Getting ready to pack up your household appliances and put them into self-storage? Not quite sure where to start? Whether you’re moving, downsizing or preparing to renovate your home, learning how to store appliances, whitegoods, and other items can keep them in top condition, prevent mildew and stop you from pinching your nose from ungodly odours.
To avoid costly replacements and keep your valuable appliances and whitegoods ready to use, our handy guide shares clever tips for cleaning and valuable appliance storage ideas to ensure your washers, fridges and other home goods are maintained at their peak. Learn our tips once and you’ll protect your property for a lifetime.
Get ‘em Clean and Dry
Make those appliances sparkle before you load them onto the truck or trailer. Be sure to clean, dry and defrost all your items before placing them in a storage unit.
Washing Machine
While “washing your washing machine” may sound funny, the dirt and grime that’s built up inside is nothing to laugh at. Bust those filthy dust bunnies with these simple steps for sparkling up your washing machine:
- Run a hot-temperature full-cycle wash, adding 1/2 cup bicarb soda and 2 cups white vinegar once the machine is full.
- Dampen a clean cloth with warm water and wipe away any dust or stains on the outside of your machine.
- Once the cycle has finished, keep the door open to dry inside.
And voilà! A clean and dry washing machine that’s ready for storage.
Refrigerator and Microwave
If your kitchen appliances have gone sour, sort them out with a lemon. No, really – cleaning your refrigerator, microwave, and other appliances is easy with a DIY lemon cleaner.
Simply cut a lemon in half and squeeze its juicy goodness into a microwave-safe bowl of water. Zap the bowl in the microwave for 3 minutes. Your magic lemon juice will boil and steam, loosening any crusty evidence of late-night nachos lurking inside the microwave. Remove the bowl and wipe with a damp cloth.
Once it has cooled, dip your cloth into your lemon water concoction and wipe your refrigerator clean. Keep the doors of your microwave and fridge open to dry, and hey presto, your kitchen appliances are ready for your storage unit.
Side Note: Do you have a slight obsession with coffee? Check out our guide on how to deep clean an espresso machine to protect it for long-term storage.
Deodorise (Or Your Nose Will Regret It)
Put those pits away—we’re talking about your whitegoods. Can you imagine returning to your storage unit to reclaim your refrigerator only to be met with a stale smell upon opening the door? To avoid unpleasant odours, keep the washing machine, dishwasher, and refrigerator doors ajar while in storage and place a deodoriser inside.
A great natural way to absorb nasty smells is to place a plate of baking soda or coffee grounds in your fridge while in storage.
Protect their feet and your floors
Moving appliances in and out of your home and self-storage can be rough on your floors and bulky appliances. Dragging them, even with great care, can leave scratches on tiles and floorboards and damage to appliances like fridges mounted on adjustable castor wheels or levelling feet. If your whitegoods are too heavy to carry, avoid swinging the corners to push them forward — dragging your appliance’s feet can grind the surface away, causing them to stand slightly askew.
Instead, slide them onto a dolly or at least onto a thick drop sheet to protect your property and make it easier — on your back, floors and whitegoods — to move bulky appliances in and out of your home and storage unit when needed.
Store Them Safely
Now that your appliances are ready for storage, it’s time to consider how to best store them. Here are some handy hints:
- Ensure all electrical cords and components are unplugged and securely placed inside their appliance.
- Any hoses or cords that cannot be disconnected should be carefully coiled and taped down to avoid tangling and damage. Pay attention to eliminate the risk of cuts, leaving wires inside cords exposed.
- When possible, place smaller appliances, such as microwaves or blenders, in their original packaging.
- Position whitegoods standing up as they would be at home. Storing them on their side can cause damage. This is especially important for fridges to prevent oil from the compressor from seeping into cooling lines.
- Cover high-value appliances with a fabric sheet to protect the finish.
- Avoid stacking heavy, bulky items on top of your whitegoods.
Sneaky storage tip: If you’re using your storage unit for other small household items, make the most of your bulky appliances by using them for storage. Fridge shelves make a very handy temporary bookcase or DVD cabinet.
How to store a fridge long-term
After your fridge has been cleaned and dried, place it in your storage unit, standing upright. If you’ve positioned it in the corner of your appliance storage, give it some space to allow you to open the door without it catching on walls and other items.
Your parents may have taught you to stop keeping the fridge door open for long periods, but now is your time to break the rules! Store something lightweight but bulky inside to keep the doors ajar and prevent icky smells from mucking up its internal cavity.
Bonus appliance storage idea: If you live in a hot and humid climate, leave an opened box of baking soda inside or by your fridge that can help absorb mildew to protect the door’s seal.
How to store a washing machine
There isn’t much to washing machine storage. Like fridges, it should be thoroughly cleaned and dried before sending it off to your self-storage unit. You’ll also want to keep the door ajar to prevent odours from building up.
Try keeping an opened box of baking soda to absorb moisture and prevent it from damaging the door’s gasket seal. Are you obsessed with keeping dust away? Avoid plastic coverings, which can trap mildew and moisture. Instead, opt for an old cloth blanket that’s seen better days. If you’re someone who can’t help themselves and always goes above and beyond, securing the drum with shipping bolts will lock it in place. This ensures it stays aligned and prevents damage to your machine’s suspension system and other internal components.
Maximise your appliance storage with National Storage
How you maintain your appliances is important. Don’t believe us? Try going without them for a few days! If you need to store appliances and whitegoods, opt for a facility specially designed to keep your property in peak condition.
With short- and long-term appliance storage facilities available nationwide in various sizes to accommodate every need, you can relax knowing your appliances are in good hands in one of our clean and dry self-storage units. Get in touch today to discuss a solution for your storage needs.
Storing more than whitegoods? We’ve got your back. Check out our tips for storing furniture.
Ready to plan your move and store appliances? Print and follow our checklist below.
✅ Ultimate Appliance Storage Checklist
🧼 Step 1: Clean and Prepare Your Appliances
- Unplug the appliance and disconnect any water lines or hoses.
- Remove all contents (e.g., food, coffee pods, detergent, filters).
- Defrost the refrigerator/freezer 24–48 hours in advance.
- Wipe interior surfaces with a solution of white vinegar and water or a lemon-based cleaner.
- Run a cleaning cycle on the washing machine and dishwasher with vinegar and baking soda.
- Remove and clean detachable parts (e.g., trays, shelves, filters).
- Dry all surfaces thoroughly to prevent mould or mildew growth.
🌸Step 2: Deodorise and Protect Against Odours
- Place an open box of baking soda or coffee grounds inside fridges or washing machines.
- Keep doors slightly ajar using a towel, wedge, or block to promote airflow.
⚙️ Step 3: Secure Components and Cords
- Wrap and secure cords and hoses with tape or elastic bands.
- Store small detachable parts (e.g., filters, trays, knobs) in a labelled bag inside the appliance.
- Tape down any loose or moving parts to prevent damage in transit.
🏋️ Step 4: Move With Care
- Use furniture sliders or a dolly to transport heavy appliances.
- Avoid dragging appliances to prevent damage to feet and floors.
- Cover appliances with moving blankets or drop sheets to protect finishes.
🏠 Step 5: Store Strategically
- Place appliances upright in the storage unit — never on their side.
- Avoid stacking heavy items on top of large appliances.
- Store smaller appliances in original boxes, if available.
- Use interior fridge shelves or washer drums to store soft, light items like linens or books.
- Cover with a breathable fabric cloth to protect from dust without trapping moisture.
