What is the best way to move a dresser?
We get asked a lot of questions about moving. One of the most frequently asked questions is about moving a dresser!
So, we thought we'd write a little bit about it.
Dressers, wardrobes, and desk drawers are super useful for storing all sorts of things, including clothing, papers, jewelry, and other miscellaneous items. However, the more you add to a dresser the heavier it becomes. Plus, most dressers are heavy, to begin with without anything in them to start. On average an empty dresser can weigh between 100 to 150 pounds!
So, the best way to move a dresser includes making it as light as possible.
Do my dresser drawers need to be empty?
In short, yes the drawers need to be emptied. There are actually a few reasons your drawers need to be empty when moving a dresser.
Firstly, because it makes the dresser lighter, this makes it is easier to move.
Secondly, is that dressers are not actually made to be moved. As a result, dressers are fairly delicate pieces of furniture. The hardware in the dresser which makes the drawers slide easily is one of the most common parts that are prone to breakage during a move. This is especially true if the drawers are not empty and heavy during the move. The other common part that is prone to breakage is the bottom of the drawers. The bottoms of your drawers may fall out if the drawers are filled with clothing or other loose or fragile items.
In summary, for the reasons of ease of movement, the safety of your belongings arriving unharmed, and reducing the stress on the drawers and hinges, we make it mandatory that dressers be empty when moved.
Can I leave anything in the drawers?
We understand that some items are small and seem like they would not add a lot of weight to a dresser. However, we advise removing everything.
There is always a small chance that the dresser drawers may open in the truck during the move. If this were to happen, then anything that was inside the drawer may be thrown around inside of the truck.
Additionally, movers may need to tip your dresser when moving it downstairs or turn the dresser on its side to get around tricky corners or through doorways. So, it is safer for your items to be elsewhere than to be jostled about inside the drawers.
The safety of your belongings is our top priority. Therefore, we advise you to empty all content from drawers before moving them. We advise you to pack them in separate boxes. As a result, we can assure you that your dresser and other possessions arrive safely.
How should I pack the stuff I remove from my dresser?
It is highly recommended to pack clothing in suitcases or small to medium size boxes. Other alternatives include plastic totes or even contractor-strength garbage bags. All of these containers are acceptable for moving and storing clothing.
If you are packing away papers, we recommend using a box designed for file folders or file boxes. These work best to keep the papers in shape and from being wrinkled.
In addition, small, fragile or valuable items should also be wrapped and packed separately, and be sure to mark these boxes as fragile to alert the moves to treat them with extra care.
Do the movers pack and wrap my dresser for the move?
Dressers require protective wrapping to keep them from harm while moving. Our professional movers use heavily padded blankets that are specially made for moving. These protective blankets provide extra padding to your dresser to protect it from scuffs, scratches, and dings during the moving process. So, your dresser will have the extra cushioning it needs.
The moving blanket will then be held in place with either tape or an extra-large rubber band made for moving.
Once the blanket is secured to the dresser, the movers will additionally place shrink wrap around it to pad and secure it. The shrink wrap helps to keep the dresser clean during the move and it makes the dresser easier to grip and therefore easier to move.
Other types of furniture with drawers that should be emptied
Be sure to follow the same guidelines for all of your furniture with drawers. We want to assure you that you and your belongings have a safe moving experience. So, if you are moving any of the following items, be sure to empty the drawers and secure your items.
- Desk
- Filing Cabinet
- Dressers
- Tables with drawers
- Beds with drawers
- Nightstand
- Armoire
- Entertainment Center
- Sideboard
- China Closet
If you have any concerns about moving or would like to begin the process of getting a moving quote, speak with one of our helpful moving experts.
