The longer answer
01Our rule of thumb
Plan on emptying every drawer. For safety reasons, items need to come out before a dresser is carried. Folded clothes are the one thing you can leave in place for now; when the crew arrives, the foreman looks at the piece and makes the final call on whether it can travel with them inside.
02Why a full drawer is a problem
A loaded dresser can weigh far more than it looks, and the weight shifts when it tips on a stair or a ramp. Drawers can slide open mid-carry, catch a doorframe or pinch a hand. Heavy or hard contents also strain the drawer bottoms and joints, which is how older furniture cracks. Lighter, emptier pieces are simply safer for your furniture, your walls and our crew. They also move faster, and on an hourly job that time is yours.
03What can stay, what must go
| Contents | Leave in? |
|---|---|
| Folded clothing | Maybe; the foreman decides |
| Jewelry, watches, cash | No; carry these yourself |
| Glass, perfume bottles, ceramics | No; box them |
| Books, papers, heavy items | No; box them |
| Liquids of any kind | No; seal and box |
04Clothes on hangers and the rest of the closet
For anything hanging, use our wardrobe boxes. We bring about eight, they are free to use during the move, and we take them back afterward. If you want to keep one, it is $25. Clothes go straight from the rod to the bar inside the box, which saves folding and refolding. Shoes and accessories can go in a regular box underneath. More ideas are on our moving checklist and the residential moving page. If you would rather the crew empty and pack the drawers, see packing services.
FAQ Questions and answers
Is it worth emptying drawers if the dresser is small?
Yes. Even a small chest gets top-heavy and awkward on stairs when it is full, and breakables inside can shift and crack.
Can I leave sweaters in the bottom drawer?
Leave them for now if you like. The foreman will decide on the day whether the piece is safe to carry that way.
What about nightstands?
Same rule as dressers: empty them, especially of anything breakable or heavy.
