October 7, 2015

Large appliances are a hassle to move and can take up valuable space in your Stanton, California home. If you’re replacing a washer or fridge, and want to hang on to your old one to sell or pass on, use nearby Stanton self storage to make the transition a breeze. These large appliances can require […]

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Large appliances are a hassle to move and can take up valuable space in your Stanton, California home. If you’re replacing a washer or fridge, and want to hang on to your old one to sell or pass on, use nearby Stanton self storage to make the transition a breeze. These large appliances can require special preparation, and they definitely require special care when moving. Use these tips from Total Storage Solutions to help you prepare your large household appliances for storage and get them there safely.

Preparing Large Household Appliances for Storage

Dishwasher

• Run a regular wash cycle, filling the detergent cups with baking soda. Once the dishwasher has filled with water, add a cup of bleach to the water in the bottom of the tub. Let run to the end of the cycle.
• Take out the filter and clean it with detergent. Also, clean the well that the filter sits in.
• Turn off your dishwasher’s water supply.
• Set your dishwasher to Drain and run it through the drain cycle. Repeat to remove any remaining water.
• Use a baking soda and water solution to clean the seal around the door. Remove any food particles and signs of mildew.
• Let the dishwasher air out by leaving the door open for a couple of days. This should get rid of any remaining moisture.
• Unplug the water supply. Drain the hoses from the machine completely, and make sure they’re dry. Then, coil and put them inside your dishwasher for easy storage.
• Treat your clean dishwasher for pests. Even the smallest food particle can attract bugs. Prevent this from happening with preemptive treatment.

Refrigerator

• Remove any and all food from both the fridge and freezer sections.
• Turn off the icemaker – if there is one -“ and empty all the contents.
• Defrost the freezer.
• Turn off the valve to any water dispenser and disconnect the tube.
• Empty the water from the holding tank.
• Unplug the fridge and tape the wire to the side or back.
• Vacuum the back of the fridge to remove as much dust as possible.
• Clean the door gasket with a solution of bleach and water to remove any food or mildew.
• Scrub and wipe down the interior with a baking soda and water solution.
• Dry the interior of the fridge thoroughly and leave the door open for a couple days to evaporate any remaining moisture.
• Treat with pest control to prevent any infestations during storage.
• Use towels and blankets to wrap glass shelves, and place them securely inside the fridge to prevent damage.

Washer

• Run a normal wash cycle with hot water to remove any detergent remnants. Use bleach or a white vinegar solution instead of detergent.
• Leave the door open for about a day to let it dry out.
• Turn off the water valves that are connected to the wall.
• Find your home’s electrical panel and turn off the washer’s circuit breaker.
• Unplug your washer, and disconnect the water supply hoses, holding them up to avoid spilling any water.
• Remove the drain hose.
• Clean and dry hoses, then place inside your machine for easy storage.
• Wipe down the exterior surface with a household cleaner or bleach and water solution.

Dryer

• Find your home’s electrical panel and turn off the washer’s circuit breaker.
• Unplug the power cord and tape it to the side of your dryer.
• Detach the vent duct from the back of the dryer.
• Vacuum any lint or dust that has accumulated on the back of the machine.
• Clean out any lint or debris from the interior.
• Remove the lint trap and clean it with a mixture of soap and water.
• Use a bleach and water solution to wipe down the interior and exterior of the dryer.
• Allow the dryer to dry completely after cleaning it.

Tips for Making a Safe Move

Whenever you’re moving bulky or heavy items, it’s important to take special precautions to keep yourself and your items from harm. If you try to tackle the job alone or have the improper equipment, you risk causing injury. To move these large – and expensive – items safely, follow these tips.

• Tape appliance doors shut to prevent them from moving or opening during transport. (Leave the doors ajar when you store though. This prevents mold and mildew from forming.)
• Use blankets and covers to wrap the appliances to protect them from scratches.
• Use dollies and carts to make moving easier.
• If you’re planning to pack other items into your Stanton storage unit, place the large appliances into your moving truck last.
• Unload large appliances first to place them in the back of your unit.
• Cover appliances with breathable material to protect against dust and dirt.

Whether you’re investing in a new appliance for yourself or need to move your household appliances to storage while making a move, knowing how to properly store these items is essential for preserving them. Take the time to get your large household appliances ready for self storage, and know they’ll be in pristine condition when you need them again. Contact Total Storage Solutions to find a storage facility near you.