It is a well-known fact that high-quality appliances make life easier. Little wonder they are high in demand and found in every home. However, moving these appliances from one location to another is arguably one of the most challenging phases during the relocation or fulfillment of an appliance order.
It is worth noting that these appliances have fragile parts, meaning they can easily break or get damaged. Hence, they require attention and care before, during, and after shipping. So, if you want to ship your appliances safely, prioritize seeking professional assistance from reliable shipping platforms. This is the best way to ensure that these appliances remain in the same condition they were before transit.
For instance, GoShip provides impressive Less Than Truckload (LTL) solutions that make the transportation of appliances easy, smooth, and secure. That said, before reaching out to a shipping platform, you need to prepare your appliance for shipping.
But how do you achieve this when you know little to nothing about preparing appliances for shipping?
Keep reading this post to discover eight actionable tips for appliance shipping and other related information that can make the transportation of your appliances safe and smooth.
Let’s dive into the details already.
What Makes Appliance Shipping Different?
Do you have the information required to ship appliances? If your answer is yes, you are on the right track to having a smooth appliance shipping experience. On the other hand, you will likely make avoidable mistakes that can break or damage your appliances if you lack the right information. And that is the last thing you want.
Here is the thing, relying on your prior knowledge of shipping other items when shipping appliances may cause more harm than good. This is because appliance shipping is a different ball game. For instance, you shouldn’t ship appliances the same way you ship a box filled with clothes. Here is why: Some appliances come with specific liquids like refrigerants or coolants which are potentially dangerous (if mishandled). Hence, it is only right that you familiarize yourself with the dos and don’ts.
Additionally, a few appliances can be big, complex, and heavy. So, you will likely have trouble keeping them safe over short or long distances. However, you can save yourself trouble when you know a suitable approach to the situation. And thankfully, that is what you are about to discover.
8 Things You Need To Do To Prepare Appliances for Shipping
Preparing your appliance for shipping is straightforward. However, you must put in the work required to avoid making any mistakes. Without further ado, below are the steps you need to take before shipping appliances to any location.
Unplug the Appliance From the Water or Power Supply
Unplugging your appliance is the first step to take during the preparation stage, as it helps to keep you and your appliance safe when carrying out the next steps.
Defrost Freezers or Refrigerators
Before shipping freezers or refrigerators, ensure to defrost them at least 24 hours before shipping. Defrosting is the removal of accumulated frost or ice. You can achieve this by turning off your freezer or refrigerator for a few days.
Alternatively, you can speed up the process by following these steps:
- Unplug your freezer or refrigerator
- Take out the contents
- Remove the drawers or shelves
- Place cloths or towels at the bottom of the freezer or refrigerator
- Leave the freezer or refrigerator open to melt the ice
- Clean and dry the freezer to get rid of bad smell
Dry appliances before shipping
Like freezers and refrigerators, drying applies to appliances like dishwashers, dryers, and washing machines.
In this case, you must completely dry them before shipping. Ensure there is no water in their hoses or any other part. Additionally, keep an eye on the rubber parts, as they might contain moisture.
Remove the necessary parts
Certain parts in some small kitchen appliances must be removed and appropriately packed before shipping.
Here are a few examples:
- Remove the blades and iron parts in blenders and mixers.
- Remove the grills, knobs, and racks in ovens
Secure the Doors
Appliances like freezers, refrigerators, dryers, and washing machines have doors. So, ensure you secure the doors of these appliances with tape to prevent them from opening during transportation.
Use Suitable Packing Materials
Packing materials play a significant role in protecting appliances with sensitive surfaces. There are different packing materials out there. However, not every packing material suits your appliances. Therefore, you need to find the perfect fit for each of them. It is advisable to wrap big appliances in blankets and pack the small appliances in their original packs or small boxes fitted with cardboard walls.
Get the Labels Right
Label every box and place label protection for every appliance with a shipping destination. Ensure that the label boxes have the right content and details. Labels like “Handle with Care” and “Fragile” will come in handy.
Contact a Reliable Shipping Platform and Ask questions
If you want to ensure the safety of your appliances during shipping, you need to reach out to a trusted LTL shipping platform that meets your need. While it will cost you a bit, you will have peace of mind.
Make sure you ask questions about the whole shipping process. This will help you clear any doubts and keep you one step ahead of the shipping action.
Shipping appliances can be troublesome, especially if it is your first time. However, it becomes a less demanding and smooth experience when you choose the right shipping service. GoShip specializes in shipping such items and will move your goods safely, guiding you through every step of the shipping process.