How to Store a Refrigerator in Storage

Appliances are one of the most important items to know how to properly store. Proper storage of your refrigerator will help ensure that it stays in good condition, and free of mold or mildew. In order to properly prepare your refrigerator for storage, you will need to clean and dry it, safely transport it, and store it correctly in a trusted storage facility. Below are the best tips for how to store a refrigerator in storage.

Clean and Thoroughly Dry Your Refrigerator

Start by removing all of the items in your fridge and freezer. Keep a cooler handy for anything you plan to take with you during the move. Next, turn your refrigerator off and unplug it from the wall. Leave the doors open to allow any moisture or water to drain out of the fridge. Make sure to do this step at least 24 hours in advance to give your fridge time to defrost.

Once everything is off and drained, start by removing the shelves and drawers and soaking them in the sink with warm water and soap. Wipe down the walls, handles, and small crevices of your refrigerator with disinfectant wipes. Once the shelves and drawers are dry, place them back in the fridge, keeping the doors open to let all moisture out.

Moving Your Refrigerator Into Storage

To safely move your refrigerator into storage, you will first need to secure all electrical cords and plugs. You can do this by taping them to the back of the fridge, or placing them in a secure bag. Inside of your fridge, tape down anything that may shift around during transport like drawers. Once the inside of your refrigerator is secured, you’ll want to also tape down the fridge and freezer doors. Doing this helps protect yourself and your fridge in case the doors swing open during the move. For added protection from scratches and dings, you can wrap your refrigerator with a moving blanket.

While moving your refrigerator, make sure it is always kept upright. If you are unable to keep it upright for the full move, ensure it sits upright for a few hours before plugging it in again. When loading it into the moving truck, aim to place it in a back corner, ideally braced with moving straps.

Storing Your Refrigerator

If you are using a storage unit to store your refrigerator, you’ll want to opt for a climate-controlled option. Climate-controlled storage keeps temperature and humidity levels consistent, which helps avoid mold and mildew from forming. Moisture can easily get trapped in your fridge, so this is your best option to keep it in perfect condition. When storing, you should place your refrigerator in the back of the unit, as you may want to place smaller items at the front for easier access. Make sure to leave the door of your refrigerator slightly ajar so that air can freely flow. This helps ensure that no moisture becomes trapped in your fridge.

The main thing you should look out for when learning how to store a refrigerator in storage is moisture control. Between cleaning your refrigerator and storing it, you want to continually ensure that no moisture remains inside of the unit. Most damage that occurs to refrigerators in storage is caused by mold and mildew from improper storage and residual moisture. By following these steps, you can ensure your refrigerator stays safe in storage.

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