A fridge is one of the heaviest and most awkward things in any home, and one of the easiest to damage in a move. It’s tall, top-heavy and full of parts that don’t like being bumped, tipped or switched on too soon. The good news is that moving a fridge safely isn’t difficult when you prepare it properly and handle it the right way.
This guide covers everything, from the days before the move to the moment you plug it back in at your new home. Every fridge is a little different, so always check your manufacturer’s instructions as well.
The fridge-moving timeline
A fridge move starts well before moving day. Here’s a simple timeline to follow:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| A week before | Stop buying fresh and frozen food, and plan meals to use up what you have |
| 2–3 days before | Measure doorways, hallways and stairs at both homes |
| At least 24 hours before | Empty the fridge, switch it off and let the freezer defrost |
| The night before | Clean and dry the inside, remove or secure shelves, tape the doors |
| Moving day | Move it upright on a trolley, with two people |
| At the new home | Let it stand upright before switching on, then let it cool before restocking |
Before moving day: run down your food
The easiest fridge to move is an empty one. About a week before your move, stop buying large amounts of fresh and frozen food and start eating what you have. Anything left on the last day can go in a cooler with ice packs for the trip, or be given to a neighbour.
Keep a small esky ready for moving day, with the essentials you’ll want that evening: milk, a few drinks and something easy for dinner.
Defrost and clean the fridge
Switch the fridge off and unplug it at least 24 hours before the move, so the freezer has time to defrost completely. Leave the doors slightly open and put towels on the floor to catch the water. Some freezers need longer, especially if there’s a thick build-up of ice.
Once it’s defrosted, clean the inside thoroughly and dry it completely. A fridge that’s closed up while still damp for a few hours can quickly start to smell or grow mould. A towel left inside can help soak up any last moisture.
Secure the shelves and doors
Loose shelves, drawers and glass panels are the parts most likely to break in a move.
- Remove glass shelves and loose drawers, wrap them in bubble wrap or towels, and pack them separately.
- Secure anything that can’t be removed with tape, so it can’t slide around.
- Tape the doors shut with a tape that won’t damage the finish, or use a strap around the fridge.
- Tie up the power cord and tape it to the back, so it can’t get caught or tripped over.
If your fridge has an ice maker or water dispenser connected to a water line, turn off the water supply and disconnect it before the move, or ask a plumber to do it. Drain any water left in the line or dispenser.
Measure doorways and the route
Fridges are big, and modern ones are often bigger than the doorways of older homes. Before moving day, measure:
- The fridge itself: height, width and depth, including the handles
- Every doorway, hallway and corner it needs to pass through, at both homes
- The space in the new kitchen, with room around the fridge for air flow
- Any lift it needs to fit in, if you’re moving to or from an apartment
Some fridges can have their doors or handles removed to fit through tight spaces. Check your manual before taking anything apart. Moving into an apartment? Our guide to moving into a CBD apartment covers lifts and building rules.
Keep it upright: can you lay a fridge down?
Wherever possible, a fridge should be moved upright. That’s the position it’s designed to stand in, and it keeps the cooling system as it should be.
If a fridge absolutely has to be laid down, for example to get it through a low doorway, check your manufacturer’s instructions first, because some fridges should never be laid down. Common advice is to lay it on its side rather than its back or front, but your manual is the best guide. A fridge that has been lying down usually needs longer standing upright before it’s switched on again.
Moving the fridge safely
A fridge is heavy and top-heavy, which makes it easy to hurt yourself or the fridge. The safe way to move one is:
- Use an appliance trolley with straps, never just your arms.
- Have two people: one guiding the trolley, one steadying the fridge.
- Tilt it slightly onto the trolley, just enough to move it, and strap it on.
- Protect the floors and walls along the route, especially doorframes.
- Take stairs slowly, one step at a time, with someone below.
- Secure it upright in the truck, strapped so it can’t move or tip.
That’s exactly how our crews move fridges: two movers, an appliance trolley, straps and blankets. Our fridge movers page explains the service, including fridge-only moves.
Different types of fridge
Most fridges move the same way, but some types need a little extra planning:
| Type | What to know |
|---|---|
| Bar fridge | Light and easy to move, but still keep it upright and let it stand before switching on |
| Top or bottom mount | The most common type; follow the standard steps above |
| Side-by-side or French door | Wide and heavy; measure doorways carefully, and doors may need removing |
| Fridges with ice makers | Disconnect and drain the water line before the move |
| Double-door or commercial | Specialist items in our terms, so tell us when you book |
Under our terms and conditions, double-door and commercial refrigerators are specialist items. Please mention them when you book, so we can plan for them properly.
At the new home: when to switch it back on
This is the step people most often get wrong. It’s tempting to plug the fridge in straight away, but it’s best to let it stand upright for a while first. Many manufacturers recommend waiting a few hours, and longer if the fridge was laid down during the move. Check your manual for the exact time.
Once it’s switched on, give it time to reach a safe temperature before you restock it. That usually takes a few hours. It’s a good moment to unpack the rest of the kitchen.
| Step | Why |
|---|---|
| Stand it upright before switching on | Lets the system settle after the move |
| Leave space around it for air flow | Helps it cool efficiently |
| Wait for it to cool before restocking | Keeps food at a safe temperature |
| Check the seals and the level | A level fridge with good seals works properly |
Common fridge-moving mistakes
Most fridge damage comes from a handful of avoidable mistakes:
| Mistake | What can happen | Do this instead |
|---|---|---|
| Moving it full | Spills, broken shelves and a much heavier fridge | Empty it completely |
| Not defrosting | Water leaking in the truck and onto floors | Defrost for at least 24 hours |
| Closing it up damp | Mould and smells | Dry the inside completely |
| Laying it down without checking | Problems when it’s switched back on | Keep it upright and check the manual |
| Switching on straight away | It may not cool properly | Let it stand upright first |
Moving just a fridge
Buying a fridge second-hand, giving one away, or moving one between homes? You don’t need a full house move. Our fridge movers and mini movers services are designed for single items and small loads. Tell us the fridge type, both addresses and the access at each end, and we’ll give you a clear price.
Moving a whole household? The fridge is just one item on the list. Our cubic metre calculator lists fridges alongside everything else, so you can see your total volume and the right truck.
Buying a second-hand fridge
Picking up a fridge from a marketplace sale? Measure it before you go, check it will fit through your doorways and in the kitchen space, and ask the seller to switch it off and defrost it a day before pickup. That makes the pickup quicker and avoids water leaking in the truck.
Fridge moving checklist
- Run down your food in the week before the move.
- Measure the fridge, doorways and the new kitchen space.
- Switch off and defrost at least 24 hours before.
- Clean and dry the inside completely.
- Remove or secure shelves, tape the doors and tie up the cord.
- Disconnect and drain any water line.
- Move it upright on an appliance trolley with two people.
- Let it stand upright before switching on, then let it cool before restocking.
For the rest of the kitchen, see our room-by-room packing guide.
