Moving your washing machine: a summary of all the tips
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Have you ever tried lifting an object weighing 220 lbs?
No? Well, that's exactly what you'll face if you plan on moving your washing machine.
Yes, the washing machine is one of the most difficult items to move: it's super heavy, very bulky, and quite fragile.
Luckily, here at Yoojo, I’ve thought of everything, and I’ve asked our best-rated movers to share their top tips and solutions for transporting your washing machine without hurting your back or damaging your appliance.
Here, you'll find all the steps to take before moving your washing machine, plus loads of advice on how to move your machine if you're on your own, or if you don't have a van available.
And for those of you who prefer not to read, here's a video summary of some tips I'm going to share in this article:
The 4 essential steps before moving your washing machine
1. Check the weight of your washing machine
Did you know that a washing machine can weigh up to 220 lbs?
Yes, it's even one of the heaviest appliances in your home...
So, when it comes to moving it, careful planning is a must!
The weight of a washing machine is mainly due to its drum (the part that spins) and a counterweight, often made of concrete, which keeps it stable during the wash cycle.
The first step in moving your washing machine is to know the weight of your appliance, so you can plan its transport and handling better.
To help you estimate, here’s a comparison table:
| Type of appliance | Weight |
|---|---|
| Small washing machine | 110 - 130 lbs |
| Top-loading washing machine | 130 - 150 lbs |
| Front-loading washing machine | 150 - 220 lbs |
| Large capacity washing machine | 220 lbs and above |
Got an idea of your washing machine's weight?
If so, let's move on to step two: draining !
2. Draining your washing machine
Before transporting your washing machine, it's imperative to drain it, which means emptying all the water inside.
Here’s why:
Avoid water leaks during transport
Reduce the weight of the appliance (it's already heavy)
Clean the filter (it's a good opportunity to do it!)
And because a video is worth a thousand words, here are a few tutorials to help you drain your appliance in no time!
Before doing anything, make sure to unplug your washing machine!
how to drain a front-loading washing machine
how to drain a top-loading washing machine
Once your machine is drained, it's time for the next step!
3. Securing your washing machine's drum
The drum is the most sensitive part of the washing machine.
It's balanced on shock absorbers (sort of like springs), which allow it to spin quickly to wash and spin-dry your clothes without throwing the appliance off balance.
Here’s how it works:
So, if you shake the machine around too much (like during a move...), the drum can quickly get damaged.
That can severely impact its functioning, or even render it unusable!
And let’s be honest, with the cost of a washing machine, I’d rather not have to buy a new one...
Before moving your washing machine, it’s vital to secure the drum. Here are two ways to do it:
Case 1: you have a drum-locking system
Usually, it's super simple:
Your washing machine likely came with a drum-locking system.
Most of the time, it consists of 3 or 4 transport bolts that you just need to install at the back of the machine.
circled in red, the transport bolt locations at the back of your appliance
Found them? Great! Now you can protect your machine before transport.
But that’s only in the best case... In reality, we often have no idea where those bolts have gone!
No worries! I’ve got solutions!
Case 2: you don’t have (or no longer have) a drum-locking system
Looked everywhere and can’t find the original transport bolts?
No problem, there are other ways.
The goal is to secure the drum as best as possible inside your washing machine to prevent it from moving during transport.
Here’s how to do it:
grab blankets, towels, or polystyrene—basically anything you can find.
if your machine has an opening at the bottom, tilt it, and stuff towels underneath the drum to keep it from moving. Be careful not to mess with the electrical wires. If not, grab your screwdriver! You’ll need to remove a panel: the rear or top panel for a front-loader, or the side panel for a top-loader.
stuff the area around the drum with towels to make sure it doesn’t move during transport!
you can place blankets on the sides of the drum to keep it from moving
re-attach the panel you just removed, if applicable.
Doing all of this can be a real hassle! You could easily lose a part, damage the system, or worst of all... waste a lot of time.
Especially if you’re like me and barely know how to use a hammer: you're more likely to damage your machine than protect it!
Luckily, on Yoojo, there are pros ready to help you move who have all the equipment you need (yes, even spare transport bolts 👍).
Here are a few examples of clients who used Yoojo to move their washing machine:
Example 1: installing a small washing machine
In Bromley, a client got help unplugging and moving their small appliance.
💰 service cost: £24.50
Example 2: unplugging and moving a washing machine
In Norwich, a client booked two service providers to unplug their washing machine and install it in their new home.
💰 service cost: £33
Find help to move your washing machine
4. Protecting your machine completely
The last step before moving your washing machine is to protect it well.
Yes, it's fragile and expensive, so it's important to be extra careful!
Don't forget:
to secure the power cord against the machine with tape
to protect the door with bubble wrap and make sure it doesn’t open during transit by securing it with tape
to use cardboard to protect the appliance's corners
to wrap the machine with moving blankets and bubble wrap to absorb any shocks!
And that's it, your machine is ready to be transported safely!
How to move your washing machine up and down stairs?
Moving an object weighing over 176 lbs isn’t something I’d want to do every day.
Especially when I live on the 6th floor with no lift, and have no suitable equipment!
Unfortunately, not everyone has a heavy-duty dolly at home…
Yet, it's often essential for moving a washing machine.
But don't worry, I’ve got some tips for you.
How to move a washing machine without a dolly
A good alternative to a dolly is to invest in moving straps.
These are straps placed under the appliance and around your arms or shoulders to help you lift and move a large appliance more easily.
Here’s a video explaining how to use lifting straps:
However, there are a few downsides:
❌ They’re not cheap! (Expect to pay at least £26 for decent-quality straps)
❌ You need two people: one on each side
❌ It’s tricky to choose the right length, weight capacity, and brand…
Find someone to move it for you
Alternatively, Yoojo can connect you with movers near you who already have the proper equipment and experience moving washing machines up and down stairs!
And here’s why:
✅ it’s easier: fill in a free form in minutes, and I’ll connect you with service providers near you.
💷 it’s cheaper: rather than buying equipment you’ll never use again, with Yoojo you pay for the service by the hour, only if you book someone.
🔒 it’s safer: minimise the risk of injury by hiring professionals who already have a dolly or straps.
💪 it’s extra helping hands: and trust me, you’ll need them given the weight of the machine!
How Yoojo has helped people move their washing machine
Interested in our service? Here are examples of clients who used our platform to move their washing machine, and how much it cost them:
example 1: moving a washing machine with a dolly
A client got help moving their 200 lbs washing machine. The provider even brought their own dolly to make the job easier.
💰 cost of service: £20
example 2: no lift? no problem
In London, a client had their washing machine moved up to the 4th floor without a lift, with the help of extra hands.
💰 cost of service: £24.50
How to move your washing machine when you're on your own?
Moving alone?
That sounds tricky...
It's strongly advised not to move a washing machine alone.
For one, it’s impossible to carry 220 lbs on your own (unless you lift weights every night at the gym, but that’s not for everyone).
Plus, you risk injuring yourself (not to mention damaging your appliance).
Lastly, a washing machine has no convenient handles for carrying, so two people is the minimum you’ll need.
Need extra hands?
At Yoojo, finding extra hands to help you is simple and fast:
⏱️ Post a request for free in 10 minutes
🔧 We send it to the most qualified and equipped providers near you
💪 You compare and select the helpers you need based on their reviews
📅 The helpers come to move your appliance at the agreed time and date
🔒 Finally, you pay them through our secure platform once the job is done!
want to know more?
Here are 3 examples of people in the same situation as you who used Yoojo:
3xample 1: moving up a narrow staircase
In Exeter, a client had their washing machine moved up 4 flights of a narrow spiral staircase.
💰 cost of service: £16
3xample 2: help for someone living alone
This young woman easily found someone to move her appliance up 4 flights with no lift.
💰 cost of service: £20
ask for help moving your washing machine
Can you move a washing machine in a car?
This is a question I get a lot... let me explain!
Tilting a washing machine to transport it?
A washing machine is fragile and needs to be handled with care.
Generally, it’s not recommended to transport it lying down, especially if the drum isn’t secured with the original transport bolts, or worse, not secured at all!
But unless you have a van available, there’s no way a washing machine will fit upright in the boot of a small car.
Can't fit your washing machine in your car?
The best option is to have access to a properly sized vehicle to transport the washing machine upright.
And that’s where Yoojo comes in!
We offer a washing machine transport service tailored to your needs.
It’s simple:
- You post a free request on our platform
- You select the perfect driver based on vehicle size, ratings, and reviews
- The driver comes to pick up your washing machine directly from your home and helps you transport it to your chosen destination
- And you only pay once everything’s done!
Here are examples of Yoojo clients who transported their washing machines for less than £85:
Example 1: moving some light furniture
Clients transported their furniture, including some appliances.
💰 Cost of service: £50 for 3 hours of service
example 2: long-distance move
A client completed a long-distance move with a 15 m³ van, perfect for transporting appliances.
💰 Cost of service: £84 for 5 hours of service
discover our van hire service with driver
How to reconnect your washing machine once it arrives?
Finally, your washing machine has arrived safely at your new home!
Unlike moving a fridge, there’s no need to wait between moving your washing machine and using it for the first time.
But there’s still one important step not to forget:
Remove the drum locking system
just unscrew the bolts, it’s that easy!
Never start a wash without removing the transport bolts, as it could severely damage your washing machine!
Here’s a great video showing you how to remove the locking bolts from your washing machine in no time:
In summary
Moving your washing machine is easier than you think!
Here’s the key takeaway for avoiding damage:
- Handle it carefully
- Don’t forget to lock the drum during transport
If you need help moving your washing machine, just get in touch with the pros on Yoojo!
- Posting a job on Yoojo is free and with no obligation
- You only pay if you book a service provider
- You can chat with providers before making a booking
- Option to book for as little as 1 hour of service
- Our community helps you choose with ratings and reviews on each provider's profile
- We only send your request to qualified and available providers
- You release the payment once the job is completed
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