Washing machines are a very important part of your everyday life. It's not always practical to purchase a new washing machine every time you move, but the size and weight of washing machines makes moving them a difficult process. Thankfully, there are a couple of things that you can do to adequately prepare your washing machine to make moving it easier and quicker.

Preparing a Washing Machine for a Move

First, you should run the washing machine on an empty cycle with the water set to hot. You should also add in a disinfectant, like household bleach, to clean out any bacteria or mold spores that may be inside your washing machine.

After the cycle's done, you should leave your washing machine open overnight to let the interior dry.

Then, you can turn the water to the washing machine off. You can do this by turning the valve located behind the washing machine counter-clockwise. Most washing machines will have two valves, one for hot water and one for cold.

Next, you'll want to turn the power off to your washing machine at the breaker box of your home. This is for safety, so you can work on the washing machine without worrying about electrocution.

Next, unplug the washing machine, and disconnect the water supply hoses from the valves and the washing machine itself. To do this, you'll want to use a pair of pliers to pull them loose. You'll want to make sure that you have a bucket underneath the hose to ensure that any water that remains in them doesn't spill. You can move the hoses separately or leave them within the washing machine's drum.

Once the washing machine has been unplugged and the hoses removed, you can start packing the washing machine itself. You'll want to install washer locks, which will keep the drum of the washing machine from moving and potentially becoming damaged while in transit. Check your owner's manual – usually, holding the drum in place can be done by placing cardboard in a certain location, but depending on the make and model of your washing machine you may need to purchase special locks from a hardware store. You'll also want to tape the lid of the washing machine shut so it does not open, and tape up the cords to avoid tripping over them while moving.

Next, all you have to do is wrap the washing machine in blankets to cushion it against physical damage, and you are good to put it on a dolly and load it into the moving truck.

For more information on moving tips, or to hire a professional service to do the work for you, contact a business like Two Guys Moving.