Appliances

Moving appliances from one home to another requires know-how and a great deal of coordination.

A moving company will do all of the heavy work -- the actual transporting of your appliances from your home into the van and then safely out of the van into your new residence. However, the preparation of major appliances and other home furnishings is an important activity for you to schedule.

When planning the many important details of a move, be sure to properly prepare for the transportation of major appliances and other home furnishings. Depending upon the item, special precautions may be required.

It’s your responsibility to:

Take care of these preparations yourself

Hire an appropriate technician

Request that the moving company make the arrangements for you at an additional charge

Servicing

“Servicing” means preparing appliances so they will safely withstand handling during transit or while in storage. This process can include bracing a washer tub, disconnecting an ice maker, capping off a gas line, and special handling of satellite dish components.

Responsibility for Servicing

The Appliance Service Company Representative

Prepares the appliances for safe handling prior to transit and/or shipment.

The Gas Company Service Representative

Disconnects gas lines and caps the pipes.

The Moving Company

Provides personnel for careful, efficient handling of appliances during a move. Every effort is made to ensure that

appliances reach destination safely.

Will, as requested and authorized by the owner, arrange for any servicing required. However, the moving company does not automatically assume this responsibility.

The Owner

Assumes responsibility for having appliances properly serviced, both at origin and destination. It is best to have a

reputable service representative prepare appliances for moving at least one day before they are to be loaded on the van.

May authorize the moving company to arrange for appliance servicing. This is an accessories or third-party service which will be added to the Bill of Lading as an additional cost or advanced charge.

Preparation of Major Appliances

Thorough cleaning and drying of appliances, particularly the refrigerator, freezer and range, are necessary. This is especially important if they will be in storage for any length of time.

Cleaning instructions are included in the owner’s manual which accompanies new appliances. If no instructions are available, use a mild detergent solution. Or, use a solution of three quarts of warm water to which one tablespoon of vinegar has been added. Do not use harsh abrasives that will scratch or mar finishes. A soft cloth or vacuum cleaner will remove excess dust. Soft rags make excellent drying and polishing cloths.

The following are general guidelines for cleaning and servicing major appliances. If your owner’s manual provides other directions, please follow them.

Dishwasher

Cleaning

Wipe off the control panel with a dampened cloth.

An appliance polishing wax can be lightly applied to the cabinet finish.

The interior normally does not need cleaning unless you see a buildup of food or soap.

Leave the door open for several hours to ensure that the appliance is thoroughly dry.

Servicing

Shut off the electric and water supplies.

Disconnect and drain the hoses. Then wrap dry hoses with towels or packing paper, and place inside the dishwasher.

Disconnect and drain the water inlet line and water valve.

Sponge any remaining water from the bottom of the dishwasher (if applicable, removing any pump cover inside the appliance and wiping dry).

Automatic Washer

Cleaning

Use a soft cloth and appliance cleaner to wipe off the exterior.

On the inside, clean lint filter and tub with a soft dry cloth.

Leave the lid open so that any moisture will evaporate.

Servicing

Turn off water faucets, disconnect and drain hoses.

Wrap the metal connector ends of hoses in a towel and place inside the washer.

To ensure the safe transport of your washer, it should be serviced to prevent swaying of the tub.

Regardless of the time of year you move, all water should be drained from the tub because shipments can travel through a variety of climates and terrain.

Ask your mover about third-party appliance servicing. There are more than 20 different washer moving kits available from various appliance manufacturers. The cost for third-party servicing is nominal, especially for the protection it provides to your washer. After your move, be sure to have the washer connected by a qualified installer

Dryer

Cleaning

Unplug the dryer or turn off the electrical power to the appliance.

Remove any debris from the lint screen with your fingers or a dry paper towel. Do not use water on the screen.

Wipe off the exterior with an appliance cleaner and soft damp cloth.

You can remove dust from the interior with a damp sponge.

If the dryer drum is discolored, try a mild liquid household cleaner or a paste of laundry detergent and warm water. Rub the area until the discoloration is removed. Wipe thoroughly. Then reconnect to electricity and operate the dryer with a load of old rags to remove any soap residue and to thoroughly dry the drum. Remove the rags when finished.

Servicing

Disconnect the electrical supply to the appliance.

For a gas dryer, the appliance should be disconnected and the gas line capped off before your moving day by a qualified service technician.

At destination, use a qualified installer who is familiar with requirements for gas and or electricity, as well as the exhaust system.

Range

Cleaning

Wipe off the outer surface of the range with a mild detergent.

Detach and wash in hot soapy water any removable parts such as knobs, drip pans, grates, broiler pan and oven racks.

Plug-in coils for an electric range should not be immersed in water; spills on these units normally burn away as heated.

If your range top can be raised, clean the area underneath with hot soapy water.

Clean all removable items before packing day so they can be wrapped and placed in a carton or any storage compartment on the range.

Before placing any chemicals inside your oven, determine if it is self-cleaning.

Be sure to follow guidelines listed in your owner’s manual, or call the appliance manufacturer for information on our specific model.

Servicing

For a gas range, it must be disconnected prior to moving day by a qualified service technician. At destination, you will need a qualified gas installer to check your gas supply, connect the range to the gas line, seal any openings, light the pilot and handle any other hook-up procedures.

For an electric range, generally no servicing at origin is required. However when you reach destination, have your power supply checked for the current electrical requirements. Certain ranges, such as those with air-ventilated grills, vary on the voltage they require.

Refrigerator

Cleaning

Use a cloth and mild detergent to wipe off the exterior finish.

Before cleaning the interior, dispose of perishables and unplug the power cord.

Wash removable parts such as shelves and drawers with a mild detergent or in a solution of warm water and baking soda (about one tablespoon of baking soda to one quart of water). Ice trays and ice storage bins should be washed in lukewarm water only.

Wash the interior walls and any non-removable parts with a mild detergent or baking soda solution.

Leave the door open for at least 24 hours. Allowing all moisture to evaporate. If your refrigerator is not a frost-free model, allow extra time to complete defrosting and drying.

Secure all loose plastic parts.

Glass shelves should be removed, cleaned and carefully packed in a carton for protection during transit.

Double-check the butter and egg compartments; be sure the appliance is totally empty and clean. A refrigerator which is not cleaned before transit can develop an unpleasant, permanent odor, making the appliance unusable at destination.

After cleaning, place an odor and mildew preventative in your refrigerator.

At the bottom of the refrigerator, remove the base covering and vacuum the condenser or compressor.

Empty and clean the evaporator pan; allow time for it to dry.

Servicing

Turn off the water and disconnect the water line if you have a cold water dispenser or automatic ice maker. You should also empty the water reservoir.

If your refrigerator is an older model, you may need to have the motor or compressor bolted down. The majority of refrigerators now are sealed units that do not require this service.

At destination, do not operate the refrigerator for at least 24 hours after delivery. This allows the oil time to settle, preventing possible damage to the compressor.

Ice makers and water dispensers must be connected to a water line. Installation service or parts can be obtained from an authorized dealer for your appliance. Copper tubing, a shut-off valve and fittings may be required. Once your ice maker is in service, dispose of the first few batches of ice because of possible impurities from opening a water line.

Freezers

Ideally, freezers should be empty during a move for the following reasons:

Home freezers were not designed to be used as shipping containers. The weight of food during the move can crack plastic shelves or the molding inside the freezer.

Frozen foods are highly perishable. There is no way to ensure that the freezer temperature will remain at a safe level during transit. By not transporting frozen foods, we are helping to safeguard you and your family's health.

Vans have no electric power to keep freezers running, nor can a van operator stop along the route to connect a freezer to a power source.

Regardless of the precautions taken, frozen foods will almost certainly deteriorate on a loaded household goods moving van.

The lining and insulation of the freezer can absorb bad odors from spoiled food which may be impossible to eliminate and render the freezer unusable.

Be sure to consult your mover if you have special questions or concerns. Proper preparation

prior to a move will ensure the enjoyment of your appliances for many years to come.

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