Although your washing machine will likely stay put in the same position for most of its life, there are a few occasions when you might need to move it. For example, if you're moving house, renovating or if there are issues behind your washer, you'll need to know how to disconnect your washing machine in order to move it.
Disconnecting your washing machine isn't as straightforward as unplugging your toaster from the mains, and you'll need to take extra care when it comes to the wires and hoses which provide your washer with power and water.
If you're needing to disconnect your washer, or simply want to know how it's done, we've put together a handy step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process.
How to disconnect a washing machine: A step-by-step guide
Step 1: Turning off your water and power supply
First things first, every house is different, and some washers will be easier to disconnect than others. The first job you'll need to do is turn off the power by unplugging it before turning off the water valves to your washing machine.
Some homes have an exposed valve that shuts off the water supply to the washing machine before the pipes reach the valve. If this is the case in your home, you simply need to close the valve to shut off the water. This is usually located under the sink in most homes.
If this isn't the case in your home, or you're struggling to close the valves, you could always turn off your entire homes water supply at the mains, although this is only really done when carrying out major plumbing repairs.
These valves normally turn off by turning clockwise until they can't be turned any further.
Step 2: Getting the right tools for the job
Luckily, disconnecting your washer doesn't require too many tools, and it's likely you'll have most of, if not all of the tools you need for the job. You will need:
• Cloths and towels for any spillages
• A bucket or large bowel for any excess water
• Adjustable pliers or a wrench
• A screwdriver
• A pair of gloves to protect your hands
Step 3: Pull your machine out
Once you've got all your tools and you're confident you've turned off the power and water supply securely, you should be ready to pull the washer away from the wall.
Washing machines can be heavy, so it's ideal to get someone to give you a helping hand for this step, after-all you don't want to injure yourself in the process! If you are alone, you should first pull one side and then the other rather than the whole thing at the same time - your back will thank us later!
You want to pull the machine as far away from the wall as you can without putting too much stress and pull on the hose pipes. Ideally, you want enough room for you to get behind the washer, but you may struggle to do this, especially if you're in a more modern home or if you have an integral washer in your kitchen.
This is when you might want to use your screwdriver to remove the worktop so it's easier for you to access the back of the washer and wall.
Step 4: Prepare for spillages
Pop your bucket and any towels under the water lines to collect any leaks that might happen.
Step 5: Disconnect from the washer
Now that your washer is moved out and you have your bucket and towels at the ready, you can disconnect the hot and cold hoses from the machine. You might need your pliers or wrench to turn any clamps on the hoses, and it'll likely take a bit of work to loosen these.
Once it's coming loose, you'll want to point the end of the hoses down towards your bucket to catch any excess water that might leak.
Step 6: Disconnect from the wall
You'll now want to remove the hoses from the wall connection by turning the ends anti-clockwise (perhaps with your pliers) until the hoses come loose. Again, you'll need to drain any excess water into the bucket by pointing the hoses in that direction.
Step 7: Removing the drain hose
The final step is to disconnect the drain hose or waste water pipe from the drain. This step is different depending on your homes plumbing set up and washing machine, so it's best to resort to your washing machine instructions for this step if you're unsure.