Knowing how to move a fridge safely is one of those jobs that looks simple until you’re halfway up a hallway with 90 kilos of stainless steel tipping toward the skirting board. After years on the trucks here in Wollongong, we’ve seen more dented doors, scratched floors and dead compressors than we care to count – almost all of them avoidable. So here’s the honest, practical guide we’d give our own family before they tackle a fridge move.
Why moving a fridge is trickier than it looks
A fridge isn’t just heavy – it’s top-heavy, awkward to grip, and full of a sealed cooling system that hates being knocked around. Get it wrong and you’re looking at damaged flooring, a strained back, or a fridge that won’t cool properly for days after the move. The good news is that with a bit of prep and the right technique, it’s a manageable job. The bad news is that most of the damage we see happens because people rush the two things that matter most: defrosting and keeping it upright.
Start 24 hours before: defrost and empty
The single most important step happens the day before, not on moving day. Empty the fridge and freezer completely, then unplug it and leave the doors open for at least 24 hours so it fully defrosts and dries out. A freezer that’s still frosted up will drip melt-water all through your move – onto boxes, into the truck, and down your hallway.
While it defrosts:
- Wipe out the interior with warm water and a little bicarb so it doesn’t smell when it’s sealed shut for transport.
- Remove all shelves, drawers and glass trays. Wrap them separately in towels or bubble wrap – loose glass shelves rattling around inside a moving fridge is a classic way to shatter them.
- Lay a towel at the base to catch the last of the defrost water.
If you’re packing the rest of the kitchen at the same time, our room-by-room packing guide walks you through doing it in the right order so nothing gets left to the last minute.
Gear you’ll actually need
You don’t need a warehouse full of equipment, but a few items make the difference between a smooth job and a dangerous one:
- An appliance trolley (hand truck) with a strap. This is non-negotiable for anything heavier than a bar fridge. Trying to “walk” a full-size fridge by rocking it corner to corner is how floors and backs get wrecked.
- Moving straps or ratchet straps to secure the doors shut and to anchor the fridge in the truck.
- Furniture blankets or thick towels to protect the finish and your walls.
- A second person, minimum. Fridges are genuinely a two-person job – one to steer, one to spot.
How to move a fridge safely, step by step
1. Secure the cord and the doors
Tape or clip the power cord up out of the way so nobody trips on it or rolls the trolley over it. Then strap the doors shut – a swinging door mid-lift can throw off your balance and pin your fingers.
2. Slide the trolley under the side, not the front
Always load a fridge onto the trolley from the side, so the doors face out and the trolley plate sits under the more solid side panel. Tilt it back gently to no more than about 45 degrees and strap it firmly to the trolley.
3. Keep it upright the whole way
This is the rule that saves compressors: keep the fridge as upright as possible at all times. Laying a fridge flat can push compressor oil up into the cooling lines where it doesn’t belong. If you absolutely must lay it down to fit it in a car or low trailer, note how long it was on its side – you’ll need to stand it upright for at least that long (ideally a full 4 hours or more) before switching it back on.
4. Take doorways and stairs slowly
Measure your doorways, the fridge, and the truck opening before you lift anything – a fridge that’s 5mm too wide for the hallway is a problem you want to discover in advance, not while you’re carrying it. On stairs, the person below sets the pace and takes the weight; the person above steadies and guides. Never rush a staircase with a loaded trolley.
5. Load and anchor it in the truck
Stand the fridge upright against a side wall of the truck and ratchet-strap it to the anchor points so it can’t tip or slide in transit. Pad any surface it touches. This is exactly the kind of load-securing our crews do every day – if you’d rather not risk it, our house removalists handle appliances like this as part of a normal move.
After the move: let it settle before you plug it in
Here’s the step almost everyone gets wrong in their excitement to fill the fridge back up. Once it’s in position in your new place, leave it standing upright and switched off for at least 4 hours before plugging it in – longer if it was tilted or laid down during the move. This lets the compressor oil settle back where it belongs. Switch it on too soon and you can permanently damage the compressor, turning a free DIY move into a very expensive appliance replacement.
Once it’s running, give it a few hours to reach temperature before loading food back in. Moving is already dear enough without a fridge full of spoiled groceries – the government’s MoneySmart guide to managing moving house costs is a good reminder of how the little things add up on moving day.
When to call a removalist instead
The honest truth from our side of the truck: a small bar fridge is a fine DIY job, but a big French-door or double-door fridge up a flight of stairs is where people get hurt and things get broken. If you’re moving a heavy unit, dealing with tight stairwells, or simply don’t have a second strong pair of hands, it’s cheaper in the long run to have it done right. We move fridges as part of every job, and we also offer same-day removalists in Wollongong when you need it shifted in a hurry. For dedicated appliance jobs, see our fridge removalists Wollongong service.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a fridge sit before plugging it in after moving?
If it stayed upright the whole time, 4 hours is a safe minimum. If it was tilted heavily or laid on its side, stand it upright for at least as long as it was down – and when in doubt, wait a full 24 hours. It’s cheap insurance against a ruined compressor.
Can you move a fridge lying down?
You can, but you shouldn’t unless there’s no other option. Transporting a fridge upright is always safer. If you must lay it down, keep it on its side (never on its back or front) and let it stand upright for an equal amount of time before switching it on.
Do I really need to defrost the freezer before moving?
Yes. A frosted freezer drips melt-water everywhere once it starts warming up, soaking boxes and creating slip hazards. Give it a full 24 hours unplugged with the doors open, and wipe it dry before the move.
How much does it cost to have a removalist move a fridge?
It depends on access, stairs and whether it’s a standalone job or part of a full move. As part of a house move there’s usually no separate charge. For a one-off, give us a call and we’ll give you an honest price with no surprises.
Move your fridge the easy way
If you’d rather leave the heavy lifting to a crew who does it every day, we’re a local Wollongong team who’ll move your fridge – and everything else – safely and without the drama. Call us on 1300 015 050 for a quick, honest quote, or send a message below and we’ll get straight back to you.
