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Transporting a washing machine

The best way to transport a washing machine from one house to another is to refit the original transit packing or transit bolts that came with the washing machine. It’s often not possible though. If it is possible, instructions on how to do this should be in the instruction book or manual. (Miele transit packing can definitely be refitted and they even design it to clip into the back panel so it won’t get lost)

In reality the majority of people no longer have access to the original transit packaging so the question arises, how do you transport a washing machine safely without transit packing?

First stage: preparation-

Once you have disconnected the washing machine from the plumbing you need to get rid of all the water and secure the drain hose. If you don’t then this water will inevitably run all over the floor, as well as the legs and shoes of anyone moving it. The last time the washing machine was used most of the water was pumped away but there is always at least a pint of water left inside the sump hose and water pump. To remove this water you need to let it siphon out through the drain hose by lowering it below the level of the water inside the washing machine.

Once you have drained the water you need to secure the drain hose, fill hoses (if still connected to the machine - if not put them inside the drum) and mains cable and plug. Try to secure them as much as possible using any clips provided at the back of the machine. Use strong tape to secure them any cable or hose that can’t be clipped anywhere (I usually tape them to the lid of the washing machine)

Second stage: Moving washing machine -

I can’t advise that it is perfectly ok to move a washing machine without any transit packing but I have moved many hundreds of washing machines over the years and rarely if ever remember any problems. It depends very much on the design of the washing machine, the quality of its suspension and the way it is transported including how bumpy the road and how carefully the driver is.

Ask your removal company about moving washing machines. They do it every day and will know if it is ok to transport them without packaging. I suspect most would advise that it is and they should know. I have just moved house myself and my removal men didn’t mention transit packaging, they just picked the washing machine up and secured it in the removal van. I personally didn’t put any transit packing in place and the washing machine was ok at the other end.

Once your washing machine has been moved, make sure you keep a very close eye on it the first time it is used to make sure it is ok and it isn’t going to leak.

Related:

Written by Washerhelp on August 17th, 2007 with 7 comments.
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7 comments

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Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Yves Fournier
#1. November 22nd, 2007, at 8:00 PM.

Thank you for your sugestions.
I will be moving a washing machine Sat Nov. 24, 2007.
I will put in in my SUV and will transport it on it’s side.

Thank you again,
Yves Fournier in Oceanside California

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Renita Leong
#2. December 21st, 2007, at 4:13 AM.

After transporting a new clothing washer on its side, how long do you have to let the oil settle before you can start washing?

Thanks for the great website.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Washerhelp
#3. December 21st, 2007, at 11:33 AM.

Hello Renita. There’s no oil in UK washing machines that I know of. If yours is an American top loader I’m not familiar with them at all.

I just purchased a new tumble dryer though and that has oil inside because it has an energy saving heat pump built in which stores heat and it uses oil. The advice on the instruction book was to leave it to stand 12 hours before using “if it has been laid on its side”. As I couldn’t be sure if it had been laid on its side sometime during transportation to me I let it stand to be on the safe side.

I would think 12 hours should be enough but 24 if you want to be cautious.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Kay
#4. January 5th, 2008, at 11:08 PM.

I moved and put my stuff in storage for a year. The movers secured it nicely and professionally. Now I am moving the stuff out of the storage with a friend or two. Do I need to remove the stuff the movers used to secure the washer during moving?

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Washerhelp
#5. January 6th, 2008, at 2:13 PM.

Hello Kay

If they just said they secured it while in transit they could have been referring to just securing it carefully in their van, but if they fitted some sort of transit packaging inside then it must be removed.

If they did fit anything they surely should either remove it as part of their service or at least leave you instructions on how to remove it.

You need to ask them if they fitted anything inside.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Alex
#6. January 12th, 2008, at 1:27 PM.

Shipping bolts or kits are a big problem when moving. There is a product called LITKIT that works well when shipping all types of washing machines. There are demo videos on You Tube, search LITKIT.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Washerhelp
#7. January 12th, 2008, at 3:28 PM.

Thanks Alex: That’s serious transit packing. It looks very good although not much use for the average person unless they have an air hose in their garage. I would expect businesses moving other people’s washing machines might invest in the system though.

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