by If you’re in the market for a new appliance or are planning a major relocation, you need to consider its size and weight, as washing machines and dryers are big and bulky.
However, the weight of these appliances varies greatly by type, capacity, function, and brand.
We have all the answers here!
Table of Contents
How Heavy is an Average Washing Machine?
The average weight of a washing machine is usually around 60-90kg. The most popular models usually weigh about 70 kilograms.
Some gaskets may actually exceed 110 kg, depending on the drum capacity of the machine and whether concrete is present. Of course, smaller gaskets weigh less, and larger ones weigh more.
Because washing machines are awesome, they’re definitely not light enough to move! Of course, there are advantages to this, you don’t want your washing machine sliding across the laundry floor, and its weight keeps it in place during the laundry cycle as the drum moves through it.
When you buy a washing machine, you see numbers like 7kg, 8kg and 9kg. However, this refers to the load capacity (the weight of dry clothes you can put into the washing machine), not the weight of the washing machine itself.
Why Are Washing Machines So Heavy?
If a washing machine is not at least a little heavy, when it is running it will almost dance on the floor and all the action will take place inside. Manufacturers add concrete counterweights to gaskets to control movement and maintain balance, and these weights can reach 55 pounds or more. Almost all washing machines have a solid concrete block at the bottom to increase balance and stability so the machine doesn’t move or tilt, especially during rotation cycles.
In addition, washing machines have several other heavy components. As described in this HowStuffWorks article, most gaskets have two steel barrels (inside and out), a gearbox, a motor, and a solid metal frame. When we’re talking about machines that are about 40 inches high, 28 inches wide, and 33 inches deep, that’s a lot of metal!
All of these ingredients add up to quite a bit of weight, 170 pounds on average, according to our study.
How do you Move a Heavy Washing Machine?
Like most large household appliances, washing machines and dryers are bulky and difficult to move. If you’ve ever had to move a washing machine, you know it’s hard to move… Dragging it along the floor can leave an unsightly mark while lifting it incorrectly can lead to back, arm, or knee injuries… So what should you do?
If you’re bringing a new washer and dryer into your home or moving out of your current one, here are some tips to make the process more manageable
1. Unplug the Machine
It is important that there is nothing in the bucket, make sure the water supply is cut off before removing the pipe and pulling it from the wall.
2. Turn off the Water Valve
Turn off the water valve, turn off the water connected to the washing machine, then grab a bucket and place it behind the device.
Use a wrench or pliers to disconnect the water pipe at the back of the washing machine and allow excess water to drain into the bucket.
3. Empty and Clean Your Washer
When preparing to move the washing machine, empty it of clothes and water and clean it. That way it will appear in your new place and look and smell like new!
If your washing machine does not have an automatic cleaning cycle, fill the drum with hot water and bleach, let it soak for one hour, and wipe the drum, mixer or soap dish, control panel, lid, and outside of the machine with a damp cloth, and then cycle with a homemade or store-bought washing machine cleaner.
4. Protect Your Appliance
To further protect your washing machine, wrap it in a blanket. Use packing straps to secure blankets around the device so the washing machine won’t be hit or damaged during travel.
5. Have the Correct Moving Equipment
You do not want the drum of your washing machine to move during shipping, as this extra movement can wear out the equipment.
To prevent this, secure the drum in place using the transport bolts that come with the gasket.
Using a handcart or something similar is the safest way to transport heavy equipment because it requires a lot of weight and is more evenly balanced. This also means you can push the machine onto a moving van!
Equipment carts have built-in straps that hold each device to the cart so it doesn’t slip off.
Place the cart on the back or side of the washer or dryer. Most professionals recommend that the sides avoid being located behind ropes and tubes, but more importantly, position the trolley so that the weight is balanced so that you have full control.
After the trolley is in place, wrap the belt around the equipment and fix it according to the instructions of the trolley.
Tilt the car backward so that it bears most of the weight. It shouldn’t lean back so far that it looks like you’re holding the appliance, but it shouldn’t be so straight that it looks like it’s leaning forward.
Your assistant should always stand on the other side of the device to help balance, steer, and avoid bumping into walls or any other objects.
6. Get a Professional to Do This
People who move for a living will be more adept at the art of moving washing machines from your home into your van (and then on), so call a reputable local moving company if you have any questions.
How do you Move a Washing Machine Up Stairs?
If you’re going up a short flight of stairs, you can easily navigate the steps using a moving ramp. However, carrying the washing machine up a long flight of stairs is more challenging and requires more strength in your upper arms.
To take the washing machine upstairs, do the following:
Fix the washer on the trolley.
Roll the cart to the bottom of the stairs so that the handles and wheels are close to the bottom stairs.
Ask for help! Have one person lift the cart up the stairs with a handle, and another person lift the washing machine from the bottom. Step by step slowly up the steps, making sure your knees are up.
If you don’t have someone to help you or you can’t carry the washing machine upstairs together, don’t try to hurt yourself!
Instead, hire professional movers to help you move washing machines in and out of your house. They do this every day and know how to lift heavy things without hurting themselves
Final Thoughts
If you dread the day when you’ll have to move the washer and dryer, consider this.
If you’re moving to a new home and bringing your appliances, you have a few options.
The first option is to hire a professional porter. Usually, moving companies charge by the gross weight of work or by the hour. Adding two appliances to the packing list won’t make much of a difference in cost. Don’t believe me? On HomeAdvisor, you can get a free quote from your local moving company within minutes. Common domain name format.
The second option is to put the washer and dryer in the back. Most sellers include washing machines and dryers as part of their sale because they are a hassle to move and may not be the right size for a new home. You can even negotiate the price of an appliance as a sales price (including depreciation)
The final option is to move them yourself (with a friend, of course). It’s not so bad if you don’t have to drag them up and down a long flight of stairs. Just remember to clean, prepare, collect equipment, and recruit your strongest friends.
If you found this article helpful, you should also check out: How to Clean A Washing Machine？- 4 Steps And Some Materials
