This is one of the most common moving questions, and the answer is not simply yes or no. It depends on the type of move, the type of dresser, and what your movers allow. Getting it wrong means either wasting hours emptying drawers unnecessarily or dealing with a broken dresser on the other end. Here is the practical answer.
For local moves under 50 miles with professional movers, leaving soft items in dresser drawers is generally fine. Clothes, linens, towels, and socks add weight but will not damage the dresser if it is handled properly. Most local movers expect this and will wrap the dresser with stretch wrap to keep drawers from sliding out during transport. The key restriction is weight. A solid wood dresser already weighs 100 to 150 pounds empty. Adding 30 to 50 pounds of clothing makes it manageable for two experienced movers. But heavy items like books, shoes, or electronics should never stay in drawers because they shift during transport and can crack drawer bottoms or damage the dresser frame.
For long-distance moves over 100 miles, empty all dresser drawers. Long-distance movers charge by weight, so leaving clothes in adds cost. More importantly, dressers on long-distance moves endure more handling: loading, unloading, warehouse transfers, and potentially days in a truck. The repeated shifting puts stress on drawer joints and the dresser frame. Most long-distance moving companies require drawers to be emptied per their terms of service and will not cover damage to a dresser that was loaded with contents. Pack the clothes in wardrobe boxes or suitcases instead, and remove the drawers entirely if the dresser is going into storage or a moving container.
Never leave anything inside IKEA dressers, particle board furniture, or any flat-pack assembled piece. These are designed for stationary use and are not structurally rated for the stress of being carried while loaded. The cam locks and dowels that hold particle board furniture together can fail under the extra weight, causing the piece to collapse. Many movers will refuse to move an IKEA dresser with contents, and if it breaks, the moving company will not cover the claim because you violated loading guidelines. For valuable IKEA pieces, consider disassembling them entirely for the move and reassembling at the destination.
If you are leaving clothes in a dresser for a local move, wrap the entire piece in stretch wrap to keep drawers from sliding open. Remove any knobs or handles that could catch on other items or break off. Place the dresser upright in the truck, not on its side or back. If drawers are loose fitting, remove them and stack them separately in the truck wrapped in blankets. For DIY moves, you can use painter tape across drawer fronts as a backup to stretch wrap. Never use duct tape directly on finished wood because it strips the finish. If you are renting a truck and moving yourself, place the dresser against a wall of the truck and secure it with straps.
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Most local movers will move a dresser with soft items like clothes and linens inside. Most long-distance movers require drawers to be emptied. Always confirm with your specific moving company before moving day.
For local moves charged by the hour, the extra weight is minimal. For long-distance moves charged by weight, clothes in a dresser add 30 to 50 pounds to the shipment, costing $15 to $50 extra. Pack clothes separately to save on long-distance costs.
Never leave heavy items (books, shoes), fragile items (electronics, jewelry), liquids (perfume, lotions), or valuables in dresser drawers. Only soft, lightweight items like folded clothes and linens are acceptable for local moves.
Statistics and cost figures are based on industry averages and publicly available data, provided for informational purposes.
Data last reviewed: March 2026. Learn about our data
