If you will be transporting a washing machine, especially over a long distance, you might be wondering if you need to prepare the washing machine for the journey. This article advises on how necessary this is, and what steps you might want to take before moving it.
The first job is to disconnect the washer from the plumbing and electrics, and pull it out (what’s best way to pull a washing machine out?). Once you’ve done this you might want to get rid of the residual water inside the pump and sump hose.
This is because although the last time the washing machine was used most of the water was pumped away there is always some water left inside the sump hose and water pump.
How to Drain All of the Water
If the washing machine will be kept upright during its transit then it’s not essential to drain the water. However, draining as much water as you can will prevent water running out if the drain hose drops to the floor.
It can also stop water dribbling over the legs and shoes of anyone moving it when the washing machine is tipped onto its side during canning.
Alternatively, just make sure that the drain hose is secured so it can’t fall to the floor whilst being moved. (How to drain water from washing machine).
Secure drain hose and fill hoses
Once you have drained the water out you need to secure the drain hose. Try to secure it as much as possible using any clips provided at the back of the machine. If it is possible for it to fall to the floor then use strong tape to secure it to the top of the lid so it doesn’t flail about during transit.
Secure the fill hoses too. However, it is better to unscrew them and put them inside the drum. Make sure the rubber seals don’t fall out though.
Also make sure that the plug and mains cable are properly secured. Any one of these parts dropping onto the floor during transit can be a real safety hazard.
Transit packing
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. If this 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 how do you transport a washing machine safely without transit packing?
The original transit packing stops the main drum from swinging and bouncing during transit. This prevents the drum (which is mounted on suspension springs) damaging parts inside or denting the cabinet.
No transit packaging?
If you don’t have the transit packaging you could try taking off the lid and packing something like a small duvet or bed sheets on top of the tub. Replace the lid so that it presses down on the sheets and has some effect on stopping the tub bouncing up and damaging parts if the road is very bumpy. But do not forget about this “packing” before using the machine!
To be honest, packing the top of the drum is probably a bit over-cautious, but I can’t guarantee that it is perfectly ok to transport a washing machine without any transit packing. I have moved many hundreds of washing machines over the years without any transit packing though. I don’t 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 careful the driver is. These days there is arguably more potential for damage because there is a lot less room between the bigger outer drums and parts.
If concerned, ask your removal company about moving washing machines. They do it every day and should know if it is ok to transport them without packaging. I suspect most would advise that it is and they should know.
When I moved house myself my removal men didn’t mention transit packaging, they just picked the washing machine up and secured it in the removal van.
I didn’t put any transit packing in place either, and the washing machine was ok at the other end.
Transporting the washing machine
The washing machine is best kept standing upright throughout the process. But if the washing machine is being transported in a car and cannot be kept upright I would lay the washing machine on its back. If this is how it will be moved it is important to have drained out as much water as possible (as shown in the first section).
This is because once laid down, water can run inside the washing machine and run onto electrical parts. This could cause an electrical short and expensive damage when the washing machine is next plugged in. Also, if laid down, the drum will not bounce around on its suspension, so transit packaging would definitely be unnecessary.
Using a trolley
Most washing machines will be moved by two people lifting it. But if using a hand trolley make sure when you tip it back that you hold the top of the washing machine and tip back the trolley and the washing machine together.
Otherwise you can either lever the washing machine over or cause damage underneath the washing machine with the trolley’s plate.
Make sure the back of the washing machine is against the trolley.
Finally
Once your washing machine has been moved and reconnected 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.
Follow the check list and troubleshooting guide in this article 5 things to check for after connecting a washing machine.
If you connect it up at a different house and it doesn’t pump out the water when you first use it then read this article – washing machine won’t drain after being moved.
Related articles
The list below contains related articles. The first 3 are particularly relevant if after transporting and connecting your washing machine there seems to be a fault that wasn’t there before you moved it –
- Washing machine won’t drain after being moved
- Tips for installing a washing machine – fill hoses (questions covered – Can I use the old washing machine hoses or should I fit the new ones? | How tight should I connect the fill hoses? | Washing machine hoses not long enough? | in particular were has that I have a hot and cold water supply, but the new washing machine only has a cold water valve – what do I do? | Washing machine is a hot and cold fill, but I only have a cold water supply)
Yves Fournier says
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
Renita Leong says
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.
Washerhelp says
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.
Kay says
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?
Washerhelp says
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.
Alex says
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.
Washerhelp says
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.
Jose says
We just move to a new state, the moving company that take care of our house Layed down our Washer machine and our tumble dryer.. we just find out that they did this. I haven’t be able to check them because they are in a storage unit. Do we are going to have a problem.
Washerhelp says
Hello Jose: Just keep an eye on the machines the first time you use them. Hopefully everything will be OK. It’s best to keep them upright but it doesn’t mean there will definitely be problems if they aren’t.
James C says
Hi Washerhelp,
I have an old washing machine which I want to disconnect from the inlet taps / inlet pipes, in preparation for disposing of.
The inlet taps are located underneath a kitchen sink, and they appear to have “on / off levers” on them.
Do these inlet taps normally have an additional safety mechanism inside them to prevent water flow when the pipes are disconnected? OR will water flow from the taps when disconnected if the “levers” are in the “on” position?
Thank you for your advise,
James C