How To Keep Dresser Drawers From Falling Out While Moving (2024)

How To Keep Dresser Drawers From Falling Out While Moving (1)

Although moving is an exciting process, it can be very stressful to get everything packed up and ready to go. Fortunately, with enough early preparation, you can be all set by moving day. Preparing furniture for a move is one of the trickiest parts because these items are too large to pack into boxes.

It’s especially tricky when you’re trying to move a dresser with loose or unsecured drawers. Since the professionals at Georgetown Moving and Storage Company aim to make your move as easy and safe as possible, we’ve created this guide to help you pack and move your dresser in a way that will keep the drawers from falling out.

Need help packing and moving the belongings in your Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia home? Contact Georgetown Moving and Storage Company today at (703) 889-8899!

Packing Supplies You’ll Need

Before you can properly pack and move your dresser, you’ll need a few items to help you out! Gather the following supplies to ensure a smooth process:

  • Moving Blankets
  • Packing Tape
  • Plastic Wrap or Masking Tape
  • *Furniture Sliders or Dolly

*Use furniture sliders or a dolly if you’re more comfortable sliding the dresser rather than picking it up!

How to Pack & Move a Dresser

Follow these tips to prepare your dresser before the movers arrive:

  • Empty the drawers: If you move your dresser with the drawers full of clothing and linens, the gliders are more likely to become damaged as the drawers bounce around inside the moving truck. Therefore, you should pack the contents of your dresser drawers in boxes.
  • Keep the drawers in the dresser: Most of the time, it’s best not to remove the drawers from your dresser. This way, it only takes one trip to move the entire piece of furniture.
  • Wrap the dresser to secure the drawers: If you attempt to tape your dresser drawers shut, be sure to use masking tape as other types may damage the finish with the adhesive. If you do not have masking tape, plastic wrap is a good alternative to wrap your dresser and prevent the drawers from spilling out. You can then snugly wrap the dresser with a moving blanket and tape the padding in place with packing tape. This serves to protect the furniture from dings and scratches.
  • Remove mirrors: If your dresser features a large mirror, remove it and wrap it separately for transport. If the drawers themselves have mirror inlays, tape cardboard over the glass before wrapping the dresser. Additionally, label the outside of the padding to indicate where the glass is located so the movers are careful not to put pressure there.
  • Move the dresser carefully: Depending on the size of the furniture, two or more people may need to carry it. A dolly is a helpful tool for long hallways or sidewalks, but if you hire professional movers for the job, they will be able to handle the heavy lifting required to move a dresser.

Should You Remove the Drawers from Your Dresser When Moving?

The only time we would suggest removing the drawers from your dresser is if the cumulative weight of the drawers makes a large, high-end dresser too heavy to carry. This also gives you the opportunity to use the drawers as makeshift boxes, saving you from emptying their contents into boxes and refilling the dresser after the move. This could be a convenient option if you’re relocating only a short distance.

Also, if you do end up removing the drawers from your dresser, make sure you don’t put full drawers back in the dresser once you get out to the moving truck. This could put excessive pressure on the gliders. Instead, wrap the drawers with plastic to keep the contents inside and place the dresser drawers in your car.

Choose Georgetown Moving and Storage Company

Whether you need help packing your belongings, or transporting boxes and furniture on moving day, Georgetown Moving and Storage Company offers the affordable, award-winning services you’re looking for! Our highly capable team has years of training and experience to deliver a job well done for every customer. We are fully certified and licensed, and we carry maximum liability insurance.

To learn more about how to keep your dresser drawers from falling out while moving in the DC, MD, or VA area, contact us today at (703) 889-8899!

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How To Keep Dresser Drawers From Falling Out While Moving (2024)

FAQs

How To Keep Dresser Drawers From Falling Out While Moving? ›

Wrap the dresser to secure the drawers: If you attempt to tape your dresser drawers shut, be sure to use masking tape as other types may damage the finish with the adhesive. If you do not have masking tape, plastic wrap is a good alternative to wrap your dresser and prevent the drawers from spilling out.

How to secure dresser drawers when moving? ›

Regardless of what you choose to do, you still don't want the drawers to swing open when moving the dresser. Tape the drawers shut with painter's tape or marking tape but don't use packing tape because it can damage the finish. You could also stretch some plastic wrap over the drawers and then around the entire unit.

How do I keep my dresser drawer bottoms from falling out? ›

If the bottom won't stay in the grooves, or if they're broken away and you need added strength and rigidity, reinforce the bottom panel with a plywood panel cut to fit perfectly between the drawer front, sides, and back, as shown below. Use the thickest plywood you can that won't protrude below the drawer's sides.

Do you take the drawers out of a dresser when moving? ›

Not sure how to pack your clothes up for that big move? Here are some packing tips to make the process easier! Yes, you can leave clothes in the dresser when moving, but you will need to remove the drawers from the dresser, as we are unable to move dressers with clothes in them.

How do I stop my drawers from sliding? ›

To prevent drawers from sliding open, you can use locking drawer slides, drawer locks, magnetic locks, child safety locks, etc. to ensure that the drawer is securely closed.

What causes dresser drawers to stick? ›

Dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate on the tracks and cause the drawer to stick and slide with difficulty.

What is the best way to move a dresser? ›

How to move a heavy dresser
  1. Begin by taking it apart (sort of) ...
  2. Create a little give with furniture sliders. ...
  3. Move the heavy dresser using a furniture dolly. ...
  4. Add some wheels. ...
  5. Try an uplifting strategy. ...
  6. If there are stairs. ...
  7. Moving straps. ...
  8. Hand dolly.
Nov 20, 2022

Can you leave stuff in the dresser when moving? ›

Empty Dressers are Easier to Move

That's one reason we always recommend removing all items from all furniture. However, if time or resources dictate, it's generally okay (but never recommended) to leave soft, light, and non-fragile items like clothes or linens in small and low-weight dressers.

How do you secure a wobbly dresser? ›

Follow these simple steps to make your dresser more stable.
  1. Step 1: Determine what is causing the wobble. ...
  2. Step 2: Tighten any loose screws. ...
  3. Step 3: Use wood glue on any loose joints. ...
  4. Step 4: Check the bottom of the dresser. ...
  5. Step 5: Place it back where is goes and test the stability.
Apr 3, 2023

How to safely move a dresser? ›

Start by lifting one side of the dresser, or other piece of large furniture, and placing a slider under the leg. Be sure that the smooth side is down on the ground and the padded side is facing the legs. Now that you have placed sliders under each leg or side, you can push the furniture.

How do you secure a chest of drawers? ›

If you have the anchoring kit that came with your furniture, remove the dresser's back panel and attach to the wall using the provided hardware. If you tossed the parts, an angle bracket can still do the trick.

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