Moving in Tacoma usually means navigating narrow staircases in North End Victorians or tight hallways in South Hill apartments. When you’re staring down a 300-pound refrigerator, it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed.
At Home2Home Moving, we’ve seen it all. We know your appliances aren’t just machines—they’re big investments that keep your life running. Whether you’re moving a commercial freezer or your trusty family washer, a little “pre-move love” goes a long way in preventing a disaster.
Here is our honest, no-fluff guide to getting your big-ticket items ready for their new home.
1. The Refrigerator & Freezer: The 48-Hour Rule
The biggest mistake people make? Waiting until moving morning to empty the fridge.
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The Big Chill (Out): You need to empty and unplug everything at least 24 to 48 hours before we arrive.
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Dry it Out: Defrosting is messy. Put a towel at the base to catch the melt-water so you don’t end up with a slip-and-slide in your kitchen.
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The “Loose Parts” Trap: Take out the glass shelves and crisper drawers. If they rattle around during the drive, they will break. Wrap them separately in bubble wrap.
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Tape it Up: Never trust the door seal to stay shut on the road. Use painter’s tape or moving straps to keep those doors from swinging open.
2. The Washing Machine: Protect the “Heart”
Washers are surprisingly delicate. If that drum bounces around too much on I-5, it can snap the internal suspension.
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The “Secret” Bolts: If you still have your transit bolts (those long metal pins that came with the machine), now is the time to dig them out of the junk drawer. They lock the drum in place.
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Drain Every Drop: There’s always “hidden” water in the hoses and the pump filter. Drain it into a bucket unless you want a soggy moving truck.
3. The Dryer: Safety First
Dryers are a bit more straightforward, but they have one major rule: Watch the gas.
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Gas Lines: If you have a gas dryer, we highly recommend calling a professional to disconnect it. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to gas seals.
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The Lint Factor: Give the vent hose a good shake-out. It’s a great time to start fresh without five years of lint following you to the new house.
4. The Dishwasher & Oven: The Final Scrub
These two are often forgotten until the last minute.
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Dishwashers: Run a cleaning cycle with vinegar a few days before. Make sure the racks are taped down so they don’t slide back and forth.
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Ovens: Remove the racks! They are heavy and can scratch the interior enamel if they’re jumping around. Also, give it a quick wipe-down—trust us, you don’t want “old grease” smell filling up the moving truck.
Pro Tips for a Stress-Free Load-In
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Measure Twice, Squeeze Once: Tacoma homes are charming, but their doorways can be tiny. Measure your appliance and the doorway. If we have to take a door off the hinges, it’s better to know that at 8:00 AM rather than 4:00 PM.
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Stay Upright: This is huge for fridges. If you lay a refrigerator on its side, the cooling fluids can migrate where they shouldn’t. Keep it standing tall.
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Label the Small Stuff: Put all the screws, brackets, and specific cords into a Ziploc bag and tape it directly to the back of the appliance. You’ll thank yourself when you’re trying to hook things up at 9:00 PM in the new place.
When to Call in the Pros
Look, we get it. Moving a stove is exhausting, and moving a commercial-grade laundry unit is a workout even for us!
If the idea of maneuvering a dolly down a flight of stairs makes your knees ache, give Home2Home Moving a shout. We have the straps, the ramps, and the experience to handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on the more important things—like figuring out where the best coffee shop is in your new neighborhood.
Ready to move? Let’s get those heavy hitters safely to your new front door.