How to Move a Fridge Safely: Step-by-Step Guide From Shellharbour’s Fridge Removalists (2026)
By the Shellharbour Removals team
The quick answer
Empty the fridge and switch it off at the wall 24 hours before the move so it can defrost. Dry the inside, tape the doors shut, then move it upright on an appliance trolley with two people. Keep it upright in the vehicle, and check your manual for how long it should stand before you switch it back on. If there are stairs or the fridge is heavy, book professional fridge movers.
Key takeaways
- Switch off and empty the fridge 24 hours before the move (one week before if it is going into storage).
- Keep it upright. On a trolley, tilt it no more than 45 degrees.
- If it must lie down, lay it hinge-side up and allow extra standing time.
- Measure every doorway, hall and stair first. Most fridges are 600 to 900 mm wide.
- Call fridge removalists if there are stairs, the fridge is over 80 kg, or the doors need removing.
How to move a fridge step by step
Step 1: Prepare the fridge before moving day
Most of the work happens the day before. Follow this countdown.
Three days out
Eat the fridge down and stop buying fresh food. Freeze gel packs or ice bricks so they are solid for the esky.
24 hours before the move
Switch the fridge off at the wall. CHOICE advises this so the evaporator can defrost and the oils and fluids can settle. Move the food straight into an esky.
The evening before
Take out the shelves and drawers, wrap each in a towel, and wipe the inside completely dry. Leave the doors open on towels for a few hours. If the fridge has an ice maker, turn off the water tap, empty the tray and drain the line into a bucket before disconnecting it. If it is plumbed in and you are unsure, use a licensed plumber.
On moving morning
Tape the doors shut with low-residue painter’s tape and tape the power cord to the back. Cover the fridge with a moving blanket, then strap over the blanket so the finish stays unmarked. Clear the path and lay floor protection.
Need the whole house organised? Use our moving house checklist for Wollongong and the Illawarra.
Step 2: Keep your food safe
The food clock starts the moment you switch off. The Food Safety Information Council’s power-cut guidance is a useful guide: food stays safe for about 2 hours without cooling, should be used straight away between 2 and 4 hours, and should be thrown out after 4 hours.
Pack food into an esky with frozen gel packs, put the coldest items at the bottom, keep it out of the sun, and carry it in your own car. Never leave food in the fridge while it travels. It adds weight, shifts as the fridge tilts and can push the doors open.
Step 3: Gather the right equipment
| Item | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Upright appliance trolley with a ratchet strap | Holds the fridge steady and takes the weight off your back |
| Moving blankets | Protect the fridge and your walls |
| Ratchet straps or rope | Keep it upright and stop it sliding in the vehicle |
| Plywood or thick cardboard | Protects floorboards and tiles from wheel marks and grit |
| Esky and gel packs | Keeps food safe |
| Measuring tape | Checks every doorway and turn before you lift |
Step 4: Measure doorways, halls and stairs
Measure the fridge (height, width, depth, including handles), then every tight spot on the route. Most fridges are 600 to 900 mm wide, and a standard interior doorway gives roughly 770 to 820 mm of clear space. Large side-by-side and French door fridges often will not fit without removing the doors.
- Doorways: measure the clear opening with the door fully open.
- Hall corners and landings: measure diagonally. A fridge on a trolley needs more turning room than it looks.
- Stairs: check step width, turns and ceiling height.
- Vehicle: check load height and the rear opening so the fridge can ride standing up.
- New kitchen cavity: check height, width and depth, plus the ventilation gap in the manual.
Step 5: Move the fridge on a trolley
- Slide the trolley plate under the side of the fridge where possible, not the back. CHOICE’s fridge expert notes the rear base often has little material and can bend.
- Strap the fridge to the trolley and tighten, then roll a few steps and check the strap again.
- Tilt back only as far as needed to roll, and keep it no more than 45 degrees.
- Stand it upright whenever you stop.
- Use short, clear calls like “ready, step, stop”.
Protecting your floors
Residential fridge wheels are small, and a single grain of sand can scratch timber. Lay two sheets of plywood or thick cardboard along the route and leapfrog them as you go.
Can you lay a fridge down to move it?
Short answer: avoid it if you can, but it is possible if you follow the right steps.
Advice online conflicts. Some removalists say never lay a fridge down, while CHOICE says upright is best but accepts it is not always possible. The reason for keeping it upright is that compressor oil and refrigerant need to stay where they belong. If you tilt too far and switch on too soon, the compressor can be damaged.
If the fridge must go down
- Use plenty of padding and strap it so it cannot shift.
- Lay it hinge-side up, so gravity does not swing the doors open.
- Check your manual for which side or back is safe. A flat, clear back is often safest.
- Let it stand upright for the time the manual specifies before switching on. A common conservative rule is 24 hours.
Why French door fridges should stay upright
Wide French door and side-by-side fridges can fall or have their doors swing open if laid on their side. This is one reason we recommend professional fridge movers for these models.
How long should a fridge stand before you plug it in?
Short answer: follow your manual. If you do not have it, wait at least 2 hours after upright transport and 24 hours after it travelled on its side.
This is the question where sources disagree most. Here is how the advice stacks up:
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Travelled upright | CHOICE’s expert says you can switch on straight away. Some removalists and manufacturers suggest about 2 hours. Waiting 2 hours costs nothing and is the cautious choice |
| Travelled on its side or back | Follow the manual. 24 hours upright is the conservative rule |
| Manual not available | Search the model number inside the fridge, or contact the manufacturer |
After you switch it on
Level the fridge using the adjustable feet, leave the ventilation gap from the manual, and keep the door slightly ajar while it stands. After switching on, wait until it is properly cold before restocking. CHOICE notes about 24 hours is typical, and a simple fridge thermometer removes the guesswork.
Moving a fridge up or down stairs, in a ute, or into storage
How to move a fridge up or down stairs
Stairs are where most DIY fridge moves go wrong. You need at least two people, and three is safer for a large fridge.
Going up
The person on the trolley stays on the higher step. Take one step at a time while the helper stays beside and slightly below, guiding rather than lifting.
Coming down
The trolley handler still stays on the higher step, so the fridge is always below them. Stop and re-strap if the strap slips on a damp panel. If the fridge tips, step clear. A dented panel is easier to fix than a back injury.
Safe Work Australia lists sprains, strains and back injuries among the harms of lifting and carrying heavy loads. For steep stairs, townhouses and apartments, professional fridge movers are usually the safer choice.
How to transport a fridge in a ute, van or car
| Vehicle | Tips |
|---|---|
| Removalist truck | Best option. Loaded upright with a ramp or tailgate, strapped to anchor points in a corner |
| Van | Stand it against a wall, strap high and low, and pad the doors |
| Ute or trailer | Strap upright to tie-down points and cover with a tarp if rain is forecast |
| Car boot | Not suitable for most full-size fridges. A bar fridge may fit upright with the seat folded |
Whatever you use, the fridge must stand upright, be strapped so it cannot slide or tip, and sit against a wall of the load space.
Moving a fridge into storage or interstate
- Into storage: switch it off about a week beforehand, clean it and let it dry completely. Store it with the door slightly open to prevent mould and odours.
- Long distance or interstate: the longer the trip, the more important strapping and upright loading become. See our long-distance moving and interstate removalists services.
Moving a fridge when you rent
- Photograph floors, skirting boards and door frames along the route at both homes before you start.
- Photograph the old fridge cavity once it is out, then wipe it clean and dry.
- Check the new cavity against the entry condition report before the fridge goes in.
- Leave a towel under the new spot for the first day and check for drips.
Fridge removalists in Shellharbour: when to hire a professional
DIY or fridge movers: which is right for you?
DIY is realistic when: it is a ground-floor move, you have two or more capable people, a proper trolley, and a vehicle that keeps the fridge upright.
Hire fridge movers when:
- There are stairs, a steep driveway or a tight turn.
- The fridge weighs over about 80 kg.
- The doors need removing to fit.
- Your vehicle cannot keep it upright.
- You are renting and want to protect your bond.
- The fridge is part of a bigger move.
What our appliance removalists handle
Our furniture removalists handle fridges, washing machines and other heavy appliances using blankets, trolleys and straps. If the fridge is going with the rest of the household, our house removalists can include it in the same job. For moving a fridge across town, our local removalists can take it from door to door.
Not sure who to trust? Read how to choose the best removalist in Wollongong, and see our furniture protection tips.
Fridge movers across Shellharbour and the Illawarra
We move fridges and other appliances in Shellharbour, Shell Cove, Albion Park, Oak Flats, Warilla, Kiama and Wollongong. Looking for fridge removalists in Wollongong or a short-notice fridge move? Call us on 0449 994 831 to check availability.
How much do fridge movers charge in Shellharbour?
What affects the price of moving a fridge
| Factor | Effect on price |
|---|---|
| Number of movers needed | Heavier or larger fridges need more people |
| Stairs, lifts or long carries | Adds time and sometimes a surcharge |
| Distance (local, Illawarra, Sydney, interstate) | More driving time or a long-distance quote |
| Single item or part of a full move | A fridge on its own is usually charged at the minimum job rate |
| Door removal or water line disconnection | Adds time, and may need a plumber |
Why the cheapest option is not always cheaper
Repairing a scratched timber floor or replacing a damaged compressor costs far more than a professional move. For a firm price, contact us for a free quote and tell us about the stairs and the fridge size.
Frequently asked questions about moving a fridge
Does a fridge have to stay upright when moving?
Yes, if possible. Keeping it upright stops the compressor oil and refrigerant moving into the wrong place. If it must lie down, lay it hinge-side up and allow extra standing time before switching on.
How long before you can plug in a fridge after moving it?
Follow the manual. If it travelled upright, some experts say you can switch on straight away, while others suggest about 2 hours. If it was on its side, 24 hours upright is the conservative rule.
How long should a fridge be switched off before moving?
About 24 hours before a house move, so it can defrost and dry. For storage, switch it off about a week ahead.
How many people do you need to move a fridge?
At least two, and three for stairs or a large fridge. One person controls the trolley and tilt, the other steadies the fridge and watches the path.
Can you move a fridge with food inside?
No. Food adds weight, shifts as the fridge tilts and can push the doors open. Pack it into an esky with frozen gel packs instead.
Can a fridge go in the back of a ute?
Yes, if it stands upright and is strapped to tie-down points so it cannot slide or tip. Cover it with a tarp if rain is forecast.
Who can move a fridge in Shellharbour?
Shellharbour Removals moves fridges as part of a house or furniture move. Call 0449 994 831 or request a quote to discuss a fridge-only job.
How much do removalists charge to move a fridge?
It depends on the stairs, the fridge size, the distance and whether it is part of a larger move. Ask for a written quote that confirms the number of movers and any stair surcharge.
Book fridge movers in Shellharbour
Shellharbour Removals has 11 years of experience moving homes, offices and furniture across the Illawarra. Call 0449 994 831 or request a free quote.