To Pack and Move Appliances you'll need:

Blank newsprint or your own towels and linens

Medium-sized boxes

Tip: Don't use plastic peanuts or shredded newsprint, which could get into the machines and cause damage.

How To Pack and Move Appliances:

Group kitchen appliances, like blenders and toasters, or other small household appliances, like hand- held vacuums and telephones, two or three to a box. (Make sure they're clean)

Make sure the bottom of the box is securely taped, and then pad the bottom of the box with blank newsprint (wadded up, not shredded) or your towels and sheets.

Put the appliances in and pad them well all around with packing material.

Then put another layer of packing materials on top, seal the box, and mark it "Kitchen Appliances." Now you're good to go!

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How To Pack Large Appliances

We're talking washers, dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, and refrigerators - the big stuff! Before you pack any of it, read your users manual for each appliance to make sure there aren't more special moving preparations you'll need to make. Also consider servicing all your appliances a week or two before you move, if you haven't done it in a while.

To Pack Large Appliances You'll need:

Packing tape

Large pads and rope

Your towels and linens, clothes, and stuffed animals (that's right, stuffed animals) for washing machines

Baking soda for a washing machine and refrigerator

To Pack a Washing Machine:

Do your laundry a couple of days before you're ready to move

Do your best to drain all the water out of the washer. If possible, take the washer outside and tip it sideways to empty out any remaining water. Then dry the interior completely with a towel

Take out all accessories and fittings and put them in a plastic bag

Stuff towels between the washing machine sides and the tub to keep the tub from rotating

Fill the basket with clothes, linens, and stuffed animals (that's rights, stuffed animals). Also include a box of baking soda (designed so you don't have to tear open the top of the box) to cut down on mildew

Tape the lid and electrical cord down, then tie a large pad around the outside. Now you're done!

To Pack a Dryer

Disconnect the exhaust hose from the back of the dryer and from the exhaust duct in the wall. Loosely roll the hose and place it in the dryer basket

Tape the lint screen, electrical cord, and dryer door down

Tie a large pad around the outside of the dryer. You're done!

To Pack a Refrigerator

One day before moving, empty out the contents of your refrigerator and allow it to defrost. (Eat what you can, then give the rest away to neighbors - never transport perishable food)

Empty the drainage pan underneath and disconnect and drain out your automatic icemaker

Clean the walls, drawers, and shelves

Some refrigerators have "leveling rollers," which are wheels that raise and lower each corner of the refrigerator so it is even. Check your manual to see whether you should raise or lower them for the move

Wrap shelves (especially if they are glass) and tape them together. Tape down all other loose parts, including the drawers on the inside and the electrical cord and doors on the outside

Tie a large pad around it. That's it!

To Pack a Stove

Clean the oven and stovetop

Place all the oven racks on the bottom rung and tape them down

Tape down the burners and the protective pans under each burner

Tape the electrical cord and door to the stove (lock the door, if you can), then tie a large pad around it. You're done!

To Pack a Dishwasher

Remove all dishes and tape down the racks and silverware basket

See your manual for removing and draining the water hook-up

Close and lock the door. Tape the door shut. Now tape the hose and cord to the dishwasher

Tie a large pad around it. That's all!

To Pack an Air Conditioner

If your air conditioner's in use, shut if off the day before so the coils can dry and cool off

Remove and clean or replace the filter

Tape the cord to the side of the air conditioner (not the back, where the coils are)

Use the original box, if you have it, or another large appliance box well padded with wadded up newsprint. (Don't use Styrofoam peanuts, which could get inside the air conditioner and cause problems later)

If you don't have a box, tie two large pads around it to protect the coils. That's it!