Moving delicate artwork

Refrigerators are plenty heavy and plenty expensive, so you're clearly going to want to avoid causing any damage, either to yourself, your home, or the fridge itself by moving it. If you do find that you need to move your refrigerator, just follow these tips to make sure you get the job done safely.

1. Find at Least One Other Person

Don't be tempted into thinking that you'll be fine moving a fridge by yourself. For one thing, a fridge is going to be much too heavy for you to move alone, so you run the risk of pulling a muscle. However, more important is the fact that fridges are poorly shaped for carrying. There aren't any convenient places to hold, and it's easy for them to topple over. If there's nobody to stop yours falling, it's entirely possible that you could end up trapped beneath it.

2. Remove Your Food and Shelves

Now that you've found someone to help, start moving as much as possible out of the fridge. All those small items add up, so you'll take a few pounds from the total weight. You should also get rid of anything that could slide around while you're moving the fridge, upsetting the balance. Once the food is gone, take out any removable shelves for the same reason.

3. Tape the Doors and Secure the Plug

Your fridge should now be as empty as possible, so take the time to secure the doors. You don't want these swinging open while you're moving the fridge, so get some strong duct tape and wrap it right around the fridge. Next, unplug it from the wall and secure the plug and lead; you don't want it trailing after you as you go, so tape it down to one side of the fridge.

4. Clear the Way

You want everything ready before you actually pick up the fridge and start moving. Look at the route you're taking, ensuring that there is nothing you could slip on and no wires to trip over. Additionally, open all the doors you'll be going through, then use a doorstop or other such item to stop them from closing.

5. Go Slowly and Steadily

Okay, you're now ready to start moving the fridge. Position one person on either side; the stronger, taller person should be the one in the lead. If there's anyone else around, get them to move ahead of you so they can let you know about any obstructions that have been missed. Move slowly and steadily, resisting the urge to rush the job. If your muscles start to hurt, take a break, and be particularly careful if you have to tip the fridge on its side to move through a certain area.

Following the steps outlined in this guide will dramatically reduce the chances of anything going wrong while you're moving a refrigerator, but remember that the job is often best handled by professionals. Don't hesitate to contact cheap removalists if you have any concerns about doing the job yourself, especially when there's more to move than just the refrigerator.