How To Pack Your Washing Machine For Moving Interstate
Packing your washing machine when you are moving interstate is a fairly simple exercise. There are however, a couple of essential things you need to do to ensure it is in one piece and still functional at the end of the move.
Equipment you will need to pack your washing machine
Adjustable Spanner
Bucket
Packing Tape
Shipping Bolts (Front Loader)
Pieces of Foam / Padding (Top Loader)
Furniture Blankets
Plastic Cling Wrap (Optional)
Step 1:
You will need to make sure that your washing machine is clean before moving it. It’s a good idea to run it on the hottest wash possible with no detergent. Pop a couple of capfuls of white vinegar in the detergent dispenser to help remove soap residue inside the machine. After this cycle, leave the door open to allow the washing machine to dry out as much as possible (preferably overnight) before proceeding.
Step 2:
Unplug the washing machine from the power point. Turn off the water supply taps to the washing machine. Have the bucket handy; using the spanner if needed, undo the water hoses one at a time. Once disconnected from the tap, tip the hose into the bucket to remove any excess water in the hose. Disconnect the hoses from the washing machine end and wrap up in a towel and place inside the washing machine.
Step 3:
Locate the drainage hose (where the water drains out from the washing machine). Drain any excess water from it - you will need to hold the hose lower than the level of the washing machine to get most of it out. You can do this by tilting the machine on it’s side. Once you have as much water as possible out, tape the hose (pointing upwards) the the back of the machine using the packing tape.
Step 4:
Depending on whether you have a front loading or top loading machine, this next step can vary but in both cases, you need to secure the drum of the washing machine so it doesn’t move during transit. It is best to dig out your washing machine manual if you have it (most are available online if you don’t). It will give instructions about what to do to secure the drum. For front loaders, there are usually 2 shipping bolts which are inserted in the back of the machine to keep the drum in place. These would have come with the machine when it was new, if you have misplaced yours, they are readily available from the manufacturer of your machine. For top loaders you usually have to wedge something such as foam or padding in between the drum and the casing of the machine so the drum can’t move.
Step 5:
For top loaders, tape the lid shut. For front loaders close the door. Drape furniture blankets around the whole machine ensuring it is covered completely. Secure blankets in place with either packing tape or plastic cling wrap.
Step 6:
Your washing machine is now ready to move. It should always remain upright during transportation and should be secured to an outside wall of a moving container or moving vehicle with box straps to prevent any movement.
If you found this guide helpful, you may want to check out our How To Pack series of guides. Our experienced removalists have compiled their best tips in these guides specifically targeted at packing for transportation in a self pack moving container.
Photo Sources:
Main washing machine image sourced here
Shipping bolts image sourced here
Hoses image sourced here
Spanner image sourced here