Moving is never an easy task, especially when it comes to large, bulky furniture. Among all the items in a home, dressers often pose the greatest challenge due to their weight and awkward shape.
Handling them properly requires planning, the right tools, and sometimes professional help to avoid injury or damage.
Understanding the Challenge of Heavy Dressers
Before lifting or moving a dresser, it’s important to understand just how heavy these pieces can be. On average, a fully loaded dresser can weigh anywhere from 150 to 300 pounds (68 to 136 kg). Larger solid wood dressers can even exceed 400 pounds.
Statistics indicate that over 80% of home moving injuries are related to improper lifting or carrying of heavy furniture. Knowing this, preparation becomes the first and most crucial step.
Why Dressers Are Tricky to Move
- Shape and size: Dressers are usually wide, tall, and awkward to grip.
- Hidden weight: Many people forget that a fully loaded dresser includes clothing, personal items, and sometimes heavy drawer bottoms.
- Limited maneuverability: Doorways, hallways, and staircases often restrict how dressers can be moved.
Planning Your Move
A good plan can make a difficult move safer and faster. Some essential steps include:
- Measure the dresser and passageways to avoid tight squeezes.
- Clear walkways of clutter, rugs, or cords to prevent trips and falls.
- Determine the moving route from the room to the moving truck.
- Check weight distribution if placing the dresser in a moving truck, keeping heavy items near the front for stability.
The Role of Professional Movers
Sometimes, even careful planning isn’t enough. Hiring professional movers can save time, effort, and reduce injury risk. My Good Movers, a reputable moving directory, lists trusted professionals who specialize in handling bulky furniture safely.
Professional movers bring experience, proper equipment, and insurance, making them a reliable choice for anyone relocating heavy dressers.
Preparing Your Dresser for Moving
Once you understand the weight and challenges, preparation becomes essential. Preparing the dresser correctly ensures safety and prevents damage.
Disassemble When Possible
One of the most effective ways to reduce the weight and bulk of a dresser is by disassembling it. Most dressers have drawers that can be removed, and some also allow the top, legs, or back panels to detach.
Benefits of disassembly include:
- Reducing total weight by 30–50 pounds (14–23 kg) depending on contents.
- Preventing drawers from shifting during transport.
- Making it easier to navigate tight spaces.
Emptying and Packing Drawers
Even if the dresser cannot be fully disassembled, emptying the drawers is a must. This not only reduces weight but also prevents internal items from causing imbalance.
Tips for packing drawers:
- Place clothing or soft items inside moving boxes rather than leaving them in the drawers.
- Wrap delicate items like jewelry or electronics separately.
- Label boxes clearly to know which drawers they belong to.
Protecting Furniture
Protecting the dresser is as important as preparing it. Use moving blankets, padded covers, or cardboard to cover edges and corners.
- Wrap corners with extra padding to prevent dents.
- Cover surfaces with blankets to avoid scratches.
- Secure coverings with tape or straps for stability.
Safe Lifting and Carrying Techniques
Even with preparation, lifting a heavy dresser incorrectly can cause serious injuries. Following proper techniques is crucial.
Lifting Basics
- Lift with your legs, not your back. Squat down, keep your back straight, and push upward with your leg muscles.
- Keep the load close to your chest to maintain balance.
- Avoid twisting your torso; instead, pivot at your feet when turning.
Statistics from occupational safety studies show that improper lifting accounts for over 60% of moving-related injuries, making proper technique essential.
Team Lifting
For most heavy dressers, lifting alone is not advisable. Two or more people working together significantly reduce injury risk.
Team lifting tips:
- Communicate clearly using cues like “lift,” “stop,” or “slow.”
- Ensure each person knows their role in the lift.
- Move slowly and steadily to maintain balance.
Using Moving Equipment
Equipment such as dollies, hand trucks, and sliders makes moving heavy furniture far safer.
- Furniture dollies: Ideal for rolling dressers across flat surfaces.
- Hand trucks: Useful for taller dressers or vertical moves.
- Furniture sliders: Help glide dressers across floors without scratching.
Proper equipment can make a 200-pound dresser feel much lighter and reduce strain.
Organizing the Move
Preparation, lifting, and equipment are only part of the process. Organization ensures efficiency and reduces stress.
Moving Day Checklist
- Have a clear path from room to truck.
- Ensure moving equipment is ready and in working order.
- Keep extra blankets, straps, and padding handy.
- Coordinate helpers or professional movers from My Good Movers if needed.
Prioritize Safety and Health
Moving heavy furniture is physically demanding. Movers should:
- Take breaks frequently.
- Stay hydrated.
- Stretch before and after lifting.
- Listen to their bodies and avoid overexertion.
Even short breaks and proper hydration reduce the likelihood of injuries significantly.
Additional Tips for Handling Heavy Dressers
Besides lifting and moving, a few extra tips can make the process smoother and safer.
Use Proper Footwear
Closed-toe shoes with good grip prevent slips and protect toes from heavy furniture accidents.
Avoid Rushing
Moving too quickly can lead to accidents, especially on stairs or through tight spaces. Take time to position and lift each item carefully.
Protect Floors and Walls
Use cardboard, rugs, or sheets to prevent scratches on hardwood, tile, or laminate flooring. Door frames and walls should be padded with blankets when maneuvering large items.
Plan for Truck Loading
- Load heavy items like dressers first for stability.
- Place lighter boxes on top to avoid crushing.
- Use straps to secure furniture during transit.
Why Professional Help Can Make a Difference
Sometimes, hiring professionals is the safest and most efficient option. My Good Movers, a trusted moving directory, lists reliable movers trained in handling heavy furniture safely. Professionals bring:
- Proper lifting techniques and team coordination.
- Specialized equipment like dollies, lifts, and protective padding.
- Experience navigating tight spaces and staircases.
- Insurance coverage for peace of mind.
Hiring trained movers reduces the risk of personal injury and damage to furniture, walls, or floors.
Final Thoughts
Moving a heavy dresser is not a simple task. From preparation to lifting, packing, and transport, every step requires care and attention.
Following the tips above, using proper tools, and leveraging professional help when needed can make the process safer, faster, and less stressful.
Remember, understanding dresser weigh and planning the move around its size and weight is key to avoiding injury and damage.
Whether doing it yourself or hiring movers from My Good Movers, smart preparation ensures that moving day is manageable and successful.
By taking a strategic approach, prioritizing safety, and using proper techniques and tools, even the heaviest dressers can be moved confidently. Moving doesn’t have to be stressful — just well-planned.