Moving Tips
How to Move a Refrigerator Successfully
A refrigerator is heavy, tall and surprisingly delicate. With the right tools, a helper and a clear plan, you can move one without damaging the appliance, your home or your back.
Moving Tips · October 6, 2026 · 5 min read
Refrigerators are awkward enough that they often stay behind when a house is sold. In a New York apartment or condo, getting one down the stairs or into a small elevator can feel close to impossible.
If your fridge is coming with you, there is a safe way to do it. The steps below walk you through the process and help reduce the risk of injury.
Best Way to Move a Refrigerator When Moving
Gather these supplies before you start. This is a two-person job at minimum.
Tools and supplies
- Appliance dolly with straps
- Measuring tape
- Screwdriver or drill
- Moving blankets
- Tape, rope or bungee cords
- Furniture sliders
- A helper
Steps for Moving a Refrigerator
- Step 1
Empty, defrost and clean it
Remove all food, then wipe every surface with a mix of baking soda and water. Melt any freezer ice, gently speeding it up with a hair dryer if needed. Turn the fridge off at least eight hours before the move. A small container of activated charcoal inside helps absorb lingering moisture and odors.
- Step 2
Disconnect it according to the manual
If the fridge has an ice maker or water dispenser, shut off and disconnect the water line first. Unplug the unit, coil the cord and tape it to the back. Take out removable glass shelves and drawers and pack them separately; plastic bins can be taped in place. Remove the doors or secure them closed with rope, tape or bungee cords, then wrap the outside in moving blankets.
- Step 3
Plan your route
Measure the height, width and depth of the fridge and compare them with every doorway, hallway, stairwell and elevator along the way. You may need to take room doors off their hinges or remove a railing. Clear every obstacle before you start moving the appliance.
- Step 4
Get the refrigerator onto the dolly
Many fridges have rear rollers that help it slide out of its space. Tilt it forward slightly and slip sliders under the back to protect the floor. Then one person tips the fridge while the other slides the dolly under it from the side. Tighten the straps until the unit is firmly secured.
- Step 5
Tilt it back slowly and move it
One person controls the dolly while the other steadies the fridge as it tilts back. Never go past about 45 degrees. If you need to set it down, do it slowly with both people guiding. On stairs, the person on the dolly goes first, pulling it back one step at a time while the helper keeps the fridge from tipping forward.
- Step 6
Load it onto the truck
Roll the fridge up a ramp or lift gate rather than lifting it; lifting a refrigerator is a fast route to a back injury. Keep it upright rather than laying it on its side, and strap it securely to the truck wall around the top and sides.
Points to Remember When Moving a Fridge
- After you plug it back in, allow roughly 24 to 72 hours for it to reach a safe temperature before you restock food.
- If you are moving several appliances, load the refrigerator last. Keeping it on the dolly means it can be the first item off the truck.
- A refrigerator is a heavy lift even for two people. Never try to move one alone.
If you do not have a capable helper, or the route includes stairs or a tight elevator, professional help is the safer choice. MPs New York's local movers bring the right dollies, straps and padding to move your fridge out of your home, transport it and set it in place at your new address. We handle large appliances and bulky pieces through our furniture movers service too. Request a free quote to get a written price.
Leave the Heavy Lifting to Us
Get a written quote from MPs New York for moving your refrigerator and the rest of your home.