How to Move a Washer and Dryer by Yourself

Planning to take your washing machine and dryer with you when you move? We hope you’re prepared for some heavy lifting. Considering the fact that many washers and dryers weigh upwards of 200 pounds or more, we highly recommend hiring professionals to handle the relocation of your appliances. In addition, moving a washing machine and dryer often involves taking certain safety precautions (think: possibly having to disconnect a gas line). So for safety’s sake, bringing in the pros may be worth the money when moving a washer and dryer.

However, if hiring movers is simply not a possibility, then consider enlisting a friend or two to help carry and move the load. For more information about safely moving a washer and dryer to a new home, read our tips and step-by-step instructions below.

Moving a washer and dryer

Before the move

When it comes to moving a washer and dryer by yourself, preparation is key. Moving both top-loading and front-loading appliances is nearly impossible without the right supplies, equipment, assistance and proper planning. Here’s how to prepare to move a washer and dryer before the move.

  • Gather owner’s manuals and warranty information – First, make sure you have all appliance instruction materials on-hand when moving. The same goes for warranties. We recommend reading over the owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to disconnect and reconnect your washer and dryer. Many owner’s manuals will also include specific instructions for how to move the appliance. Of course, if something goes awry during the move, and the appliances are damaged, you will want to have the washer and dryer warranty details with you as well. Be sure to place these manuals in a safe and secure location. We recommend putting them inside a plastic baggie to prevent water damage.
  • Find the right moving equipment and supplies – Using the right supplies and equipment are absolutely essential when moving a washer and dryer. Necessary equipment and supplies likely include gloves, appliance dolly, moving straps, moving blankets, a vacuum cleaner, wrench, pliers, washing machine cleaners and packing tape.
  • Enlist help ­– Assembling the right team of helpers will make the move efficient and safe. We recommend enlisting at least one or two other people to help out. Whether it’s a friend, family member or neighbor, make sure they are physically fit enough to help with lifting. They should also wear appropriate clothing including closed toe shoes.
  • Measure doorways and stairways – Before moving a washer and dryer, be sure to measure all doorways and stairways that appliances will pass through on the way out. It’s important to know whether or not your washer and dryer will fit through these openings successfully. If not, you’ll need to come up with a different strategy for moving your washer and dryer out of the home.
  • Clean the washer and dryer – The last thing you want is a dirty washer and dryer in your new home. Prior to moving, we strongly recommend cleaning out both appliances. Not only will this prevent bad smells, but it will also improve the safety and efficiency of the appliances. To clean your washer, try using a formula or tablet specifically designed to clean and sanitize a washing machine. One example is affresh, a tablet made to remove dirt and residue build-up inside your washing machine. Run the washer with the tablet inside. Once the cycle is complete, leave the washer door open for at least 24 hours to fully dry and air out the inside. To clean your dryer, simply empty the lint trap and clean it out with a brush or vacuum.

7 steps to moving a washer

  1. First, for safety purposes, power down the washer. Make sure all electricity running to the appliance has been completely shut down by switching off the corresponding switch on your home’s main electrical panel. Once the electricity has been turned off, unplug the washer from the wall. Wrap and bundle electrical cords up with a twist-tie or tape them to the side of the washer.
  2. Next, shut off the water to the washer. To do so, locate the valves behind the washer and turn them off. Once they’ve been turned off, remove the cold and hot water hoses from the wall and drain them. You may need a wrench or pliers to loosen and remove the hoses. Empty any leftover water inside the hoses into a nearby bucket. Put them in a secure and safe place, so you know where they are once you arrive in the new home.
  3. The drum inside your washing machine is the part that moves and spins inside the washer to ensure clothes are moved around and washed thoroughly. To keep it in place during the move, you’ll need to secure it with shipping bolts.
  4. Next, protect the washer with moving blankets. We recommend holding the moving blanket in place with packing tape.
  5. Once the washer is properly protected with a moving blanket, gently move it (with the help of friends) towards the dolly. Tip it backwards and slide the washer onto the dolly. You may want to secure it to the dolly with moving straps or rope.
  6. Slowly and carefully roll the dolly through the home and out the door. Make sure someone is behind the dolly holding the washer in place while someone else rolls the dolly.
  7. Use the moving truck’s loading ramp to roll the washer up into the truck. Make sure the washing machine is placed in an upright position while in transit. It should also be secured with tie-downs inside the truck.

7 steps to moving a dryer

  1. When moving a dryer, it’s important to remember that safety comes first. Make sure to power down the dryer by switching off the corresponding switch on your home’s main electrical panel. Once the electricity has been turned off, unplug the dryer from the wall. Wrap and bundle electrical cords up with a twist-tie or tape them to the side of the dryer.
  2. If the dryer is powered by gas, you’ll need to shut off the gas valve on the dryer and disconnect the gas line completely. Unless you have experience, we recommend bringing in a professional to handle this part of the job.
  3. Next, move the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the dryer’s vents. This vent is the hose that is connected from your dryer to the wall.
  4. Once the dryer is ready to be moved out of the house, wrap it in moving blankets and place all hoses and parts in a safe and secure place.
  5. With the help of a friend, tip the dryer backwards and slide the dolly underneath the dryer. Secure it to the dolly with moving straps.
  6. Carefully roll the dolly through the home and out the door. Be sure to have a friend or two assisting with the move. This will prevent your dryer from hitting walls or falling off the dolly.
  7. Finally, roll the dryer up the moving truck’s loading ramp and into the back of the truck. Make sure the dryer is placed in an upright position while in transit. It should also be secured with tie-downs inside the truck.

Prefer to hire professional movers?

If moving a washer and dryer DIY-style isn’t for you, there are plenty of professional moving companies that can handle the task for you. To find the best moving company to move your belongings, including your appliances, check Moving.com’s extensive network of reputable and reliable movers. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands. Best of luck and happy moving!