When you're packing kitchen utensils and dishes, you're likely keeping an eye on total box weight. After all, it does no good to pack perfectly padded plates in a box that's so heavy no one can manage it. But what do you do about items that are heavy on their own?
A standard fridge can weigh 150 to 300 pounds or more, and that's after you empty out the food and drinks. Trying to move one without help is more than frustrating — it can be a safety issue. It's a good idea to handle this moving task with help from friends or professional movers.
But knowing how to move a refrigerator safely helps you plan ahead, protect your appliance, and avoid injury. We walk you through the steps below, from checking the owner's manual and getting measurements to protecting your floors and moving it.
Melanie Morris is an editor, writer, and one of the sharpest moving experts at HireAHelper. Seven years spent answering readers' toughest questions and demystifying a process most people dread has made her an authority on what movers actually need to know — and how to explain it without the jargon. Her own relocations around the Southwest and up and down the West Coast give her the firsthand experience to back it up. Whether you're crossing the country or just moving down the block, Melanie makes sure the advice you get is accurate, trustworthy, and easy to act on.
If you've ever explored how to move a refrigerator to clean behind it, you know it's not something you want to tackle solo. That's even more true when you need to get the appliance out of one house and into another.
"You probably shouldn’t [move a fridge by yourself]. At minimum, a DIY refrigerator move requires a sturdy appliance dolly, ratchet straps, and someone to help guide or spot you."
One option is to hire movers for the job. When you book professional help through HireAHelper's platform, you don't have to approach this task alone. You can connect with moving services on our marketplace that handle the entire fridge relocation, and come with the proper equipment to move it safely to your new home.
That said, if you're moving it with help from others, review the 14 steps below to make sure it’s done safely.
Start by checking your refrigerator's owner's manual for potential safety considerations and brand-specific precautions. Some manuals also include transport details like how long to wait until you plug a fridge back in after moving it or whether you can lay the appliance on its side.
If your model has water lines, built-in filters, and other features, they may require special prep or handling during a move.
Don't have the manual for your fridge anymore? Not to worry, you can typically look it up on the manufacturer’s website using your model number.
Measure your refrigerator's height, depth, and width. Then, measure doorways, hallways, stairwells, and tight turns along the exit path of your old home. Do the same for the entry path of your new home. And don’t forget to check your moving truck’s clearance height too.
Knowing the exact dimensions of your fridge and the spaces you need to get it through helps you make a plan. You may need to re-route your fridge through the back door and along the side of the house to avoid a tight hall, for instance.
You’ll need a few essentials to move a fridge safely:
Using these tools reduces the risks of injury to yourself and damage to the fridge during transport. And don’t forget a buddy to help with balance and navigation. Moving any kind of fridge by yourself (except for a mini fridge or a skincare fridge) is not recommended.
Fridges are already heavy enough without being full of bottles, frozen goods, or accessories. Remove everything inside before you move the appliance, including the produce in the crisper and whatever's hanging out in the deli drawer. Not to mention, your fridge will need to be unplugged while you move it, which could last hours — most perishable stuff that’s not frozen is going to spoil anyway.
Place items in coolers right before you move so you can transport them to your new home. If you’re low on cooler space or don't want to worry about moving food, you should start eating down the fridge a week or so before you move to reduce the need to pack the items.
Unplug your fridge before you move it, allowing enough time for any necessary defrosting. Modern fridges don't typically need to be defrosted before you move them. However, turning them off and unplugging them for 30 minutes to a few hours ahead of time helps ensure everything settles and that you don't have water or melted ice in the moving van.
If your fridge or freezer does get ice buildup inside, you'll need to defrost it. This can take a few hours to a few days, depending on the model and how much ice there is. Plan accordingly, as you won't be able to keep food in the fridge during this time safely.
An empty, defrosted fridge is much easier to clean than one that's plugged in and housing food. Take the time to scrub it inside and out with warm, soapy water. Remove shelves and drawers, and scrub under and behind those areas.
Dry everything completely before shutting the fridge door. A clean, dry refrigerator cuts down on odors and mold, and reduces the risk that water might damage items in the moving truck. Plus, starting off in your new kitchen with a crystal clean fridge is super nice.
Ensure loose or moving parts don't bang or swing during transport. Tape down doors, shelves, bins, and drawers, or remove the parts you can before transport (this cuts down on the weight, as an added bonus). Wrap shelves and other parts in towels and pack them in boxes if you opt to remove them, but make sure everything is labeled for easy reinstallation.
When you're moving something as big and bulky as a fridge, it's likely to brush up against or hit things. Wrapping the appliance in a moving blanket and stretch wrap can help cushion it.
"Don't have the manual for your fridge anymore? Not to worry, you can typically look it up on the manufacturer’s website using your model number."
If you hire help for your move, let the pros know a fridge is part of the moving day list. They'll probably bring their own padding, and they know how to wrap a fridge well already.
Dragging a heavy appliance over laminate or wood floors can leave some unsightly gashes and scratches, so use furniture sliders or cardboard under your fridge to avoid damage.
If you're moving a fridge over carpet, put a board or thick cardboard down to help protect the flooring and keep your load stable.
Knowing how to move a refrigerator into a truck usually involves a dolly. With help from another person, tilt the fridge slightly and slide the dolly underneath from the side — not the front or back. Strap the fridge on tightly and tilt the entire thing back slowly so you can move the dolly. Don’t tilt it back too far — this can mess with the internal mechanisms that keep a fridge cold or pose a danger to you and your helpers. You just need to tip it back enough to get it moving and balanced.
Take it slow and use a spotter to help you clear corners and thresholds, and remove doors or handrails if needed. If the fridge must be tilted far back to get through a doorway, avoid turning it fully on its side to prevent oil or refrigerant issues.
If possible, always move a fridge in an upright position. Doing otherwise could seriously damage the internal components and cooling ability.
If you absolutely have no other choice, you technically can transport a refrigerator on its side. But doing so risks oil backflow or refrigerant disruption. Check your owner's manual to see if you can put your fridge on its side for any period of time.
Take the same level of precaution as you would with packed fragile dishes when securing the fridge. If possible, ensure it's secured to the wall of the moving truck so it can't slide or fall on anything during the ride.
Let the fridge sit upright and unplugged for several hours — or as long as your manual requires. This lets compressor oil settle back into place, which protects internal components when you power the appliance back on.
Plug in the fridge and turn it on. Don't put food in it yet — it can take a while for the refrigerator to get to the right temperature for safe food storage. Keep an eye on the appliance for a few hours, checking the internal temperature occasionally. You can restock when it reaches around 37 degrees Fahrenheit for the fridge and 0 degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer.
Moving a fridge is physically demanding, and if you're not prepared, you can put more than your muscles at risk. Here are tips to mitigate the risks of property damage or personal injury:
While packing pots and pans or moving your own dishes might be something to DIY, hiring professionals to move the fridge makes good sense. When your fridge might be difficult to move — because it's oversized or has a built-in water dispenser — pros can provide added peace of mind. Moving services might also help reduce the frustrations of moving a fridge if you need to get it through a narrow space.
You probably shouldn’t. Most refrigerators weigh 150–300 pounds, and trying to move one on your own can put serious strain on your back. At minimum, a DIY refrigerator move requires a sturdy appliance dolly, ratchet straps, and someone to help guide or spot you.
If you’re second-guessing yourself, that’s a good sign that it’s time to book professional help. HireAHelper makes it easy to find the right crew for the job.
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