Should I empty my dresser drawers before moving?

Should Dresser Drawers Be Emptied Before Moving?

As a general rule, it is highly recommended to empty dresser drawers before a move. This practice ensures safety, prevents damage, and makes the moving process more efficient for both individuals and professional removal teams.

Reasons to Empty Dresser Drawers

• Weight Distribution and Stability: Furniture, especially taller dressers, becomes top-heavy and unstable when drawers are full. This increases the risk of the item tipping over during transit, posing a significant hazard to movers and potentially damaging other items in the lorry.
• Prevention of Damage: Contents can shift and jostle inside drawers, leading to damage to the items themselves, or even the interior of the dresser. Drawers can also pop open during lifting or movement, becoming caught, bent, or broken.
• Reduced Overall Weight: Dressers are often heavy pieces of furniture to begin with. The added weight of clothes, books, or other possessions can make them exceptionally difficult and dangerous to lift. Reducing the weight makes lifting safer and reduces the strain on movers.
• Logistical Efficiency: Professional removal companies often prefer or require drawers to be emptied. This streamlines their process, as they can safely stack and manoeuvre the empty furniture without concern for shifting contents or protruding drawers.

When Light Contents Might Remain

In specific, limited circumstances, it may be permissible to leave very light and soft items, such as t-shirts, socks, or linens, in drawers. This exception generally applies under the following conditions:

• Robust Drawer Construction: The dresser must be solidly built with drawers that are not prone to bowing or coming loose.
• Secure Drawers: Each drawer must be securely taped shut using painter's tape or a similar low-adhesive tape that will not damage the finish. Wrapping the entire dresser in moving blankets and shrink wrap also helps to keep drawers contained.
• Short, Local Moves: This approach is generally only advisable for very short distances, such as moving furniture to another room, or a short journey within the same postcode area.
• Communication with Movers: Always confirm this approach with the removal company in advance. They may have specific policies or advice based on the furniture type and their equipment.

Items That Must Always Be Removed

Certain items should never be left in dresser drawers during a move:

• Valuables: Jewellery, important documents, or sentimental items should always be packed separately and transported personally or by a trusted method. A moving checklist often includes guidance on these items.
• Breakables: Glass, ceramics, or other fragile items are at high risk of breaking due to movement and impact.
• Liquids: Spills can damage the dresser and other possessions.
• Heavy Items: Books, electronics, kitchenware, or tools will significantly increase the weight and instability.

Best Practice for Emptying Drawers

When emptying drawers, pack the contents into appropriate moving boxes. Utilise a system that allows for easy unpacking, such as grouping similar items or packing by room. Proper packing methods can be found in various moving hacks guides to ensure items arrive safely.

Once empty, securing the drawers is still important to prevent them from sliding open during transit. This can be done with low-tack tape or by wrapping the entire dresser. For dressers with removable drawers, consider taking the drawers out and transporting them separately.