How to move appliances without damaging floors

May 16th, 2012

Appliance Questions Appliance Talk

Hard, shiny floors that make kitchen messes a breeze to wipe up are also devastatingly easy to damage when moving heavy appliances.

Vinyl and wood are susceptible to scratches and scuffing, and depending on how deep the marks are, they can be tricky to repair. Small repairs to vinyl floors are relatively simple with fix it kits from hardware stores, but scratches on wooden floorboards may require sanding and then varnishing.

It’s best to avoid the hassle altogether by moving appliances with care. In the case of fridges, make sure that they are empty, to reduce unnecessary weight.

There are three tricks you can use to move appliances without damaging floors: cardboard and muscly men, a trolly with wheels and window cleaner.

First, tilt the appliance backwards enough to slip a thick piece of cardboard (or a piece of carpet) under the two front legs and as far back to the back legs as you can.

Next, wiggle the appliance forward a bit until the back legs sit on the cardboard. Now ask a lovely muscly man (or two) to shuffle it out of its location and lift it out of the house. If the heavy task has fallen to you, remember to bend your knees!

Alternatively, apply the cardboard method as above and once the appliance is out form its original place, use a trolly – a two-wheeled cart – with a small shelf that will fit under the tilted appliance. Then away you roll.

If all else fails, try window cleaner, best on vinyl floors, not recommended on wood. Spray the feet of the appliances with window cleaner and should slide out like butter.