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Tips for Appliance Storage

How To

February 20, 2020


5 min

Two movers moving a washing machine

The hardest items in the home to prepare for storage or moving are appliances. Appliances such as washers and dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, or microwaves are often awkward to move. If you want your appliances to be easily set-up in your new home, you need to follow the proper steps in moving and storage.

Kitchen Appliance Storage Tips

This post focuses on tips for preparing and moving refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers and microwaves.

  • Review manufacturer approved instructions: Check manufacturer’s instructions for specific storage/moving information for each appliance before you start the moving process. Some of the preparation needed will be specific for a particular appliance. Other appliances can follow general preparation tips.
  • Ensure the appliance is clean: For any appliance, the most important thing to do before moving is a thorough cleaning. This means removing all food and scrubbing the appliance inside and out. When moving appliances, place them last on the truck, so they will be the removed first at the new home or storage facility.
  • Use a storage unit that can control the climate: Fluctuations in temperature can cause permanent damage to your appliance. To prevent temperature damage, use a storage unit that can control the climate.

How to Move a Refrigerator

Looking for the best way to store a fridge? Read below.

  1. Defrost the refrigerator: Defrost refrigerator at least 3 days before moving. Drain the icemakers and water supplies and allow them to thoroughly dry.
  2. Wash the refrigerator: Remove the trays and drawers from the refrigerator and clean with a mild detergent. Wash down the inside of the refrigerator with a mild detergent. Dust or vacuum the coils on the outside of the refrigerator.
  3. Always keep the refrigerator upright: When moving the refrigerator, transport upright. Placing the refrigerator on its side could damage some of the refrigeration coils.
  4. Keep the doors open in storage: Tape the doors shut while in transit. When it is placed in a storage unit, remove the tape and leave the door slightly ajar to prevent moisture build-up.

How to Store a Stove

Find essential tips for storing a stove below.

  1. Clean the stove: Before cleaning, remove any pans (broiler pan) from the inside of the stove. Clean the stove inside and out.
  2. Disconnect the stove: If it is a gas stove, have a professional turn off the gas and disengage the piping. Place the piping inside the stove for safe keeping. If it is an electric stove, it can just be unplugged when you are moving.
  3. Secure the knobs, cord and door: Tape down the knobs on the stove to prevent them from becoming loose in transit. For ease of moving, tape the plug to the side of the appliance for transport. To prevent the doors opening during storage, tape them shut.
  4. Wrap the appliance: Prevent scratches or other damage by wrapping the appliance for storage and transportation.

How to Store a Dishwasher

Looking for information on how to store a dishwasher? Read below.

  1. Unplug and thoroughly clean the dishwasher: Before moving and storing your dishwasher, it’s important to make sure it’s completely clean. To do this, put baking soda inside of the detergent cups inside of the dishwasher and run a normal rinse. This will help to remove any caked on grime from the detergent. Once the dishwasher is clean, unplug it and let the dishwasher air dry for at least 24 hours before packing it for moving.
  2. Disconnect and clean the hoses: Once these are dry, wrap them in towels or newsprint for protection. Place the hoses inside the dishwasher for easy access. Leave the dishwasher door open for a little bit of time before moving.
  3. Secure the cord: Tape the cord onto the side of the dishwasher for transport. Additionally, secure the dishwasher door shut during storage to prevent damage.
  4. Wrap the appliance for moving: To prevent scratches and other damage, wrap the dishwasher in moving blankets.
  5. Keep the door open: To prevent mold and mildew from forming, keep the dishwasher door open in storage.

How to Store a Microwave

Looking for microwave storage tips? Learn the top tips for storing a microwave below.

  1. Clean the microwave: Remove the glass turntable inside the microwave and thoroughly clean the microwave inside and out.
  2. Pack up the microwave: If possible, place the microwave back in its original packaging. If the original packaging is not available, the microwave can be stored in a very sturdy cardboard box. Make sure to add lots of filler material (newsprint, bubble wrap, or linens) to give extra protection.
  3. Wrap the glass plate: The glass plate inside of the microwave is surprisingly fragile. To prevent it from breaking, wrap it up.
  4. Secure the door shut: Tape the glass door shut during transport with the cords on taped on the side of the appliance.
  5. Keep the microwave upright: Storing your microwave long-term on its side can damage the internal components inside of the appliance. To keep this from happening, always store your microwave upright.
  6. Open the door: Similar to storing other appliances, always keep the door of the microwave open in storage. This will prevent moisture from getting trapped inside of the appliance, which can cause mold and mildew to form.

Are You Ready to Find a Storage Location Near You?

ezStorage has storage facilities in Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, Columbia, MD and Virginia.

ezStorage Has Self Storage in Baltimore, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC

Self storage is a great home storage solution for short-term and long-term storage for appliances. By properly preparing them for moving or storage, you will be able to keep the items in good working order when you need them.

For the convenience of our customers, we’ve recently added a contactless rental option. This allows our customers to rent a storage unit from the convenience of their own homes. Stop by any of our Baltimore, Northern Virginia, and Washington D.C. area ezStorage locations to see how we can help with your storage needs! We have a variety of storage unit sizes to fit household goods, clothing, appliances and furniture. Reserve a storage unit with ezStorage today!

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