Quintessential kitchen appliances like your refrigerator, oven, and dishwasher are the backbone of every kitchen —refrigerators keep your fruits and vegetables fresh, ovens help you prepare warm family meals, and dishwashers act as your cleaning-time compatriot, removing the hard-to-remove gunk that your sponge just can’t handle. 

That said, when you’re moving or renovating your small kitchen, you want to ensure you’re storing your must-have kitchen appliances with care.

With some heavy lifting, thorough cleaning, and a well-planned kitchen storage space strategy, you can ensure that your kitchen appliances are taken care of—no matter where they are stored. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to store big kitchen appliances and some personal storage ideas to help you organize before your move or renovation. Get organized today and one step closer to your dream kitchen. 

How to Store Your Refrigerator

Your refrigerator is most likely the largest appliance in your kitchen. Whether you’re moving to a new place or closing up your kitchen for a renovation, there are a few steps you need to take to ensure that your refrigerator is ready to go when you need it again:1

  • Step 1: Clean and defrost – Defrosting your refrigerator and giving it a deep clean helps eliminate the chance of excess moisture or food remnants growing bacteria, mold, or attracting insects and rodents while in storage. Be sure to dry it thoroughly after cleaning.
  • Step 2: Move it carefully – Remember to avoid tilting your refrigerator while you move it. This is the best way to ensure internal liquids don’t move around and protect the compressor from damage.
  • Step 3: Keep it dry – Just as important as drying your refrigerator out before putting it in storage is to ensure it stays dry while it’s in storage. Removing the doors before storing allows air to circulate inside the refrigerator, keeping it dry. 

You can protect the exterior of your refrigerator from damage during transportation to a self storage unit and while it’s in storage by wrapping it in bubble wrap or another protective wrap.

How to Store Your Oven

Knowing how to store large appliances like your oven can essentially be broken down into two important but simple steps:2 

  • Step 1: Clean – About 24 to 48 hours before moving, run your oven’s self-cleaning cycle. When it’s finished, use a mixture of vinegar and water to wipe down your oven. Be sure to remove any burners or drip pans and clean those too. Then let the oven dry thoroughly.
  • Step 2: Protect – You can protect your oven racks and other fragile parts by stuffing the oven for transport and storage. Packing materials are the best option, though bunched-up newspapers will also work in a pinch.

You’ll need to disconnect your oven from power sources or gas lines if you have a gas oven. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer for instructions on disconnecting and moving your specific model. 

How to Store Your Dishwasher

Your dishwasher makes cleaning up after meals a breeze. But you’ll need to spend a few days washing your dishes by hand before your dishwasher goes into storage. It’s recommended that you refrain from running your dishwasher for at least a week before packing it up.3

When it’s time to take it to a self-storage unit, be sure to:

  • Drain and disconnect – After it’s sat unused for a time, go ahead and drain any excess liquid from your dishwasher. Then disconnect it from power and water. 
  • Clean it manually – Water, baking soda, and little elbow grease are all you need to scrub the inside of your dishwasher. This step is crucial to banishing any food remnants that may rot in storage. 
  • Dry thoroughly – Just like your other appliances, you’ll want to sidestep mold, mildew, and other storage hazards by making sure your dishwasher is dried completely after you clean it.

Be sure to detach the dishwasher from power and water after cleaning it. On the day of your move, be sure to wrap it in bubble wrap or moving pads to protect it during transport.4

Store Kitchen Appliances With Price Self Storage

If you’re moving, renovating, or struggling to figure out how to store appliances in a small kitchen, a self-storage unit might be your solution. And when you’re looking for a self-storage unit where you can store your belongings with peace of mind, Price Self Storage is who you should turn to.

Why choose Price Self Storage?

When you store your things with us, you can rest assured that your belongings are stored at a facility with keypad-controlled access and security cameras. You also get the convenience of our month-to-month leases. 

Ready to store your things? Use our storage size chart to figure out the right size unit for you, then rent online today. 

 

Sources: 

  1. SpareFoot. How to Store A Refrigerator: A Step-by-Step Guide. https://www.sparefoot.com/self-storage/blog/570-storing-a-fridge/ 
  2. West Point Corn Academy. How To Prepare Your Large Kitchen Appliances For Time In A Storage Unit. http://westpointcornfestival.com/2015/12/14/how-to-prepare-your-large-kitchen-appliances-for-time-in-a-storage-unit/ 
  3. Falconer Removals. How to Store a Dishwasher. https://www.falconerremovals.co.uk/industry-news/how-to-store-a-dishwasher/ 
  4. Moving.com. How to Move a Dishwasher. https://www.moving.com/tips/how-to-move-a-dishwasher/