How to Move a Washer and Dryer

Washers and dryers are some of the largest, bulkiest, and most delicate appliances that require the right tools and know-how to move. They can weigh anywhere from 120 to 350 pounds. This heavy-duty duo can make some want to throw in the towel when it comes to moving them.

Moving a washer and dryer takes specialized equipment, extra planning, additional space, and some serious strength. Looking for an affordable way to move a washer and dryer and not lift a finger? Moving Help® is a fantastic way to move them without breaking a sweat at an affordable price.

This job is done the safest and quickest with two moving experts, but if you need instructions on how to move a washer and dryer yourself, you’ve come to the right place.

For a stacked washer and dryer, it is highly recommended to have moving professionals handle this task.

Here are the tools you’ll need to move your washer and dryer:

Appliance Dolly (Rentable with Reservation) OR Forearm Forklift
Mover’s Wrap (15” or 20”)
Furniture Pads (Rentable with Reservation)
Furniture Sliders

How to Move a Washing Machine:

1. Prep the Washer

Run a cleaning cycle on your washer two or three days before moving it. If your washer doesn’t have a cleaning cycle, run a hot cycle with a half cup of baking soda. After that, run a hot cycle with two cups of distilled white vinegar.

Empty, sanitize, and dry the washer’s filter, leaving the washer door open to allow the drum to dry completely, avoiding any mold or mildew during transit.

Pro-Tip: If your washer has a rubber seal, get a toothbrush, distilled white vinegar, then scrub and wipe out the seal with paper towels so no odors infiltrate your new home.

2. Disconnect the Washer's Power and Water

Before unplugging your washer, be sure to first turn off the breaker connected to the unit's outlet. Once disconnected from the breaker, carefully place two furniture sliders next to both corners and tilt the washer up while placing the furniture sliders underneath the corners to move the washer away from the wall.

IMPORTANT! Specific furniture sliders are designed for specific floor materials.

• ONLY use plastic furniture sliders for carpets and rugs.
• ONLY use felt sliders for laminate/wood/tile materials to reduce the risk of damaging your floor.

These Furniture Sliders come with both plastic and felt in varying sizes, giving you more flexibility.

Pull the washer far enough away from the wall to safely access the rear of the unit. This will allow easier access to the plug-in and water hoses.

Once you have unplugged your washer, secure the power cord to the rear of the washer with some painter’s tape. Then, turn off both water valves (blue and red) and place a bucket and some towels underneath the washer’s water connection valves located on the bottom of the washer. Unscrew the water connection valves by hand or with pliers.

3. Stabilize the Washer

Your washer should have come equipped with transit bolts. When inserted, these bolts keep the drum of the washer stationary, making sure the drum doesn’t bounce around, potentially causing damage while moving. 

Re-insert these bolts before moving the washer to prevent damage.

If your washer did not come with transit bolts, you can instead wedge a few pieces of Styrofoam board in between the drum and the frame. Another option is to purchase the original transit bolts your washer came with from a secondary seller. 

4. Protect Your Washing Maching

To avoid any scratches or dents to your washer, wrap it on the top and sides with thick Furniture Pads. Apply a few layers of Mover’s Wrap to keep the moving pads in place.

If your washer has an agitator in the middle of the drum, place a few pillows or blankets around it, keeping it in place.

Tilt the washer on one side while placing two more furniture sliders underneath the corners, so all four corners have furniture sliders. Move the washer to an appropriate area where an appliance dolly or Forearm Forklift can be safely used.

5. Loading and Moving the Washer

If using an appliance dolly:

Slide your washer onto an appliance Dolly and secure the washer using a ratchet strap.

Now, you can begin moving your washer.

Before moving day, try to coordinate some extra help. To ensure a quick and safe move with an appliance dolly, have one person help tilt the appliance dolly while the other holds the dolly to prevent it from falling. Have one person pulling the dolly, as well as at least one spotter to clear a path for whoever is pulling. Pulling is always easier than pushing.

When setting down the washer, have the spotter stand in front of the dryer, walking their hands down and pushing toward the dolly, ensuring the safest drop.

If using the Forearm Forklift:

With the Forearm Forklift, one person tilts the washer, and the other person places one strap underneath. Follow the same steps for the other side.

Once completed, cross the straps over each other and insert both arms into the provided holes in the straps. Both people should bend their knees while keeping their backs straight and lifting the washer at the same time.

Slowly move the washer onto the moving truck/trailer and communi

cate constantly about where the washer is moving.

When placing the washer back down, bend the knees and keep the back straight while slowly lowering the washer.

How to Move a Dryer:

1. Unplug the Dryer

Just like when you unplugged your washer, be sure to first turn off the breaker associated with the dryer's outlet. Then repeat the same steps with the washer, using Furniture Sliders to easily access the rear of the dryer.

Once the power is disconnected, you can unplug the dryer and secure the plug to the side of the machine with some painter’s tape.

Disconnect the dryer vent hose from the wall by removing the collar and any tape. To remove the collar, use a small wrench or socket screwdriver (the most common size is 10mm).

Then, disconnect the dryer hose from the dryer, repeating the same steps above.

Once everything has been disconnected, place the additional furniture sliders under the other corners.

2. Protect Your Dryer

Keep your dryer dent and scratch-free while moving it by placing heavy-duty Furniture Pads around and over the top, securing it to the dryer with Mover’s Wrap.

3. Loading and Moving the Dryer

If using an appliance dolly:

Carefully slide your dryer onto an appliance dolly and then secure it to the dolly using a ratchet strap. Have one person tilt the dryer onto the dolly and have someone else pull the dolly.

Apply the same steps as when moving and placing down a washer.

If using the Forearm Forklift:

With the Forearm Forklift, have one person tilt the dryer, while the other person lays a strap underneath. Repeat on the other side, then cross the strap, and have both people put their arms through the provided loops.

Follow the same steps above when moving a washer with the Forearm Forklift.

Know When to Get Assistance

Take your time when moving your washer and dryer; accidents tend to occur when moving large equipment in a rush. If at any point you feel unsafe or unequipped, feel free to have your machines moved for you with same-day labor from Moving Help.