How to Move a Washer and Dryer the Right Way

Washers and dryers do not look complicated, but they are two of the trickiest appliances to move without doing damage. A washer’s drum can swing loose and crack its own housing if it is not secured, and hoses left full of water make a mess on your new floors before you even unpack a single box. Here is how to get both appliances from your old place to your new one in San Antonio or the Hill Country without a headache.

Before Moving Day: Get It Ready

• Run a cleaning cycle. A quick cycle with just water, or your machine’s built-in clean cycle, flushes out leftover detergent and residue from the drum and drain lines.
• Dry the drum completely. Leave the washer door open for a day if you can, or wipe it dry with a clean towel. Leftover moisture causes mold and odor in transit.
• Find your transit bolts. These metal rods lock the washer’s drum in place for the ride. They are usually stored inside the drum or in a bag taped to the back of the machine. If you cannot find them, check with a local appliance store or your owner’s manual.
• Pull up the manual. It shows exactly how to install the bolts for your specific model, plus any extra precautions the manufacturer recommends.

Moving Day: Disconnect and Secure

1. Unplug the washer and dryer from the wall.
2. Shut off the water supply valves behind the washer, turning clockwise until they stop.
3. Disconnect the hot and cold water hoses one at a time, using slip-joint pliers if needed, and drain them into a bucket.
4. Install the transit bolts on a front-loading washer’s drum (see below for why top-loaders skip this step).
5. Disconnect the dryer’s vent hose and any gas or power connections, and tape the dryer’s cord to the back of the unit.
6. Wrap both machines in moving blankets and secure them with tape or stretch wrap.

Front-Loaders Need Transit Bolts — Top-Loaders Don’t

This trips up a lot of people. Front-loading washers have a large drum suspended by springs and shocks so it can spin at high speed without shaking the whole machine apart. That suspension is exactly what makes the drum dangerous to move. Without the transit bolts locking it in place, the drum can swing and slam against the housing on every bump in the road, potentially cracking the tub or bending the suspension. Top-loading washers use a simpler, more rigid drum design and generally do not need transit bolts, though it is worth checking your specific model’s manual to be sure.

Gas Dryers Need a Little Extra Care

If your dryer runs on gas, do not disconnect the gas line yourself. Shut off the gas supply valve, but leave the actual line disconnection and reconnection to a professional — either your moving crew if they are equipped for it, or a licensed technician. A gas leak is not something to troubleshoot on moving day. Electric dryers are simpler: unplug the cord, disconnect the vent hose, and you are ready to load.

Getting Them Onto the Truck

Both appliances should travel upright, never on their sides or backs, and should be moved with an appliance dolly rather than carried by hand. Use furniture pads to protect floors and door frames along the way, and strap both machines securely inside the truck so they cannot shift or tip during transport. Once they arrive, give the washer a few minutes to sit before you run a load, and let the dryer settle in place before reconnecting the vent and power.

Why Hire Help for This One

Washers and dryers combine three problems at once: serious weight, water that needs draining first, and mechanical parts that can be damaged by a rushed or careless move. RiverHills Moving crews handle laundry appliances as part of every full-service move across San Antonio, Boerne, Kerrville, and the surrounding Hill Country, disconnecting, securing, and reconnecting so you are not the one lying on the floor with a wrench.

Call us at (830) 329-7272 or request a free quote, and we will put together a plan for your whole move — appliances included — with no hidden fees and no guesswork.