Storing Your Washer and Dryer

If you’ve ever lived without a washer and dryer, then you know how wonderful it can be to have them in your house. Walking to the laundromat every week can get tiring, and being able to wash and dry clothes whenever you want can make life much easier. However, if you need to store your washer and dryer for some reason, it’s important to make sure you get them ready for the trip to the storage unit, and the time they will spend in that space.

At EZ Storage® in Pittsburgh, we can help you find the right spot for your washer and dryer. In this post, we’ll look at how you can get your appliances ready for long-term storage.

Clean Everything Thoroughly

You’re used to your washer getting your clothes clean, but when it comes time to store it, you’ll need to be sure the appliance itself is spick-and-span. A few days to a week before you plan to move it, run the washer through a clean rinse cycle. This will get rid of any built-up detergent or debris in the appliance. You can then turn off the water lines to the washer, disconnect the hoses, and let the appliance dry thoroughly by leaving the door open for a few days.

As for the dryer, make sure you take the lint trap out and clean it thoroughly. You can wash the trap with mild soap and hot water to remove any stubborn particles. If there are other removable pieces, take those off and scrub them until they’re clean. Let these air dry before you put them back into the appliance.

Secure the Electrical Cords

Once you’ve unplugged the washer and dryer from the wall outlet, make sure the electrical cords are properly secured to their respective appliances. You dryer plug may be a large 220V plug, and you’ll want to be sure it doesn’t get damaged in transit. If either of the plugs are looking worn or stripped, take the time to repair them with electrical tape, or have a certified electrician repair them before you store the appliances.

Putting the Appliances in Your Unit

Once you’ve let the washer and dryer sit for a few days and thoroughly dry following their cleaning, and you’ve secured the hoses and the electrical cords, you can move them into your self-storage unit. Renting or borrowing an appliance dolly can make the process much easier, or you can hire a local moving company to take care of everything. If you’re moving the appliances yourself, then be sure to ask about our free* local move-in truck.

Once the appliances are in the unit, make sure there is plenty of space around them for proper airflow. You can put them on pallets to get them off the ground, and you’ll want to prop the doors open just a bit. Be sure to cover them with a sheet or blanket to protect them from scratches and other damage while in storage.

No matter why you need to store your washer and dryer, the team at EZ Storage® is here to help you find the perfect space for your appliances. You might be moving to a smaller place and don’t have room for them, or you may be holding onto them for a friend or a relative. Whatever the case may be, you can rent a self-storage unit for as long as you need, and we’ll make sure that your washer and dryer are protected until you come to pick them up. You can access your unit on any day of the year, and our staff and resident managers are always here to help however they can.

We look forward to meeting you!

*At participating locations, some restrictions apply.