Moving a washing machine safely needs three things: drain it, lock the drum, and keep it upright.
Run a short cycle to drain the water, then disconnect the hoses and let the inlet pipes dry overnight. Most modern machines have transit bolts that lock the drum in place — fit them back through the rear panel before lifting. If the bolts are lost, pad the drum with towels so it can’t bounce around on the journey.
In the van, strap the machine upright against the wall. Never lay it on its back: the internal suspension is built for vertical loads only. Don’t tilt past 45 degrees at any point. Stairs and the weight (60–80kg) make this a genuine two-person job.
Booking a man and van for an appliance move gets you the second person, loading straps, and a van sized for the job.
