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How to Pack a Dishwasher for Moving

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Many homes and apartments come readily equipped with dishwashers in their kitchens and hence relocating with one is not very common. However, if your new house doesn't have a new dishwasher and you do have to move the old one, it helps to know exactly how to pack and move the appliance safely.

Pack a Dishwasher for Moving

Mentioned below are some helpful tips and advice on how to pack a dishwasher for moving.

Preparing for the move

Since a dishwasher is a large appliance, it can be a very difficult item to move. It's important that you take all the necessary precautions prior to moving it to ensure that it is not damaged.

  • Remove all dishes, glasses, silverware and anything else from the dishwasher. Make sure the dishwasher is completely empty or else you may have the unfortunate surprise of opening it only to find broken dishes and glasses at your new home.
  • Run the dishwasher once to clean out its interior before moving. After removing any remaining dishes and silverware, put in a small amount of detergent and run the dishwasher through a regular cleaning cycle with hot water. Doing this will get rid of any leftover food particles and help prevent the growth of any bacteria or mold while you are transporting it. After the wash is complete, leave the door of the dishwasher open for several hours to allow the interior to dry.
  • Pack your dishes and silverware separately in clearly labelled boxes. Once you've removed everything from the dishwasher, pack all the pots and pans, dishes, glasses and silverware securely in boxes that are clearly labelled "fragile". Mark all sides of the box so that it is clearly visible to movers, who will make sure that nothing heavy is stacked on top of them.

Packing and Moving

The inside of the dishwasher is squeaky clean, you've removed all the dishes and you're ready to remove the dishwasher from the wall and pack it up for your move. Not so fast though - there are still a few loose ends you're going to want to tie up (like the power cord, for starters).

Here are the steps that you can follow to safely disconnect the dishwasher and pack all its components for your move.

  • Slowly and carefully dislodge the dishwasher from its location. In many homes and apartments, dishwashers come embedded into the kitchen cabinetry, typically located close to the kitchen sink or another appliance like the oven. To remove the dishwasher, you'll need to slide it out of this housing. In many cases, you'll find a bunch of screws or bolts holding the dishwasher in place, which you can simply remove to free the appliance.
  • Disconnect the dishwasher from its power source and remove all baskets and racks. When you move the dishwasher from its housing and slide it away, you'll see the wires in the back connecting it to its power source. Unplug the dishwasher from all its power outlets and tie up the cord into a neat bundle using a rope or plastic ties. Then, remove all racks, trays and baskets inside of the dishwasher and pack them separately, to prevent them from being jostled around during the move (this can damage the appliance).
  • Remove all hoses attached to the dishwasher and pack them separately. In addition to the power cords, you'll also have to disconnect the exterior hoses on the back of the dishwasher that are hooked up to the water lines. For guidance on how to correctly disconnect the hoses, see your owner's manual, as models may differ from each other. After removing the hoses, pack them properly in a box and remember to label it so that when you unpack at your destination, you can readily discover these components.
  • Wrap the dishwasher in a thick pad or moving blanket. Before moving the dishwasher and loading it onto the truck, you should wrap the entire unit in a moving blanket or thick pad to ensure additional protection. Secure the blanket in place by tying a rope around it to keep it from shifting in transit.
  • Use the proper moving equipment to load the dishwasher onto the truck. Like all large, heavy appliances, you should have the help of multiple people when moving the dishwasher. If you have access to a hand truck or dolly, you should use it to help you safely transport the dishwasher onto the moving truck.

Of course, you can always just hire some professional movers to lend a hand. Large, heavy items like dishwashers are difficult to move on your own, which is why it's always a smart idea to hire professional movers and packers to handle it for you.

To find some movers in your area that can assist you with moving your dishwasher, simply visit the home page of Movers.com and fill out our free and easy-to-use quote form at the top of the page. You'll then be contacted by up to seven moving companies that will provide you with a no-obligation estimate for your move.

Robert Moreschi  Posted by Robert Moreschi on December 11, 2013

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