Packing and moving a dresser is trickier than you think. This is why you should first think about whether it’s worth moving or not. If you decide it’s not worth your time and energy to move it to the new house, see if the new owners would want it, or donate it to a local charity.
If you’ve decided to keep the dresser, it’s time to start prepping for the move. Here’s how to pack and move a dresser in nine easy steps.
1. Gather the Necessary Supplies
You will need:
- Furniture blankets: These thick protective blankets will wrap around the dresser to protect it against damage.
- Plastic wrap: Wrap this around the drawers so they don’t open and spill their contents when moving.
- Cardboard pieces: Pick up a bunch of sheets of thick cardboard to protect ornate areas and edges.
- Masking tape: Use this to tape the drawers closed if you don’t have plastic wrap.
- Packing tape: Use this to secure the furniture blankets to the dresser.
- Furniture sliders: These are pieces of rubber or plastic that you can place under the dresser to allow you to simply push it across the room without having to pick it up. For hardwood and tiled floors, you will need sliders with felt on the bottom. For carpet, you will need sliders with rubber or plastic on the bottom.
2. Use a Furniture Dolly
Your dresser can weigh between 100 and 150 pounds which is very difficult to pick up and transport on your own. That’s why you need a furniture dolly to help you, which is a low, flat platform with swivel wheels on the bottom. You can rent one from your moving company or pick one up at the home improvement store.
3. Get a Friend
Of course, your best bet is to hire movers to handle this task, but if you have decided not to, you will at least need the help of a buddy. Have them help you pack, load and transport the dresser. The more friends, the better.
4. Remove Items From the Dresser
To make the dresser as light as possible, it’s a good idea to remove items from the top of the dresser, as well as all the drawers. All that extra weight from clothes can add up. Remove clothing, sheets, towels, and blankets and place them into cardboard boxes. If you want to save time and you don’t have much in the drawers, it’s OK to leave the drawers as is.
5. Secure the Drawers
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.
6. Remove the Mirror
If your dresser has a mirror attached, you need to remove and pack this separately. You’ll have to remove the screws holding the mirror to the dresser. You will need help for this part. Lay the mirror on the ground, placing a large piece of cardboard over the surface, followed by thick furniture blankets. Add a layer of bubble wrap and you’re good to go. Keep all small parts and screws in a separate labeled baggie.
7. Wrap Blankets Around the Dresser
Wrap the dresser in four to five furniture blankets, using packing tape to secure them. Lastly, you should shrink-wrap the entire dresser to keep moisture and dirt away, especially if you plan on storing the dresser in between moves.
8. Load the Dresser Onto the Dolly
You and your friends will have to initially pick up the dresser to set it onto the dolly. Use straps to secure the load to the dolly once in place. The only trick with furniture dollies is that you can’t use them on stairs. To get the dresser up and down stairs, you will have to switch to an appliance dolly, which is a two-wheel L-shaped lever (AKA hand truck). Even so, taking a dresser down the stairs is a job best left to professionals.
9. Load the Dresser in the Truck
Push the dolly up the loading ramp and bring the dresser to the back of the vehicle. Secure it to the truck with straps so it doesn’t shift in transit.
Contact Around the Block Moving Company
Got a dresser you need help moving? It’s better to just hire us. We’ll bring the muscle and the equipment to get it moved in no time. Get your free quote when you contact us at 214-301-3919.
