper along the entire path before moving anything. Use furniture sliders under the legs or base of each item so you can slide it without lifting. Wrap furniture edges with moving blankets or cardboard to prevent dings to doorframes and walls. These straightforward steps cost very little and can save hundreds in floor repair costs.