Written by Move and Care Team
Edited and Fact Checked by Taras Kim
Updated: January 13, 2024
Quick Checklist for Moving a Dresser
- Empty all drawers to lighten the load and prevent damage.
- Secure drawers with tape or remove them completely.
- Wrap the dresser in protective padding to avoid scratches.
- Use a dolly or furniture sliders to move heavy pieces easily.
- Recruit help to navigate tight spaces and prevent injury.
IMAGINED EFFICIENCY?
It would be nice to be able to move your dresser and all its contents in one fell swoop, right? Simply leave your clothes in their drawers, plop the dresser on the truck, and haul it off to your new home. It would save time, in theory, and make the final unpacking all the easier—but unfortunately, it doesn’t usually work out that way in practice. We recommend that you always empty your dresser before a move, and we’ve got a couple of good reasons why.
REMOVE CLOTHES FOR BEST RESULTS
A set of drawers full of...well, sets of drawers, is usually a lot heavier than you might expect. While maneuvering an empty dresser out of a house or apartment is pretty straightforward, adding a significant amount of extra weight makes the process far more physically taxing than it needs to be, and amplifies the chances of personal injury (or damage to property).
Speaking of damage to property: In our experience, most dressers are simply not built to be moved while full of items. Multiple people wrangling a full dresser around corners, down flights of stairs, and through doorways can cause stress on the piece’s joints, which more often than not can lead to damage and structural instability.
Removing your clothes (from the dresser, not your person) may seem like a pointless extra step, but trust us: This is an instance where “a stitch in time saves nine.” Empty your dresser before you try to move it to avoid back strain, crushed knuckles, and the need to find a new dresser in a new city.
💡 PRO TIP: Use stretch wrap to keep the dresser’s drawers securely closed during transport if you can’t remove them. This prevents damage and avoids losing parts while on the move.
FAQ
Answer: Only if the dresser is sturdy and you’re moving it a short distance. Always remove breakables or heavy items to avoid damage.
Answer: If the dresser is modular or too large to maneuver through doorways, disassembling may help. Otherwise, wrapping and padding should suffice for most moves.
If you want to save time and effort moving, explore our services to see exactly how we can help.
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info@move-and-care.com.
