A washer and dryer rank among the heaviest, most awkward, and most damage-prone items in any home. A washing machine can weigh over 200 pounds, holds water you cannot always see, and hides a spinning drum that wrecks itself if it shifts in transit. Move it wrong and you risk flooded floors, a dented machine, a strained back, or all three.

This guide walks you through how to move a washer and dryer the right way, from disconnection to loading. And when you would rather hand the job to professionals, Cavalier Moving provides experienced appliance movers across Richmond, VA who handle the heavy lifting for you.

Before You Start: Gather Your Supplies

Preparation makes the difference between a smooth move and a wet, scratched mess. Set everything out before you disconnect a single hose.

You will need an appliance dolly with straps, moving blankets, bungee cords or ratchet straps, a bucket and towels, pliers or a wrench, and your machine’s shipping bolts. Work with at least one helper, because moving these appliances alone invites injury and damage.

Track Down Your Shipping Bolts

Washing machine shipping bolts (also called transit bolts) secure the inner drum so it cannot bounce during transport. Manufacturers ship every front-load washer with them, and they belong back in place any time you move the machine. If you lost yours, order a replacement set by model number before moving day. If you have never fitted a set before, this walkthrough on how to install washer transit bolts shows the exact sequence. Skipping this step is the single most common cause of transit damage to front-loaders.

Measure and Clear Your Path

Before the machines move an inch, measure every doorway, hallway, and stairwell between the laundry area and the truck. Then measure the appliances. A washer that fits through one door does not always clear the next. Clearing the path in advance saves you from getting a 200-pound machine wedged halfway through a doorframe. Lay down floor runners or cardboard on hardwood and tile, since dollies and grit scratch finished floors quickly.

How to Move a Washing Machine: Step by Step

1. Disconnect and Drain the Washer

Turn off the water supply at the valves, then disconnect both the hot and cold hoses. Expect leftover water to drain out, so keep your bucket and towels ready. Next, run a short rinse-and-spin cycle with the machine empty to clear water from the internal pump and drain line. Unplug the unit, detach the drain hose, and let everything dry completely. Trapped moisture breeds mold and odor inside a sealed machine.

2. Install the Shipping Bolts

With the washer drained and unplugged, slide the machine forward and install the transit bolts on the back panel. They lock the drum in place and protect the suspension during the move. Coil the hoses and tape them to the side of the machine, or pack them in a labeled bag so nothing gets lost.

3. Prepare the Dryer

The dryer is lighter but no less important to handle correctly. Unplug it, and if you have a gas dryer, shut off the gas valve and have a licensed professional disconnect the line. Never move a gas dryer with the line still attached. Disconnect the vent hose from the back, clean out lint while you have access, and tape the cord and hose to the unit.

4. Wrap and Secure Both Appliances

Cover each machine in moving blankets and secure them with bungee cords or tape. This protects the finish from scratches and shields door frames and walls as you move through your home. Pay extra attention to control panels and glass doors, which crack easily.

5. Load With an Appliance Dolly

Tilt the appliance back onto the dolly, strap it tightly, and keep it upright as you wheel it out. For a clear visual, U-Haul’s step-by-step appliance dolly technique demonstrates the safest way to tilt, strap, and roll. Use ramps rather than lifting up stairs whenever possible, and move slowly through doorways. In the truck, stand both machines upright against a wall and strap them down so they cannot tip or slide.

A Note on Stackable Units

Stackable washers and dryers demand extra caution. Separate the two units before moving them rather than transporting them stacked, and handle each one individually. Moving a stacked pair as a single tower raises the center of gravity and makes the load far more likely to tip on a dolly or a ramp.

Can You Lay a Washer on Its Side?

This is the question we hear most, and the answer is usually no. Laying a washer on its side or back can bend the drum, damage the suspension, and let residual water reach components that should stay dry. Always transport a washing machine upright. If your space genuinely forces another position, consult your manufacturer’s manual first, and accept that you are taking a risk the warranty may not cover.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even careful homeowners slip up on a few predictable points. Steer clear of these and you protect both your appliances and yourself:

  • Forgetting to drain the washer fully. Hidden water leaks onto truck floors and into other boxes.
  • Skipping the shipping bolts. An unsecured drum batters the suspension over every bump in the road.
  • Plugging in too soon. Let the washer sit upright for a few hours at your new home before running it, so any displaced fluids resettle.
  • Lifting instead of rolling. Your back is not an appliance dolly. Use the right equipment or call professionals.

When to Hire Professional Appliance Movers

Plenty of homeowners move a washer and dryer by themselves and do it well. But these machines test your limits fast on staircases, in tight apartments, or during a long-distance move where a shifting drum has hours to do damage. The same heavy, awkward challenges show up with other oversized items, and our guide on how to move a hot tub in Virginia walks through similar heavy-haul tactics.

Professional appliance movers bring the equipment, training, and insurance that a DIY move lacks. It pays to understand how moving insurance in Virginia actually works before the truck arrives. At Cavalier Moving, our crews disconnect, wrap, lift, and load your appliances as part of a full-service move, and we protect your floors and walls along the way. As one of the most trusted moving companies in Richmond, VA, we treat your home and belongings as if they were our own.

Whether you need standalone appliance moving service or a complete relocation, our residential movers in Richmond, VA arrive prepared with dollies, straps, and blankets so nothing gets damaged and nobody gets hurt. We also serve Henrico, Midlothian, Glen Allen, Chesterfield, and the surrounding communities, so dependable help is never far away.

Conclusion

Moving a washer and dryer comes down to preparation: drain the washer fully, install the shipping bolts, measure your path, keep both machines upright, and use the right equipment to protect your appliances and yourself. Follow these steps and you avoid the leaks, dents, and back injuries that catch most people off guard.

When the job feels like more than you want to take on, Cavalier Moving is ready to help. Our experienced appliance movers serve Richmond, VA and the surrounding communities with the care and professionalism your home deserves. Tackling the rest of the house too? Our guide on how to pack clothes for moving helps you prep everything else while we handle the heavy machines. Contact us today for a free quote and let our team handle the heavy lifting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can movers move a washer and dryer for me?

Yes. Professional movers regularly disconnect, transport, and reload washers and dryers. At Cavalier Moving, our appliance movers handle the entire process, though we recommend you have a plumber and, for gas dryers, a licensed technician manage permanent water and gas line work.

How much does it cost to move a washer and dryer?

Cost depends on distance, access, and whether the appliances are part of a larger move. Moving them within a full-service relocation is far more economical than booking a separate trip. Contact our Richmond team for a free, accurate estimate based on your specific move.

Do I really need shipping bolts to move a front-load washer?

For front-loaders, yes. Shipping bolts lock the drum and prevent the suspension damage that frequently occurs during transport. If you cannot locate the original bolts, order a replacement set by model number before your move.