PACKING YOUR FRIDGE AND FREEZER SAFELY WHEN MOVING HOUSES

Moving houses is a major decision and comes with a lot of work and planning. Packing all your household items safely for the move is one of the most important steps of a move and also a tricky step. There are a lot of things you need to know and understand before you start packing your belongings. The kitchen, especially the fridge, is usually the most tedious and time-consuming room in the house to pack. How can you pack your fridge safely and without much hassles? 

Packing your fridge and freezer safely for a move

To begin with, check the owner manual for your fridge and freezer to see if there are any specific moving instructions you need to follow. If you do not have the owner manual with you, you can contact the dealer or a brand for specific instructions for moving these appliances. However, these are some common steps for packing your fridge and freezer that you should keep in mind: 

• Empty the fridge: This is the first step in the packing process. You need to empty your fridge and freezer of all their contents at least a day before you move. This would mean that you will not be able to store perishable items once they are removed from the fridge. To avoid wasting food, plan your move well in advance so you can start using all the perishable food items in the fridge and freezer and finish them before moving day. 
• Unplug the appliances: Ideally, you should unplug both your fridge and freezer at least a day before you move. This ensures that the appliances are defrosted, there is no water leaking out, and the oils and fluids from the compressor are settled and not circulating when the appliance is being moved. Unplugging will also give you time to pack up the power cord safely and secure the shelves for moving.  
• Defrost for a day: This goes hand in hand with unplugging the appliances. Depending on how icy the appliances are, you might need to give up to a day for defrosting before your move. When defrosting, ensure you place towels around the fridge and freezer on the floor to absorb any water that leaks out as the ice melts. You do not want to be trudging through water in your kitchen on the day of your move. 
• Seal doors and secure shelves: When moving, you do not want your fridge or freezer falling open while being carried or transported. To avoid such a scenario, seal all the doors of your appliances with masking tape. Before sealing the doors, you must ensure that all the shelves inside the appliances are either removed or secured in place using tape. This will not only make the appliances easy to carry but will also ensure that the shelves are not broken or damaged during the move. 
• Hire professional movers: If you are unsure about packing the appliances on your own, it is a good idea to hire professional packing and moving company. Professionals can ensure that your fridge and freezer are packed well, moved correctly, and installed safely in your new house. It will also ensure that your appliances do not get damaged during the move and are ready for use right away in your new home. 

Packing all the food from the fridge and freezer

• Try to use all frozen foods and perishable items before you move so you do not have to throw away food when moving. 
• Use items that are about to expire before other items that can be kept for longer and taken to your new house. 
• Pack items like flour, sugar, and salt in sealed containers or locking bags to ensure there is no spillage. 
• Avoid carrying oil and sauces, especially in glass bottles and opened cans, as much as possible as they can leak and get messy. 
• Do not pack food in oversized boxes as the boxes can get really heavy and difficult to handle during the move. 
• If you are moving your spices or other items that look similar into storage containers, ensure you label them to avoid confusion later on. 
• If you have a lot of leftover food and you know you will not be able to finish all of it before your move, you can give it away instead of throwing away perfectly good food. 
• Get a cooler so you can carry perishable items that you do not want to trow way or use immediately. This will also help keep essentials handy when you get to your new house. 

Packing can be tricky, tiring, and tedious, but you can save yourself a lot of time and hassle if you plan your move well in advance and work towards it. Planning beforehand can also help you finish all your perishable food well in time, so you can avoid food wastage.