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How to Store A Fridge

Remodeling and updating parts of your home require some sacrifice. Downsizing can be a drag

if you have a lot of stuff and nowhere to put it. Whether you are moving house or remodeling,

there are some big-ticket items that you do not want to get rid of, namely your refrigerator. You

want to keep everything, but you especially want to preserve expensive appliances. Even if your

move is less-than-temporary, saving items for future use and storing them away in self-storage

will save more money in the long run than completely replacing these items.

Clean out and clean up.

Preparing a refrigerator for storage for a move or a month will require the same steps. First,

empty the refrigerator of all food and drink from all shelves and drawers. If you are temporarily

storing the fridge, you can keep some items in portable coolers. If you cannot immediately save

any items, consider donating them. Food pantries will not take perishable food, so you may

have to dig around for alternative charity organizations, volunteer groups, and religious events

that will take these items. As a last resort, your neighbors probably won’t mind taking an extra

condiment or two or any perishable items.

Sanitize and wipe down all surface areas of the appliance, both inside and outside. If your fridge

is stainless steel, use polish to remove any spots and prevent the buildup of grime and dust.

Otherwise, wipe down the fridge with a cloth. Then, let your appliance dry from the inside out.

Any traces of moisture can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, so thorough drying is

recommended.

Down the drain.

Before draining any water or any other fluids from your fridge, unplug it from its power source to

make time to defrost. Older models may mean you will have to manually defrost your freezer

and remove any ice in the ice maker or any pieces lost in the crevices.

Since refrigerators are designed to keep cool, this step in the process will take the longest. To

speed up the process, place hot items in the freezer. You can boil water and place it in bowls in

the freezer, or get a little creative: use a microwavable heating pad or hand warmers. Don’t use

anything electric or any open flame candles, as this is a fire hazard.

Once your fridge is cleaned out and dry, you can then prepare it for storage.

Strapped down.

Any electrical cords that cannot be removed should be taped to the appliance so there is no

dragging. For better protection, wrap your refrigerator in a moving blanket or some kind of

protective material. Make sure you remove any shelves and drawers or tie them in place if they

cannot be removed.

Stood up straight.

When transporting this big appliance, it is important that you never ever lay the apparatus down.

Keep it standing up straight as there are important components in the appliance that can be

damaged if it is laid down.

Transporting a refrigerator is a two-person job. Never try to move it on your own, even if you

have the strength, a fridge is incredibly bulky and sensitive to damage. Utilize a dolly. This will

mean leaning the fridge on the dolly or moving it around. That is inevitable, but as long as you

keep the appliance standing up straight, no damage will occur. Make sure before plugging it

back in, you wait several hours if it has been transported. This will allow any fluids and gas to

settle.

Safely in Self-storage.

For storage for the long term, putting your refrigerator into a storage unit will be your best bet for

preserving it. Cumming Storage has the perfect storage space available for you to keep your

appliances safe. With options such as climate-controlled storage, you are sure to protect even

the most finicky items. Begin today by visiting our website to start storing your appliances.