How to Prepare Your Appliance for Free Pickup (Checklist)
Preparing your appliance takes 15–30 minutes and makes pickup faster and safer for everyone. Here's the complete checklist for every major appliance type — what to do, what not to do, and what to flag in your request.
A little preparation before your appliance pickup goes a long way. It keeps the job safe for the crew, protects your floors and walls during the move, and means no delays on pickup day. None of this is complicated — most of it is just disconnecting a few things and clearing a path. Here's what to do for every major appliance type.
Universal Prep Steps for All Appliances
These apply regardless of which appliance you're having picked up:
Unplug the appliance from the wall (or confirm gas/water is shut off for applicable units)
Clear a path from the appliance to the nearest exterior door — move furniture, rugs, boxes, or anything else blocking the route
Measure any tight doorways or hallways in advance and note them in your request if they're under 32 inches wide
Note any stairs (interior or exterior) in your request — so the crew can bring the right equipment
Make sure someone 18 or older is home during the entire 2-hour arrival window
Have a clear spot outside (driveway or curb) where the crew can stage the appliance temporarily if needed
Clear the path from the appliance to the nearest exterior door before the crew arrives
Refrigerator Prep Checklist
Refrigerators require the most advance prep of any appliance because of food removal and defrosting. Plan 24–48 hours ahead.
Empty all food, condiments, and items from every shelf, drawer, and door compartment
Remove any magnets, papers, or items attached to the exterior
If your model has a manual defrost freezer: unplug the refrigerator 24 hours before pickup and place towels to catch meltwater
If your refrigerator has an ice maker: turn off the ice maker and disconnect the water supply line from the wall valve — turn the valve clockwise to close, then disconnect the tubing from the back of the fridge
Tape shelves and drawers in place with painter's tape so they don't slide during the move (this prevents glass shelves from shattering)
Pull the refrigerator away from the wall 6–12 inches if possible so the crew can access the back
Leave the doors closed until the crew arrives to prevent interior moisture issues
Weight note: Standard refrigerators weigh 200–400 lbs. French door and side-by-side models trend toward the upper end. A clear, wide path is essential — the hauler handles the lifting. See our refrigerator pickup guide for more details.
Disconnecting the water supply valves before pickup day speeds up the process significantly
Washer Prep Checklist
The main task for washers is draining the drum and disconnecting the water supply. Allow about 20 minutes.
Run a final spin cycle to drain as much water as possible from the drum and pump
Turn off both the hot and cold water supply valves behind the machine — turn clockwise to close
Disconnect the hot and cold inlet hoses from the wall valves (have a towel ready for residual water)
Disconnect the drain hose from the standpipe or sink drain
Unplug the power cord
If stacked with a dryer, note this in your request — stacked units require extra care during separation
Pull the washer away from the wall 6–12 inches if the layout allows
Weight note: Front-load washers weigh 150–230 lbs; top-load units 130–180 lbs. Our crew handles the lifting — you just need the path clear. See our washer pickup guide.
Dryer Prep Checklist
Electric and gas dryers have slightly different prep requirements. The single most important step for gas dryers is shutting off the gas supply.
Remove all clothing and items from the drum
Electric dryer: Unplug the 240V cord from the outlet
Gas dryer: Turn off the gas supply valve behind the unit — the valve handle should be perpendicular to the gas line when closed. If you're uncomfortable doing this, call your gas utility or a plumber before pickup day
Disconnect the dryer vent hose from the back of the unit (usually a clamp or friction fit)
Do NOT run a self-cleaning or high-heat cycle before pickup — the unit needs to be fully cooled before moving
Note if stacked with a washer in your request
Pull the dryer away from the wall 6–12 inches if possible
Built-in dishwashers require water shutoff under the sink. Portable countertop dishwashers are simpler — just disconnect and move near the door.
Remove all dishes, racks, and utensil baskets
Turn off the water supply valve under the kitchen sink (the hot water valve serving the dishwasher)
Built-in dishwasher: Note in your request — the hauler handles the unbolting from the countertop and cabinet, and disconnection of supply and drain lines
Portable/countertop dishwasher: Disconnect from faucet adapter, drain any residual water from the interior, and move near the front door if it's on wheels
Gas ranges require a gas shutoff. Electric ranges just need to be unplugged. Wall ovens require note in your request — our crew handles the unbolting.
Remove all pots, pans, bakeware, and items from the oven and storage drawer
Remove grates, burner caps, and oven racks separately — these can be recycled separately or kept if you want them
Gas range: Turn off the gas supply valve behind or below the unit. If you can't locate or access the valve safely, note this in your request
Electric range: Unplug from the 240V outlet
Do NOT run the self-clean cycle before pickup — self-clean heats the oven to 900°F+ and the unit needs to be fully cooled before it can be safely moved. Allow at least 4 hours after any self-clean cycle
Freestanding range: Pull away from the wall 6 inches to allow access to the rear connection
Wall oven: Note in your request — our crew handles unbolting from the wall cabinet
Water heaters require the most time-sensitive prep: draining a full tank takes 20–45 minutes. Start the drain process the morning of your pickup, or the evening before.
Gas water heater: Turn the gas control knob to the "Pilot" or "Off" position — this shuts off the burner without extinguishing the pilot (or fully shuts off the gas on newer units with electronic ignition)
Electric water heater: Turn off the dedicated circuit breaker for the water heater in your electrical panel
Close the cold water inlet valve at the top of the tank — turn clockwise to close
Open a hot water faucet somewhere in the house (a bathroom sink works well) — this allows air into the tank so water drains freely
Attach a standard garden hose to the drain valve near the bottom of the tank
Run the hose to a floor drain, utility sink, or outside — the water will be hot initially
Open the drain valve (turn counterclockwise) and let the tank drain — a 50-gallon tank takes 20–45 minutes
Once drained, close the drain valve and disconnect the hose
Note any sediment buildup in your request — heavily silted tanks can have seized drain valves
Why draining matters: A full 50-gallon water heater weighs approximately 550 lbs with water. An empty tank weighs 100–150 lbs. Draining is essential for safe removal. See our water heater pickup guide.
Freezer Prep Checklist
Chest freezers and upright freezers both need to be emptied and defrosted. Allow 24–48 hours for full defrost.
Remove and relocate all frozen food 24–48 hours before pickup (insulated coolers with ice work well for a day or two)
Unplug the freezer 24–48 hours before pickup to allow full defrost
Place towels or a shallow tray around the base to catch meltwater during defrosting
Once defrosted, wipe out any residual moisture from the interior
Chest freezers in garages: Often have limited clearance around them — clear at least 3 feet on all accessible sides before the crew arrives
Tape the lid or door shut with painter's tape to prevent it from swinging open during the move
These are the most frequent issues that slow down or complicate a pickup — all easy to avoid:
Not draining the water heater. A full tank adds 400+ lbs and makes safe removal nearly impossible without specialized equipment. This is the single most common cause of a rescheduled pickup.
Not disconnecting the ice maker water line. When the fridge is pulled out, an intact water line can pull tight, damage the wall valve, or spray water. Disconnecting it takes 2 minutes.
Running the oven self-clean cycle right before pickup. Extremely hot surfaces are a safety hazard. Always allow at least 4 hours of cooling time.
Not being home during the pickup window. Someone 18 or older must be present. If plans change, reschedule rather than hoping a neighbor can cover — the crew needs access authorization from the account holder.
Blocked hallway or stairwell. A 200-lb refrigerator can't be safely maneuvered through a hallway full of boxes. The crew can't remove obstacles — that's your job before they arrive.
Forgetting to note access issues in your request. Spiral staircases, very tight utility closets, appliances in finished basements with small windows — these need to be flagged in advance, not discovered on pickup day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to disconnect the appliance myself before pickup?
For most appliances, basic disconnection — unplugging, turning off water valves, turning off gas — is the homeowner's responsibility and takes just a few minutes. The hauler handles the physical removal from wherever the appliance is located. For built-in dishwashers and wall ovens, we handle the unbolting and disconnection from cabinetry. If you're unsure whether you can safely disconnect a gas line or water supply, a plumber or appliance technician can do it quickly for a modest fee.
What if the appliance is in a tight spot?
Let us know in your request. Tight hallways, narrow doorways, low ceilings, basement steps, and stacked configurations are all situations our haulers handle regularly. The key is to note it when you schedule so the right equipment comes with the truck. If there's a particularly narrow path, clearing furniture or obstacles beforehand helps the job go faster.
Can you pick up same-day if I prep it now?
Same-day availability depends on your location and current scheduling. Many areas offer next-day or same-week availability. Check the schedule page for current windows in your zip code. For refrigerators and water heaters specifically, completing the defrost or drain before scheduling gives you full flexibility to book the earliest available slot.
What if I can't drain the water heater before pickup?
A full 50-gallon water heater adds 400+ lbs to an already-heavy unit. The hauler can still remove it, but it significantly increases the difficulty and time required. If draining isn't possible before pickup — for example, if the drain valve is seized — let us know in your request and we'll plan accordingly. In some cases, a plumber may need to address a faulty valve before the unit can be safely moved.
Ready? Request Free Pickup
Once you've prepped your appliance, submitting a request takes under 2 minutes. A local partner will call or text you within 24 hours to arrange a pickup time. Working appliances get refurbished and resold; broken ones are recycled — keeping everything out of the landfill.
