Preparing the appliance is half the job
Before you take an old washing machine or fridge for disposal, spend half an hour on preparation. Large appliances have water inside, loose parts and, in the case of fridges, refrigerant in the circuit. Transporting them without preparation ends with a puddle in the cargo area or a damaged machine that nobody will accept as working any more.
Drain the washing machine first
Even a switched-off washing machine holds several litres of water. Turn off the supply, unscrew the hoses and empty the water from them into a bucket. Then open the service flap at the bottom front, unscrew the pump filter and let the rest drain into a shallow container. It takes a little while, but it saves a soaked floor in the lift.
Secure the drum
A washing machine's drum hangs on springs and swings about during transport. If you have the original transport bolts, put them back. If you don't, pad the space around the drum with old blankets or towels and transport the machine upright only.
Empty, defrost and dry the fridge
It's best to unplug the fridge the day before. You clear out the food, let the ice thaw and wipe the inside dry. Take out the shelves and drawers and transport them separately, otherwise they'll crack along the way. Then secure the doors with a strap or tape, not with a rope round the whole casing.
The cable and hoses belong with the appliance
Coil up the power cable and tape it to the back. A loose cable gets caught on a door frame and is torn out. Put the washing machine hoses in a plastic bag and tape them to the appliance too, so they don't get lost along the way.
Measure the doors and stairs
A tall fridge-freezer won't fit through everywhere. Measure the width of the doors, the turn in the staircase and the internal height of the lift. If it's tight, take the flat's door off its hinges. You'll find the dimensions of our vans' cargo areas in our fleet.
Photograph the connections
Before you disconnect anything, take a few photos of the back of the appliance. They come in handy when you're installing a new one in the same place and aren't sure where the supply hose and the drain went. For built-in appliances, also photograph how the doors and trims are attached. A photo on your phone is quicker than tracking down the manual for a machine that hasn't been made for years. Keep the water tap closed until the new appliance is in place.
Carrying it out and transporting it
Don't do it alone
A large washing machine or a tall fridge weighs so much that one person can't carry it safely down the stairs. Arrange for a second person and get or borrow a sack truck with a strap. Shoulder straps distribute the weight better than gripping with your hands, and your fingers are free to steady the load.
In the van, upright only
Transport a fridge in an upright position. If you lay it down, oil from the compressor can flow into the cooling circuit. If you have no other option, leave it standing for several hours after transport before plugging it in. The same rule applies to a washing machine, only the reason is the way the drum is mounted.
Strap the appliance to the wall
A tall appliance won't stay put on its own. Stand it against the side wall or the bulkhead behind the cab and secure it with two straps to the anchor points in the floor. Put a piece of carpet or an old blanket under its feet so the metal doesn't slide and scrape the floor.
Drive more gently than usual
A tall appliance changes how the vehicle handles. Slow down before speed bumps and don't rely on the strap holding everything on bends. After the first hundred metres, stop and check whether the straps have slackened.
Consider whether the appliance really is finished
A working older washing machine or fridge can be given away or sold. Transport works exactly the same way, only you handle the appliance a little more carefully and pack its documents and accessories with it.
Where to take a worn-out appliance
Take-back when buying a new one
When you buy a new washing machine or fridge, the retailer is obliged to take back an old one of the same type. The conditions differ depending on whether you have the goods delivered or take them home yourself. Ask about this when ordering, not at the door.
Collection points and collective schemes
Electrical appliances can be handed in at collection points free of charge, provided they're complete. That's exactly why you should never take a fridge apart or rip out its compressor. A damaged cooling circuit turns it into waste that's handled differently, and handing it in can become complicated.
Practicalities of renting the van
You pick up the van contactlessly via the web app and find the keys in the passenger-side compartment. There's no deposit to pay, you don't create an account and mileage within the Czech Republic is unlimited. You can park your own car at the location free of charge for the duration of the rental. We have more answers in the FAQ section.
