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Homeowners might need to remove dresser drawers for some reason. For instance, you might have to clean your old antique oak dresser and reach those tricky corners. Another possible reason is your dresser might show telltale wear-and-tear signs, which means a quick drawer fix or replacement.
Or maybe you’re moving to a new house, which will require dismantling furniture parts for easier transport. Imagine lugging around a large 10 drawer dresser or an oversized dresser to your new bedroom. Whatever your reason for removing drawers from dressers is, don’t panic. It’s an easy DIY job, provided you follow these instructions on how to remove drawers from dresser furnishings.
This guide will tell you how to remove drawers from dressers using the most common dresser drawer types.
How to Remove Dresser Drawers with Bottom Slides
The secret to removing dresser drawers, whether you have a white 8 drawer dresser or a black 9 drawer dresser, is knowing what slide type is installed.
One of the most common drawer slide types, including in small dressers, is the bottom slide or under-mount drawer slide.
These slides are installed with an L-shaped bracket along with a sliding track and are constructed in wider drawers, like this truffle dresser from Aspen Home Furniture.
Your dresser will also have an underside clip attached to the slide track. The upper hand of having a dresser with this slide mechanism is a concealed slide track.
Its sleeker look is ideal for small bedrooms or those who enjoy a minimalist aesthetic, like with affordable white and wood dressers. On the flip side, dressers with this drawer slide type are relatively more expensive than others.
Here’s how to remove dresser drawers with bottom slides:
- Pull the dresser drawer as far as you can. Make sure it doesn’t come out entirely.
- Check if there are locking mechanisms installed before removing the dresser drawers. These mechanisms could be buttons or levers. Press the button or lever before removing the drawer if you see one. You should hear a click once the drawer snaps from the slides.
- Firmly grab the drawer box. Wiggle it and lift it until you hear a click indicating the drawer is disengaged from the bottom slides.
Coaxing out Wood-Glide and Free-Rolling Drawers
If you're wondering how to take dresser drawers out that use wood glides or free-rolling systems, the process is often simpler. Start by gently pulling the drawer until it naturally stops. To get it out, tilt the drawer upward at the front to dislodge the glide from the track.
This method works well for how to remove drawers with stops found in older wooden dressers. You can also wiggle it side to side if it feels stuck. Once the drawer is free, lift it out carefully to avoid damaging the glide or track.
Freeing Metal-Glide Drawers with Levers
For dressers equipped with metal glides and levers, here's how to take a drawer out: pull the drawer until it stops and locate the release levers on each side of the drawer's glide mechanism.
Press both levers simultaneously (usually one lever goes up, and the other goes down) while pulling the drawer forward. This is a common solution for how to get dresser drawers out with modern metal slides. Make sure you support the drawer with both hands while disengaging the levers to avoid sudden drops.
Disassembling Drawers with Stabilizer Screws
Some drawers, especially those with center slides, are held in place by stabilizer screws. To get drawers out of a dresser, locate and unscrew the stabilizer screws that are often hidden near the back or sides of the slide.
Once unscrewed, you can lift and slide the drawer forward. This method works well when figuring out how to remove drawer slides that feel securely attached. Be cautious when unscrewing to avoid stripping the screws or damaging the drawer.
How to Remove Dresser Drawer with Center Slide
Center-mounted dresser drawer slides are the second-most common drawer slide type, often found in various styles like the silver dresser and rustic dresser, like this Avalon Furniture dresser from its Sophia Collection.
These slides are valued for their aesthetic discretion, being concealed from view, which complements the sleek look of a white gloss dresser or the elegant finish of a marble top dresser.
Dresser drawers with center slides aren’t appropriate for carrying heavier items. This is because the central slide mechanism is designed primarily for balance rather than brute strength.
Typically, these slides are installed in the middle of the dresser drawer, employing two rollers on each side to ensure smooth operation. This design is instrumental in keeping the drawer box perfectly aligned.
How to remove dresser drawer with center slide
- Check if the drawer has a locking mechanism, such as a button or lever. If it does, press the button or lever until you hear a click, which means the drawer is disengaged. Locking mechanisms might be more uncommon for center slides than bottom slides.
- Next is to check if the drawer has a pull-out guard. This is a piece of a plastic flap that looks like a semi-circle attached and connected at the back of the drawer. The purpose of pull-out guards is to prevent dresser drawers from sliding all the way out.
- Exert effort lifting the drawer to disengage it from the slide’s track. Wiggle the drawer a bit to get it unstuck.
Pro Tip: Some bottom or center drawer slides might not disengage from the track, no matter how hard you wiggle and lift. This might mean there is debris blocking the tracks. If this happens, get a putty knife and run it along the tracks.
Removing Drawers with Anti-Tip Cables
Some dresser drawers have safety mechanisms like anti-tip cables to prevent the drawer from tipping over. To remove these, first detach the cable from the back of the drawer by unscrewing or unclipping it, depending on the model.
Once the cable is detached, you can follow standard removal methods to complete how to get a drawer off the track safely. Anti-tip mechanisms are often found in children's furniture, so it's important to handle them with care to avoid damage to the cable system.
How to Remove a Drawer Without Knowing the Type of Slide
Sometimes, you may not know what kind of slide mechanism your dresser uses. In these cases, the key is to test the drawer carefully before forcing anything.
Start by pulling the drawer out as far as it will go without resistance. If you feel it stop, look underneath the drawer or on the sides for clues—there might be levers, screws, or stoppers that need to be disengaged.
If you're unsure how to take a drawer out of a dresser with hidden mechanisms, gently tilt the front upward and see if it loosens. This method works well for how to remove drawers with stops in older dressers, especially those with wooden tracks.
For modern dresser furnitures, check for metal glides that may have a simple release mechanism, often levers or buttons that allow you to slide the drawer off the track.
If you find yourself in a situation where the drawer feels stuck, it might be off its track.
Here's how to get a drawer off the track: Gently tilt the drawer and apply light pressure to realign it with the glides. If it's still difficult, try removing it completely by disengaging any clips or screws along the glide mechanism.
For those unsure about how to remove drawer slides or how to take apart the entire mechanism, it's always a good idea to look for the manual of the furniture piece. Many modern dressers have detailed instructions available online, which can guide you through how to get dresser drawers out without damaging the slides or the frame.
When in doubt, be gentle—forcing a drawer could damage both the drawer and the dresser itself. By carefully assessing how the drawer is constructed, you can safely remove it and perform maintenance or cleaning without causing harm.
Learning to Get Drawers from Your Dresser
Knowing how to remove drawers from dressers is crucial, especially if you regularly clean or move homes. The first thing to know is the type of dresser you have. Most importantly, buying a reliable dresser with sturdy drawer construction is recommended to prevent buying replacements every few years.
Looking for the best piece for your bedroom? Local Furniture Outlet offers all kinds of wood dressers for sale. Whether you want a wood dresser or something modern and simple, we have every design in our dresser collection. Shop now and get free shipping for all orders.
