To move a washer and dryer safely, disconnect the water supply and power (or gas), reinstall the shipping bolts in front-load washers to secure the drum, wrap both appliances in moving blankets, and use an appliance dolly to keep them upright. Secure them with ratchet straps in the moving truck and reconnect carefully at your new home.

Washers and dryers are among the most difficult appliances to move. A washer can weigh 150 to 250 pounds. A dryer runs 100 to 150 pounds. They're awkward to grip, connected to water lines and electrical or gas hookups, and built with internal components that can be damaged if the machine is tipped or jolted the wrong way. Skip one step, like reinstalling the shipping bolts, and you might arrive at your new place with a drum that vibrates itself into failure. This guide walks you through every step, from prep to reconnection.

What You'll Need Before You Move a Washer and Dryer

Before you touch either appliance, get the right equipment. A standard hand truck won't cut it here. You need an appliance dolly, the wide, flat kind with a built-in strap that wraps around the appliance. These are available to rent at most hardware stores.

Gather these supplies:

Appliance dolly with strap
Ratchet straps (for securing in the truck)
Moving blankets or furniture pads
Adjustable wrench or pliers
Bucket and old towels (for draining hoses)
Packing tape
Shipping/transit bolts (front-load washers only — check behind the machine or your owner's manual)
At least 2 helpers, ideally 3

Don't skip the helpers. These appliances are too heavy to move safely with one person, and the injury risk is real.

How to Disconnect and Prepare Your Washing Machine

Start with the washer the day before your move.

Run a rinse cycle. This clears any detergent residue. After the cycle finishes, leave the door open for several hours so the drum dries out. A damp drum during transport can develop mold or mildew.
Unplug the washer. Pull the plug from the wall outlet.
Shut off the water supply valves. The valves are behind the machine, one for hot and one for cold. Turn them clockwise until they stop.
Disconnect the inlet hoses. Place a bucket and towels under the connections before you unscrew them. Residual water will drain out. Let the hoses drain fully into the bucket, then coil them and bag them separately.
Reinstall shipping bolts (front-load washers only). This is the step most people skip, and it's the most damaging mistake. Front-load washers have a drum suspended on springs and shock absorbers. Without support during transport, the drum bounces against internal components. Shipping bolts thread through the back panel of the machine and lock the drum in place. If you can't find yours, contact the manufacturer. Replacement sets are available. Top-load washers don't need shipping bolts, but stuff towels around the agitator and tape the lid shut.
Tape any loose parts. Secure the power cord to the back of the machine with packing tape.
Measure your path. Check that the washing machine will fit through every doorway and hallway between its current spot and the truck.

How to Disconnect and Prepare Your Dryer

Electric Dryer

Unplug the 240-volt cord from the wall outlet. Leave the cord attached to the dryer.
Disconnect the dryer vent hose from the wall duct. Tape the end of the vent hose closed or bag it so lint doesn't spill out during transport.
Tape the dryer door shut.

Gas Dryer

The physical disconnection steps are the same, but the gas line is not a DIY job.

Turn off the gas supply valve at the wall. The valve is typically behind or beside the dryer.
Call a licensed gas technician to disconnect and cap the gas line. An improperly capped line can cause a gas leak. This is a safety issue, not a preference. Budget time and money for this step.
Transport the flexible gas connector separately in a sealed bag, away from other items.
At your new home, have a certified technician reconnect the gas line and check for leaks before you use the dryer.

Also disconnect the dryer vent and tape the door, same as an electric dryer.

How to Load and Transport a Washer and Dryer

With both appliances prepped, it's time to move them.

Wrap in moving blankets. Cover the entire appliance before moving it through your home. Secure the blankets with packing tape or light straps. This protects both the appliance finish and your walls and doorframes.
Position the dolly. Slide the forks of the appliance dolly under the bottom center of the machine, not the sides. Tilt the dolly back slowly, with one person guiding and one controlling the dolly.
Keep them upright. Both the washer and dryer should stay vertical throughout the move. Laying a washer on its side allows oil and residual water to migrate into electrical components and can cause the drum suspension to shift. If your vehicle absolutely cannot accommodate an upright washer, consult the owner's manual. Some models allow lying on the back, never the front. Wait at least 24 hours at your new home before running it.
Use a ramp to load the truck. Never try to lift these appliances directly into a truck bed. Use the truck's loading ramp and roll the dolly up carefully with a helper guiding from behind.
Secure inside the truck. Position each appliance against the truck wall and run ratchet straps in an X-pattern across the front. Place moving blankets between the appliances and any other items to prevent contact and scratching.

How to Reconnect at Your New Home

Remove the shipping bolts (front-load washers). Do this before anything else. Running a front-load washer with the shipping bolts still in will damage the machine. Remove all bolts from the back panel and store them somewhere safe for the next move.
Level both appliances. Adjust the feet on the washer and dryer until a bubble level reads flat. An unlevel washer will vibrate excessively and can walk across your floor.
Reconnect the water hoses. Hand-tighten the inlet hoses onto the supply valves, then snug them with a wrench, about a quarter-turn past hand-tight. Don't over-tighten: you'll crack the rubber washer inside and create the leak you were trying to prevent.
Reconnect the dryer vent. Attach the dryer vent hose to the wall duct and secure it. Make sure the vent line doesn't have sharp kinks that restrict airflow.
Reconnect gas (licensed tech only). Gas dryer users: have a certified technician reconnect the gas line and verify there are no leaks.
Plug both appliances in.
Run a test cycle. Run an empty wash cycle and watch the water connections for drips. Check again after the cycle ends. If anything leaks, turn the water off and re-seat the hose connections.

Common Washer and Dryer Moving Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping the shipping bolts. The single most expensive mistake front-load washer owners make. The drum will bounce against the interior housing during transport and can require a costly repair or replacement.
Using the wrong dolly. A two-wheel hand truck isn't stable enough. Rent an appliance dolly.
Laying the washer on its side. Keep it upright. The suspension system is not designed for horizontal transport.
DIY gas line disconnection. It's not worth the risk. Call a licensed technician.
Forgetting to drain the hoses. Water left in the hoses will leak into the truck during transport. Drain and bag them before loading.
Over-tightening water connections. Hand-tight plus a quarter-turn is enough. More than that and you'll split the rubber washer inside the fitting.
Running the washer before removing transit bolts. Always check before starting the first cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to drain a washing machine before moving it?

Yes. Run a rinse cycle the day before to flush out detergent, then disconnect the inlet hoses and let any remaining water drain into a bucket. Leave the door open overnight so the drum dries out. Residual water in the drum or hoses can leak into the moving truck during transport.

Can you lay a washer on its side when moving?

You should keep the washer upright whenever possible. Laying it on its side can shift the drum off its suspension system and allow oil or water to migrate into electrical components. If upright transport truly isn't possible, consult the owner's manual, lay it on its back (not the front), and wait 24 hours before running it at your new home.

What are shipping bolts and do I need them?

Shipping bolts, also called transit bolts, are metal rods that thread into the back of a front-load washer to lock the drum during transport. They come with new machines and should be saved for future moves. If you no longer have them, contact the manufacturer for replacements. Top-load washers do not use shipping bolts.

How do I move a gas dryer safely?

You can physically move a gas dryer the same way as an electric one, but the gas line must be disconnected and capped by a licensed gas technician before you move the appliance. Improper capping can cause a gas leak. At your new home, have a certified technician reconnect the line and test for leaks before use.

How many people does it take to move a washer and dryer?

At minimum, two people: one to operate the appliance dolly and one to guide and assist. For stairs or tight hallways, three people is much safer. Never attempt to move either appliance alone.

Do I need to remove the washer hoses before moving?

Yes. Disconnect the hot and cold inlet hoses from the supply valves behind the washer. Let them drain fully, then bag them separately. Hoses left attached and full of water can leak during transport and are difficult to manage when maneuvering the machine.

Should I hire movers for my washer and dryer?

If you don't have an appliance dolly, enough helpers, or confidence working with gas lines and water connections, hiring a moving company is a practical choice. Appliance movers bring the right equipment and experience to handle these moves without damaging the machines or your home. The cost of a damaged washer drum or a flooded laundry room typically outweighs the cost of professional help.

Need Help With Your Move?

Moving a washer and dryer is manageable with the right prep. If it's part of a larger move, or you'd rather hand the heavy lifting to someone else, our crew handles appliance moves regularly. Legacy Moving has over 50 years of combined experience between our three co-founders, and we serve all of Winnipeg and surrounding areas. Call (204) 296-2223 for a free quote, or request an estimate online.

—How to Move a Washer and Dryer